www.chatterboxnews.co.uk

ChatterboxStories from the Black Isle

GHOST STORIES

published jointly byChatterbox Newsgroup

andBlack Isle Writers Group

for the Black Isle

Winter issue (No.59)

44 pages

£1.30

Young journalists

12Young journalists from Fortrose Academy have submitted a pageful of items about their school. Read “Skool Daze.”

Citizenship Award

5The winner is selected for the first Chatterbox award of its kind.“… and the winner is …”!

Black Isle Mozart

16A memorable performance of Mozart under the formidably able baton of Alasdair Nicolson

Bowls

33Avoch Outdoor Bowls Club is looking for new members. Read the Secretary’s end of year report.

Cromarty Church

35Some surprising discoveries have been made during the restoration of Cromarty East Church.

Freewith this issue

GHOST STORIESPlease ask your newsagent if you haven’t got your copy

NEWS & LOCAL AFFAIRS

PEOPLE, GROUPS & EVENTS

PUBLIC INFORMATION

LOOKING BACK

STORIES

4 Community Council election results; Flood risk update5 Henrietta bridge; Chatterbox Citizenship Award6 Sutor Creek recipe7 Seat on railway line; Community cafe; Harbour deepening8 Chatterbox changes; Avoch fundraising; Rosemarkie bridge9 Letters

10 Killearnan minister; Community Council leavers; Ferintosh walk; Youth achievements; Dingwall Gaelic Choir11 Charles Kennedy12 Fortrose Academy page13 Dave Thompson14 “How things change” - Sheena Munro15 ‘Poop’; Halloween; Black Isle Need to Play Association16 Black Isle Mozart17 BIM raffle winner; Councillors’ Corner - Isobel McCallum18 Community markets19 Fortrose harbour20 Donnie takes to the air21 Fortrose & Rosemarkie tennis22 “Gliding in Belgium” - Sandy Mitchell24/5 Killearnan Memories exhibition; Scottish ploughing championships26 Archaeology; Bambee; “The Final Inspection”27 Fortrose & Rosemarkie parish history - review

28 Railway line footpath29 Free energy advice

30 Trading standards advice31 Audio description32 Weather stats; Wildlife walk; Delivery charges survey; “Move it to lose it”33 Avoch Outdoor Bowls Club

34 Fisher lassies, “Life at the Herrin’” - HAP35 Cromarty East Church - David Alston36 Remembrance

37 Macross Scotmid Prize Crossword

38 Nature Notes40 “Me and my pills”; Writing Group41 Wartime memories - Betty Ross42 Avoch Congregational Church pictures43 “Image Man,” Peter McNicol by Sandy Mitchell44 British Heart Foundation

Page

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.

Post, phone or e-mailPlease send in your stories, letters and adverts

(Chatterbox depends on them!) to

The Editor, Chatterbox Community Newsgroup18 Mackenzie Place, Avoch IV9 8QP

or telephone 01381 621243

or by Email, to editor@chatterboxnews.co.uk

EditorialEditor: Mike Noble editor@chatterboxnews.co.uk

Story writers: Sandy Mitchell Kitty McWilliam Jim Thomson Claire Divine and you?

Design: Mike Noble

ProductionLayout: Mike Noble

Advertising: Mike Noble Linda Bailey Printing: Sandy Mitchell Rogan Divine

Distribution: Kitty McWilliam

AdministrationSecretary: Claire Divine admin@chatterboxnews.co.uk

Treasurer: Margaret Leggatt

Chairman: Sandy Mitchell chair@chatterboxnews.co.uk

Advertising ratesOur rates for 2011 are based on 60p and 72p per column centimetre for B&W and colour respectively (using our standard 7-column page layout). A panel the size of this one (this is a full 3-column panel) currently costs £50.22 for a single insertion on a B&W page or £60.26 in colour. We give 10% discount for block-booked adverts (4 over a calendar year) and an extra 5% discount for pre-payment. We advertise voluntary groups and social announcements without charge.Please refer to our website for our various advert sizes & charges.

ChatterboxThe Highlands’ premiere community news magazine

Founded by Jack Malpas, September 1997

Copyright

Printed on our own Konica Minolta Bizhub C451and published for the Black Isle quarterly in Avoch

by

Chatterbox Community Newsgroup

Subscribe by writing toClaire Divine, Hon. Sec., 18 Mackenzie Place, Avoch IV9 8QP

or atsubscribe@chatterboxnews.co.uk

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 expressed opinions or beliefs are supported or promoted by Chatterbox or any of its production team members.

ChatterboxWinter 2011 (No. 59)

CONTENTS…

Chatterbox Community Awardssee page

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Onwards…Editorial Mike Noble

It has often been suggested that we should make Chatterbox a Black Isle-wide publication and the production team has for a long time been very sympathetic to this idea. However, we always felt that there just weren’t enough people to do the work involved in making that sort of expansion. However, things are now moving forward; for the Spring issue we will have a new Layout Manager, Russell Turner, and Claire Divine, our Secretary, will move into the Editor’s role from the start of the New Year. So we’ve decided to acknowledge what is already an effective reality (we get contributions from all round the Black Isle) and have agreed that this is the time to set our sights wider and aim to become a Black Isle community news magazine. So my parting shot as Editor is to welcome you to the first official Black Isle Chatterbox! Of course, we intend to stay loyal to our Avoch roots and to still fulfil the role for which the magazine was started by our founder, Jack Malpas, in 1997. We are totally dependent on the contributions received from you, our readers and advertisers, so please keep sending them in! When I started in 2002, sixteen black & white pages was a substantial achievement; we’re now up to 44 as standard, so there should be plenty of room for all your news and views. So, as this is my last issue as Editor, I want to thank you all for what has, overall, been a great pleasure and I hope that, with your continued support, Claire and the team will get as much out of it as I have. Finally - a plea for more volunteers! We need you all! Just taking on a small job for us could be extremely helpful.

Best wishes to you allMike

Next Issuein early March

Press date will be7th February

We always do our best, but we regret we cannot

guarantee the inclusion of any material received after

the press date

Cover photograph by Alasdair CameronScottish ploughing championships - p25

Chatterbox photo

Chatterbox photo

Flood risk updateSandy Mitchell’s report on Avoch burnis on p4

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Chatterbox photo

Harbour worksSee Jim Thomson’s article on p7

Craning-out dayat Avoch Harbour, 15 October

High tide seen downstream from Henrietta Bridge.

Photo by Sandy Mitchell

NEWS & LOCAL AFFAIRS

Get Chatterbox by postYou can have a year’s Chatterboxes (4 issues) sent to you for £10.00

A great gift for yourself or a friendFill in this coupon and send to Claire Divine, Chatterbox Secretary, 18 Mackenzie Place, Avoch IV9 8QP together with your payment of £10.00 for each subscription (cheques payable to Chatterbox Community Newsgroup, please)

Your name and address and email addressfor billing enquiries etc.

The name and address where you want Chatterbox delivered

4

Community Council Elections

Wednesday 16 November 2011 was election day for Community Councils around the Highland Region. On the Black Isle elections were held at Cromarty and at Fortrose & Rosemarkie, but for the remainder of Black Isle CCs no poll took place, since the number of candidates nominated was equal to or less than the number of councillors to be returned. Membership of the new Black Isle CCs is as follows;

Avoch & Killen -David Alexander Skinner, Kate Lackie, Andrew Gill, Angus Anderson McWilliam, Margaret Dobie Leggatt, Sarah Dunton, Phil Baarda, Dawn Walker.

Cromarty -Gabriele Pearson, Ann Short MBE, Bill Wall, Julie Kathleen Penwright, Helen Elliott, Ronald Young, Vivienne Janice Plampton.

Ferintosh - Bruce Morrison, Colin Campbell Craig, Joan More, Sally Falconer, Carlton Charles Rocke.

Fortrose & Rosemarkie -Gerry McGarry, Okain McLennan, Archie MacLeod, Anne Phillips, James Cornwell, Libby Brown, Ewen Cameron Wylie, Neil Campbell MacLeod, Jennifer Mary Barclay.

Killearnan -George Duncan Bethune, John Duncan MacKintosh, Stephen Jonathan Hudson, Alasdair Cameron, Sandra Bain, Hugh MacPherson, Andrew Peter MacKay.

Knockbain -Jill Tilford, Tony Morey, Kate Jane Kirsten Mackay, John Lynn Stott, Johnston Bellshaw, Angela Dawn Biggar, Owen Peter Smith.

Resolis -Duncan W Ross, Alister James Matheson, Iain George Thorne, Norma Elizabeth Holm, Marion Veronica Campbell.

The maximum membership of each of the 156 Highland Community Councils is determined by the population it serves and varies from 7 - 13 members.Any enquiries regarding elections in Highland should be made to John Bruce, Elections Manager, Council Offices, High Street, Dingwall, Ross-shire IV15 9QN Tel: 01349 868524 Mobile: 0788 750 3221 email: election@highland.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can submit your comments via the Highland Council’s online form at www.highland.gov.uk.

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Concern about the possibilty of the lower part of Avoch being flooded from the burn above Henrietta Bridge goes back many years. In my time in Avoch - since 2001 - the water level has several times almost reached the top of the bank on the east side of the burn between the bridge and the field between the play-park and the sheltered housing in Gowans Place. The official SEPA flood-risk map - available on-line - shows the area being at risk from the burn overflowing. The worry is that sooner or later there will be a combination of a very high spring tide and heavy rains leading to a big spate in the burn. I raised this first with the Community Council in 2006 and with Councillor Billy Barclay that year and again in 2007. Mr Barclay agreed with my assessment and went so far as offering his own equipment to construct a bank along that east side of the burn. However the offer was turned down by Highland Council - I gather on technical, legal and insurance grounds. There was a further significant event on 4 February this year. That day the very high tide added to the effect of a sudden snow-melt and some but not excessive rainfall. I took some photographs showing the water within about a foot of the top of the

Avoch Flood Risk UpdateSandy Mitchell

bank upstream of the bridge and at the playing field. I mentioned this again to Councillor Barclay but it was not until the opening of the new play-park this summer that I passed on these photographs to Mr Barclay who delivered them to the Principal Engineer, TEC Services, Dingwall. I was then contacted by the Engineer and wrote a formal letter to his department outlining our concerns. He told me that a Flood Prevention Team had recently been set up to look into flood-risks and flood-prevention plans for the whole of Highland Region. I was recently contacted by a member of that team and on 11 October had a visit from one of their officials. I explained the issue and its history and together we walked to the bridge and along the burn to the park - where the official took photographs. He seemed to agree with the potential risk and said he would report back to his line-manager. Needless to say he also said it, in the end, came down to money and priorities. However, he did think that a raising of the bank would be possible and should not prove too expensive. He promised to give feedback to Councillor Barclay who would pass on information to the Community Council and others concerned. That is how things stand at the time of writing.

High tide after 2 days of rainfall and snow melt, 4 February 2011. Picture of Avoch Burn taken at the ‘Parkie,’ a little above Henrietta Bridge. Photo by Sandy Mitchell

We asked whether YOU know someone who you think deserves a pat on the back for the work they do in their community and announced that we would promote a Citizenship Award, for just this purpose. We had a good response to our request for nominations, which just left the Chatterbox committee with the incredibly difficult task of choosing one. There was a substantial number of nominees, any one of whom would have made a very deserving winner and it would have been good to be able to honour them all. So the judges agreed that the award should not be regarded as a competition, but just as a bonus for one deserving individual - a pat on the back, as we said at first. It was really heartening to see how many people are valued for the work they do in their communities. The winner chosen for the Chatterbox 2011 Citizenship Award was Colin Miller of Waterfurrows, Fortrose. The judges were impressed by his unprompted application to the task of maintaining the much-used railway line footpath (between Fortrose and Avoch), completely self-motivated and alone, and by the fact that he did not appear to be looking for any sort of recognition of his work, in fact shunning any publicity whatever. Colin has won an engraved glass decanter and a cash prize of £100, which will be presented to him some time soon. The judges recognised that it may be necessary to respect his aversion to publicity and make the presentation a private affair, so for the tme being we’ll just say,

“THANKS, COLIN, AND CONGRATULATIONS.”

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Black Isle bridge repairs

completedTuesday 1 November 2011

Repairs to a listed masonry arch bridge on the Black Isle have been completed on time and within budget.

Henrietta Bridge, in Avoch, suffered serious damage and partial collapse in the severe winter of 2009/10, forcing The Highland Council to close it to the public, pending work to establish the viability and likely cost of repair.

Following investigation of the structure, which dates from around 1830, the Council opted to rebuild the collapsed corner/spandrel of the bridge and to carry out other much-needed improvements to the structure.

The works included masonry repairs to the arch, spandrel wall and parapet. New backfill to the arch and drainage were also installed. The construction cost was £91,000.

Listed Building Consent was required, imposing specific conditions on the work to be done. Working with contractor McGregor Construction (Highlands) Ltd. and Historic Scotland, these conditions were discharged and works started 15th August 2011.

Work is now complete and the bridge has reopened to public use, with a protective weight limit of 3 tonnes, re-establishing the link between the Fishertown and Henrietta Street.

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.

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There is nothing better than a hot cup of tea and some delicious home-baking to warm yourself up during these cold winter days. I really enjoy reading the old recipe books such as Mrs Beeton, Elizabeth David and Nell Heaton for ideas and inspiration - their cakes and fruit loaf recipes are hard to beat! A popular treat at Sutor Creek is my Whisky Fruit Loaf… easy to make and great for sharing with friends.

WHISKY FRUIT LOAF1lb butter1lb sugar6 eggsTsp mixed spice2lb mixed fruit (soaked in 100ml of whisky overnight)1lb 12 oz plain flour

Method:Cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time.Mix in all the other ingredients.Place mixture into a greased bread pan and bake at Gas Mark 4/180°C for about 30 minutes. The fruit loaf is ready when a knife can be inserted into the centre and removed clean.

GLAZE100ml water100g sugar50ml whisky

Method:Put all glaze ingredients in a saucepan and reduce slowly by half.When the fruit loaf is cool, brush some of the glaze over the top, allowing it to be absorbed before repeating.

Enjoy with a hot cup of tea or a wee dram!

Sutor Creek Café serves a selection of home-baking including chocolate and honeycomb cake, fruit and plain scones, flapjacks and gingerbread.

Open Wednesday through Sunday 11am-9pm (closed January 1st-27th).Wood-fired pizzas served from 11-9pmLunch served 12-2pmDinner served 6-8pm

01381 600 855

www.sutorcreek.co.uk

Recipes from Sutor Creek

Whisky fruit loaf

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Avoch Community

CaféAvoch Amenities Association has started running a new venture - a Community Café, upstairs in the Community Centre on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 10am - 12noon.

Fresh coffee, tea, hot chocolate, fruit teas and biscuits are on offer for only £1. A warm welcome awaits if you pop in and see them.

There’s wi-fi available (courtesy of Chatterbox), a chess and games table, a toddler table and book swap. The AAA is also running a Christmas stall - and more.

Jenye Monckton says, “We are encouraging members of the community to come in to the warm and have a cuppa with their fellow villagers and catch up on any local news. Wanda Mackay and Fortrose Academy students will be on hand with computers to show anyone who is interested how to have a go on them.”

Plans are also being developed for a community market on Saturday 3 December at the Centre.

The AAA AGM was to be held on Wednesday 16 Nov but in the event this was not possible and a new date is to be announced. The Association is hoping to get new members and supporters to help with the project to develop the downstairs hall of the Community Centre to form a user-friendly community venue. If you live in the Parish you are eligible for free membership, so do keep an eye open for the new date and go along and enrol, if you haven’t already done so, to give you a vote in AAA affairs.

Harbour deepenedLarge excavators were hard at work at Avoch Harbour during a week in November, deepening the old harbour basin. In the face of the present financial climate the Harbour Board made money available from its reserve fund of harbour dues for this important project. The target in the pontoon area was for one metre of extra depth but one and a half metres has actually been achieved, giving an extra one to one and a half hours sailing time and low water neap tide access for harbour users. Residue rock has been dispersed in the roadside corners as protection outside the east wall and the area between the two tyre walls has been filled, allowing vehicle access to the east wall at all states of the tide. A temporary slipway access has also been created with rock rolled into place. Gwyn Tanner said that G.F. Job Ltd., Nairn, had done an excellent job of the excavation work and that wall ladders are still to be removed, extended, lengthened and then replaced by A. Grigor & Co., Rosemarkie.

Please be seated

Late November, the mild weather continues and here’s good news for the many who use the old railway line to Fortrose. Avoch Heritage Society has funded a fine bench for you to take a breather and enjoy the view as you make your way along this well-used track. Placed next to the Culloden commemorative stone, half-way between the two villages, its siting is excellent, with a view out over the Firth through gaps in the trees. Jane Patience has organized the supply and placement of the bench. One of the contractors working on the path (part of Highland Council's commitment to the Core Paths Network) has installed it. It carries a plaque bearing the legend "Avoch Heritage Society.” Whilst the Heritage Society is closing down, members are keen to make best use of the remaining funds - most of which have been generated by sale of the fine Association book telling the story of Rosehaugh House and estate. Some of this money was also used to pay for a seat and one of the swings in the recently refurbished and re-equipped Avoch playpark.

No café news

There is no news of progress with the Avoch harbourside café which Penelope Keith and her husband have proposed for the Old Filling Station site. We hear that the project is being reconsidered to take account of changed family circumstances, but have been reassured that it will still go ahead when the current delay has been resolved. The community’s enthusiasm to see the project up and running will have to be contained a little longer!

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Bridge warningRosemarkie Bridge, on the A832 Fortrose - Cromarty road, is currently being repaired, having suffered damage as a result of the severe frost experienced during the last winters. The bridge crosses the Rosemarkie Burn adjacent to what is locally known as Fairy Glen, on the Cromarty side of Rosemarkie. From Thursday 17 November until further notice (expected to be just before Christmas), traffic will be diverted from the existing masonry bridge on to a temporary diversion immediately downstream of the existing bridge. The diversionary route is narrow with tight bends. It will be single way working with traffic lights. Large vehicles are encouraged to use an alternative route, such as via Culbokie and Cullicudden. The contractor is Morgan Sindall. The value of the works is £300,000.

Avoch Amenities Association has published a calendar of proposed possible fundraising activities for 2011 and into 2012. Jenny Findlay, the Association’s Treasurer, says that these are not “set in stone” and other ideas will also be considered, so please contact AAA if you are able to help in any way with any of these:

December 31st

Family Hogmanay Evening -Outdoors, 7pm till late

January 28th

Bring and Buy, 10am-12noon

February 24th

Quiz Night, 7-10pm

March 31st

Family Day - Easter Egg Hunt, 2-4pm

April 28th

Soup and Sweet, 12-2pm

May 26th

Basket Whist and Beetle Drive, 7-10pm

June 29th

Gala, 1-4pm

Other possibilites raised at the Association’s meeting on 16 November were:• A Burns’ Night Supper

• A community dinner with celebrity guest.

It was reported at this meeting that the expense of running the Avoch Community Centre now amounts to more than £10,000 per year, so a substantial fundraising effort is needed and volunteers are urgently needed for this.

Unfortunately the Amenities Association was unable to hold its AGM at this meeting and a new date will be notified shortly.

The subject of the old tennis courts and the possibility of their sale was discussed at length at this meeting, without reaching any firm conclusion as to what was to be done. Much concern was voiced about the cost of the upkeep of the Community Centre and the strain which this puts on the community, likening it to a large and empty hole which we keep pouring our resources into, without any lasting benefit. Several people suggested that it might be better to concentrate on the property which AAA owns at the Bowling Green and tennis courts. The Community Centre is not at present a saleable asset for the Association and it was agreed to explore what possibility there may be for obtaining a transfer of land ownership to overcome this problem.

Avoch fundraisingNew blood at Chatterbox

The New Year will bring big changes in the Chatterbox Production Team. Claire Divine, our Secretary for a number of years now, will take on the Editor’s role, meaning that a new Secretary will now have to be found and Russell Turner will become our new Layout Manager, allowing Mike to retire after ten full years of editing and producing the magazine.

Claire is well known in Avoch, as she has been here for 13 years. She was Community Council Secretary for a couple of years and has been with Chatterbox as Secretary since she can't remember!

Russell Turner is 53 and comes from Wakefield in Yorkshire. Since 1978 he has worked on newspapers in Yorkshire, Cumbria and Scotland, first as a reporter then as a sub-editor. In 1994 he joined the Highland News and was deputy editor from 1995 to 2000 when he stood down to finish writing a novel – one of several still looking for a publisher.

From 2001 he subbed on the Inverness Courier, then the Ross-shire Journal, until 2004 when he became web editor for Scottish Provincial Press, the company that publishes most of the north of Scotland's weekly papers. He left in 2008 to become a freelance journalist, designer and website provider.

Russell's interests include motorcycling and photography. He is co-author of the photo book Eilean Dubh – The Black Isle, which was published this year and which he designed and produced. He has played bass guitar in several pub rock bands; the most recent, Strawdogs, made its debut in November. He is married and lives in Newhall with a cat and some visiting pine martens. His website is www.russellturner.org

Naturally, there will be a changeover period where the current Editor, Mike Noble, expects to continue to be substantially involved, but the whole team is now confident that Chatterbox will remain in good hands and there is every expectation that it will continue to go from strength to strength. Mike says, “I want to stay involved after the newcomers have found their feet (I don’t expect that to take very long!) and hope to be able to help to expand the magazine into its new role as a publication for the Black Isle as a whole, which we feel we now have a realistic hope of achieving.”

However, be in no doubt that Chatterbox still needs plenty more people involved in its production, so if you would like to help, please get in touch. The biggest need is for a secretary and reporters to contribute details of activities in their own parts of the Black Isle. We all want to know what we’re all doing!

Avoch school playing fields

Over the last year Avoch School Playing Field became unuseable due to excess water lying on the surface. I was approached by two local Contractors, Barry Adams and Russell Mackenzie and they suggested that they would like to donate their time and machinery to improving the drainage in the lower end of the playing field. Rory Mackenzie of Wester Craiglands supplied the drainage pipes and the Highland Council’s Black Isle Ward Discretionary Budget supplied the gravel infill. Digger Driver, Craig Gill did an excellent job and hopefully this will be a good advert for his work. The work has now been completed and we have to wait and see if it is sufficient to solve the problem. This would not have happened without the community spirit of these individuals and hopefully the playingfield will soon be back to being used by the school.

Water mainREPLACEMENT OF WATER MAIN AT MACKENZIE PLACE, AVOCH.Over the last few years there has been considerable concern about burst pipes in Mackenzie Place, Avoch, which has damaged gardens and property. I am pleased that, after several requests, Scottish Water have finally agreed to put money towards replacing the water main. There will be considerable disruption to the area but in the long term it will be worthwhile. A special thank you to Joanna Peebles of Scottish Water who worked with me to convince her bosses that this job needed to be treated as having high priority. RegardsBilly Barclay

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JASMINE GARDENLTD

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High Street, AvochCHINESE TAKEAWAY

01381 620866

LETTERSSend to editor@chatterboxnews.co.uk or to The Editor, “Chatterbox”, 18 Mackenzie Place,Avoch IV9 8QP

9

Community CaféHiWe are planning to run an Amenities Association community café through the winter upstairs in the Avoch Community Centre on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10 until 12, until other bookings are forthcoming.Book exchange, tea and coffee £1, biscuits maybe, wifi, company and craic!Please can you pass info on - all ages welcome. No disabled access, unfortunately.Volunteers welcome. Donations welcome!See you there?Jenye

On 29th October we held a curry night for 85 people, to raiseboth money and awareness for Scottish Huntingtons Association. We provided a selection of curries, fundraising games and a big raffle. Thenight was a great success and we raised a huge £2700. We would liketo thank everyone who came on the night and those who donated money and raffle prizes. All the money raised will be put to the Invernessbranch and will benefit those in the Highlands with Huntingtons.Left to right in the photo: Jean Maclean, Caroline Macleman, Kimberley Leslie and Rachel Macleman.

Scottish Huntingtons Association

HorticulturalHelloFollowing my email last month notifying the postponement of the Annual General Meeting of the Black Isle Horticultural Society, please note that it will now be held on Friday 25 November at 7.30pm at the Seaforth Lodge, Station Square, Fortrose. As well as the AGM business the arrangements and Schedule for next year’s show will be discussed, so if you have views about the show and what classes there should be for exhibits, this is your opportunity.

Regards, Graham Sullivan, Secretary

R i c h a r d F r a n k l i n A v o c h

SnippersHair Salon

Station Road Fortrose 01381 622222

PEOPLE, GROUPS & EVENTS10C

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YouthAchievements

Wanda MacKayKelly Urquhart from Munlochy attended a week’s residential Dance Course at Altnacriche and passed her Level 1 Dancing Award in Dance Leadership; she also passed her Bronze Youth Achievement Award. Jerome Allison passed his SFA level 1 Football Coaching Award (Cromarty). I have had another 2 young people and 2 Adults successfully pass their Keeping Children Safe Child Protection course:• Jennifer Barclay Fortrose• Neil Urquhart Cromarty• Fraser Thomson Cromarty• Leanne Scott Kessock Also, four junior members in Cromarty Youth Cafe received their Dynamic Youth Awards at the beginning of November:• Emily Kelly• Nicole Macphee• Abby More• Billy Jo Mackay

3 people also got through their Heart Start Trainer in the Community Training:• Ronald Young• Marigold Cameron• Shona Cameron

New MinisterThe Killearnan Free Church congregation, which is joined to Maryburgh Free Church, has a new minister. Rev Alexander Stewart was inducted in September to the united charge of Maryburgh and Killearnan. Mr Stewart, who completed his studies at the Free Church College in May, belongs to Kyle. He is married to Florica and they have three children. The Sunday service in the Killearnan part of the congregation is at 12.30pm and takes place in the former Free Church Manse at Tore.

photo Sandy Sutherland

Choir gets top honours

Dingwall Gaelic Choir was awarded the Lovat and Tullibardine Shield, Gaelic choral music’s highest honour, at this year’s Royal National Mod in Stornoway. Under the direction of Kirsteen Menzies, the choir has reached the pinnacle of Gaelic choral singing in three of the four years since she took over as conductor.

Ferintosh environment

Lesley Robb“......yesterday’s walk was excellent. You both have a real talent for bringing the topics alive and making them interesting.’’ “That was a great night.’’ These were some of the comments we received after our October fungi walk. Indeed all of Ferintosh Environmental Group’s talks which ran between April and October were well received and, while adding to people’s knowledge and understanding of the subjects covered, have also opened new areas of personal interest for some people. In 2012, as part of an effort to eradicate mink from a large part of Scotland, the group hopes to become involved in a project to investigate the presence of mink in our area. The American mink is a non-native predator which has become established in Scotland and poses a threat to some of our native wildlife, feeding on a wide range of species including water vole and other small mammals, various ground nesting birds, and some fish including salmon and trout. The project involves setting rafts with soft clay pads in burns and rivers – if a mink walks on the clay it leaves footprints which can be identified. Where mink are found, they can be trapped and dispatched. For further information on this project, visit http://www.scottishmink.org.uk/. If you would like to get involved, please get in touch. If you want to be added to our contact list, or if you are no longer receiving e-mails from us (maybe because of a change of e-mail address), please contact Sheila at corntown@btinternet.com or Lesley on 01349 877224. Our next meeting will be on 8th February 2012 at 7pm in Ferintosh Hall, Easter Kinkell.

With the election of a new Community Council some of the old members retired. Caroline Eccles and Mike Noble were surprised and delighted when they received parting gifts from the remaining Council members.

Community Council cooks up a surprise

11

Eat Mair Fish

Mair Fish Ltd.Old Station Yard, Marine Place

Buckie AB56 1RQTel: 01542 832680

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

WESTMINSTER VIEW Charles Kennedy MPA new start for Libya

Probably the biggest news in the last months has been the liberation of Libya, where the Arab Spring has achieved perhaps its most remarkable result yet, tearing down one of the great tyrants of our age. I was truly heartened to see the passion for democracy of the Libyan people, and it is to be hoped that they will soon join their neighbours in Tunisia in holding free and fair elections to determine their own future. There is no escaping the fact that, for many Libyans, the moment of true liberation was the capture and killing of Colonel Gaddafi. It is very hard indeed to regret his death, but the manner of his killing and the parading of his body across the world's media give some cause for concern. For many, it would have been preferable for Gaddafi to face justice before the people he has oppressed for so long. Whatever really happened on the road from Sirte last month, the people of Libya will not now have the chance to see him answer for the wrongs he has done - and perhaps to get closer to the truth about the many crimes which he has committed against them and against others. The success of the military side of the UK’s intervention in Libya will come as a relief (not least to politicians) - and a debt is owed to the servicepeople who were involved. We went in with the backing of international institutions, with a clear focus on protection of civilian life and with the support of a large section of the Libyan people. It contrasts with Iraq, where Tony Blair and George Bush isolated themselves from the international community, built a case for war based on flawed and flimsy intelligence - and only concerned themselves with rebuilding peace once chaos and massive loss of human life had resulted. I am not known for praising the current Prime Minister, but he was right to reject triumphalism when the news of Gaddafi's death came through - and to think instead of the thousands of silenced victims of his long and brutal regime. There is a tough road ahead for the

people of Libya, but as they look for a peaceful, prosperous and democratic future they deserve our full support. There is good news from Tunisia as the results of a fair and democratic election emerge – with the turnout above 90%, something most Western countries can only dream of! The news elsewhere is more mixed: the Egyptian military still wields an alarming degree of power and commits human rights abuses regularly while people wait for fair and free elections. In Syria, the government continues to oppress its people with an iron fist, despite the recent intervention of the Arab League. We must hope that the reforming spirit of the Arab Spring sweeps away more dictators and ushers in a new age of democracy across the Near East.

Eurozone CrisisThe news this past month has been dominated by the trials and tribulations of the Eurozone countries. The collapse of Greece’s government, swiftly followed by the resignation of Berlusconi in crisis-ridden Italy, has raised fears of the much-dreaded domino effect toppling countries around Europe. It seems that we’re between a rock and a hard place – continued bailouts will put a huge strain on the public finances, but a Greek or Italian default would plunge the continent and the world into a devastating recession. All this seems to call into question the noble ideal of European unity. Can our separate and distinct nations work together towards our common goals without our interests colliding? Many Conservatives think not, wishing to avoid the crisis by avoiding the EU. I believe that they view an exit from Europe as a quick fix for all of our socio-economic ailments, when the truth is just the opposite. Our leaving the EU would only exacerbate the crisis and destroy

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market confidence both here and overseas. The EU is not perfect. I have opposed it on numerous occasions, fisheries law being just one example. It needs work, and in the current economic climate, it needs support - a lot of support. But we cannot just walk away from an organisation which has brought down the divisions between the nations of Europe and given us a new sense of common purpose as a continent. As neighbours we should be working with Europe to douse the flames and rebuild, not fuel the fire with talk of referendums and exit strategies. As a Liberal Democrat I believe we have a moral obligation to help our neighbours in Europe, but for those more hardnosed than I, there is an overwhelming economic argument. If you can strip away the rhetoric and sentiment that is heaped upon, and clouds, the issue, it becomes apparent just how important the EU is: to our jobs, to our growth, and to maintaining our place at the ‘top table’ of global politics.

New opportunities in the NorthWhile the economic situation internationally remains cloudy to say the least, it is good that we are finally seeing some concrete progress closer to home. The announcement that the sale of the Nigg Yard to Global Energy has been agreed - and that it is set to return to major activity spanning oil, gas and renewable energy with around 2,000 jobs on site by 2015 - could not have come at a better time. With the achievement of full status this summer by the University of the Highlands and Islands, it shows that research, development and manufacturing of marine renewable energy devices represents a serious economic prospect for our region. The continuing rise in unemployment, and youth unemployment in particular, shows how crucial this growing industry is. The bulk of the positions created at Nigg will be skilled, highly paid work, leading to new opportunities for young people to return to the Highlands after University. I look forward to more to come.

… we are finally seeing some concrete progress closer to home.

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Fortrose meets Russiaby Hannah Danson S2

This year, a group of fortunate Fortrose Academy pupils went to Russia in October and some Russian pupils from Perm came over here to experience Scottish culture. We talk to Mrs Boyer, PT Modern Languages, to learn more about it.

Q) How long has the Perm/Fortrose link been running?A) Since 2006.

Q) How does the trip benefit the participants?A) It lets them get a first-hand experience of what life is really like in Russia and meet people their own age.

Q) What was the highlight of the trip when they came over?A) Probably the ceilidh and the trip to Orkney which was fantastic and they really enjoyed it.

Q) What sort of things did they do over here?A) They went to Urquhart Castle, Inverness Kilt-making Exhibition , Glenmorangie whisky distillery, Shin Falls, Nairn Highland Games and Groam House Museum.

Q) Did you enjoy the trip when you went over to Russia?A)Yes! Everyone did.

Q) Is there a big cultural difference?A) Of course there are differences but there are lots of things the same. The food was a bit different and the pupils would say that they were fed up of sour cream and dill and were amazed by caviar-flavoured crisps!

Q) What sort of things did you do over there?A) We had three days in St Petersburg were we did lots of touristy things. In Perm we went to the Ballet and danced in the school Pushkin Ball. We visited underground ice caves and visited a factory that made pipes for deep sea drilling and we went for a two day trip to a place called Yekaterinburg to see where the last Tsar was killed. On the way back, we stopped in Moscow to visit The Kremlin and Red Square.

Q) Was the school very different to Fortrose Academy?A) It wasn’t as well equipped and was a bit more formal in behaviour. For example when a teacher goes into a classroom, the pupils must stand up. It didn’t offer the pupils as many practical subjects, like Home Economics and Business.

Q) What was the highlight of the trip?The pupils would probably say the Pushkin Ball or the bonfire and the Russian banya (like a sauna). I’m really looking forward to next time we go and hope that I’ll find another group of pupils keen to go with me!

NEW DEPUTE HEADby Eilidh Paterson (S2),Abigail Millar Todd

& Rebecca Setford (S1)Mrs Ross, Principal Teacher of Business Studies/ I.C.T. at Fortrose Academy has been promoted to become one of the Depute Rectors. We asked her a few questions about her new job:

Q) How long have you been a teacher? A) I have been a teacher for 21 years and first started at the old Millburn Academy in 1990 as a Business Studies teacher.

Q) Are you going to miss being head of Business Studies?A) Yes I will miss working with the teachers and my wonderful classes.

Q) Why did you apply for the Depute Head job?A)I have been teaching for a long time and it was time for a change and a challenge.

Q) Are you looking forward to working with your new colleagues?A)Yes, they are all fantastic, lovely people!

Q) Are you still going to work on the school news letter?A) Yes; part of my new job is to make sure the team does a good job!

Q) What are your responsibilities in your new job? A) Mainly looking after third year, though I have many others.

Q) Are you looking forward to using the tannoy?A) No! I hate the sound of my own voice!

We wish her well in her new job.

Bye, Miss Evans!Miss Evans, French teacher at Fortrose Academy, left on Friday the 28th October for Nairn. All of her pupils are bound to miss her terribly. Miss Evans had just started her 6th year at the school. This last term has gone really well but sadly she had to break the news to her classes about her leaving. When we asked her why she chose to go to Nairn, Miss Evans replied that she would enjoy a bit of a change, and the school is same distance from her home as Fortrose was. Even though she is looking forward to a new school, there are several things she’ll miss about Fortrose - the staff and pupils and the drive to work, especially the great view of Munlochy Bay.

On the 6th of October, Fortrose 2nd years took part in a book auction to raise funds for Mulanje, a village in Malawi.

What were the donations for?

The building of a school/community hall in Mulanje.

How long has the Malawi link been running?

Since 2005

How will this benefit the Malawians?

The school has no school hall for exams, assemblies, PE or extracurricular activities and community events like blood drives, weddings and evening classes.

How much did you raise?

£130 but we are having another book auction for the 1st years with a professional auctioneer from the Dingwall Mart called Daniel Hart.

Anything you would like to add?

SKOOL DAZEa flavour of Fortrose Academy

Articles prepared by a teamof young journalists at the Academy

Mr Fraser, technical teacher at Fortrose Academy created the design for the proposed hall for the school in Mulanje

Books for usFunds for Mulanje

by Hannah Danson, Sativa Alexander and Rachel Munro S2

Some of the money has helped towards the 2007 famine, Herbert’s house (a member of staff) and to refurbish the school in Mulanje

So far we have raised £1100 but we have £14,000 to go.

Such a phenomenon is now known as fuel poverty and is defined as the need to spend at least 10 per cent of household income on heating bills. Increasingly, as fuel prices rise, I am hearing the concern that this winter more people than ever before will find themselves in this situation. While the Scottish Government does not have the power to order a reduction in fuel prices, what Holyrood can do is offer assistance to make homes

more energy efficient, meaning that less fuel is wasted while maintaining temperatures in homes. Therefore I was delighted recently when Alex Neil, the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, was able to announce a 35 per cent expansion of funding for fuel poverty and energy efficiency programmes to £66.25 million by 2015. Mr Neil was also able to announce the immediate addition of £5 million for this winter’s Energy Assistance Package to allow an extra 7,000 people across Scotland to benefit from the reduction or elimination of the cost of improvements to make homes more energy-efficient.Heat is a basic need and I find it shocking that in an energy-rich

country like Scotland, so many find themselves struggling to meet the cost of keeping their homes warm.Fundamental changes are needed in the regulation of the energy market to tackle the root causes of soaring energy bills but the power to achieve this is reserved to Westminster and I am pleased that the Scottish Government is doing what it can to help.

Dave Thompson MSP

7 Nov 2011

13

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENTDave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson MSP

IT WAS a pleasure last month to bring a member of the Scottish Cabinet to the Black Isle, when I was joined at the Scottish Ploughing Championships at Tore by Richard Lochhead, our agriculture secretary.Richard was in Inverness for the SNP annual conference anyway and he was as keen as I was to see the country’s best ploughmen in action just across the Kessock Bridge so we eagerly grabbed the chance to break away from the city centre venue and meet the farming community. Fine weather accompanied us as we arrived at Croftcrunie, where the Paul and Gammie families had donated the use of about 250 acres for the competition and for the display of ploughing tackle ranging from early single-drill horse-drawn right through to the very latest eight-drill super machines. Richard and I were delighted to have the chance to meet and chat to many farmers who had been attracted to the Black Isle for the Championships and, on a local level, I was pleased to meet Fraser Maclennan, of Culbokie, who came along with his vintage Ford Major tractor. [see pic]As with all farming gatherings, the event drew interest from a wide area and we were treated to a fine array of trade stands and craft stalls, giving the event a real family feel in fine weather. There was more good news for Tore this month too when I was pleased to welcome the news that the school had been awarded almost £2,000 from the Big Lottery Fund’s 2014 Communities programme. This money will be used to bring in coaches from a local club to offer sports coaching to local children so, you never know, perhaps from this little funding acorn we may one day see the

growing success of a child whose interest in sport is awakened by the mentoring that will be offered through this very worthwhile project. As I write this, I am also awaiting the arrival of Heather Fulton (who teaches Modern Studies at Dingwall Academy) and 25 fifth year pupils at Holyrood on Thursday 10th. They are travelling to Edinburgh to learn for themselves how Scotland is governed and what MSPs like me do all day.

During their tour of the Parliament, I will join a question and answer session with the pupils and Miss Fulton and will do what I can to send them back up the A9 better informed and hopefully enthused about how their area is represented at Parliament. As winter draws nearer, national attention is beginning to fall on the number of people who find the high cost of heating their homes leaves them faced with an unpalatable choice between staying warm or saving money to spend on other essentials, such as food.

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I hold regular surgeries and advertise these in local newspapers. I am always happy to hear from you. No matter how small the problem is, I always do my very best to help.

Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch (SNP)including Dingwall, Black Isle, Aird and Loch Ness“A man who gets things done”Constituency Office: Thorfin House, Bridgend Business Park,Dingwall, Ross-shire, IV15 9SLPhone: 01349 864701 Fax: 01349 866327Email: dave.thompson.msp@scottish.parliament.ukwww.davethompsonmsp.org

Standing up for the Highlands and IslandsStanding up for you

Dave Thompson MSP and agriculture secretary Richard Lochhead join Rab Birrell, vice-chairman of the Scottish Ploughing Championships, to admire Fraser Maclennan of Culbokie’s vintage Ford Major tractor during the ploughing championships at Tore.

In BriefDaffodilsMunro’s Nurseries have given 2 large bags of daffodils to Munlochy Primary School to be planted in front of the school sign by the road side. In the event, the children couldn’t plant them themselves because of the danger from passing traffic, but we’re looking forward to getting a good photo when the flowers come out in the spring.

The Secret Lives of Mammalswith Ro Scott -winter social to be held on Friday 2nd December in Ferintosh Hall, Easter Kinkell.Ever wondered about those footprints you saw in the snow or animal droppings you’ve seen in your garden?

Ro Scott has worked on mammals in the Highlands for many years. She is the co-ordinator of the Highland Mammal Atlas which is published this year. She will talk about mammals found in our area – and where to look and what to look for.

If you’ve got questions or items of interest, please bring them along.

MARTIN GILL               Gill Garden Supplies & Quarry Products

 Easter Templand Farm, FortroseTelephone 01381 620308 / 07768 564458

email gill@templand.netWe 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.

McEye

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When we arrived in the Black Isle almost half a century ago – that does make me feel old – we frankly anticipated staying for a year or two. The main link with ‘civilisation’, since at the time we did not even own a car, was a none too frequent bus service to Kessock and the ferry crossing to Inverness. Having come from a city (Inverness at that time was a long way from gaining that status), it took me some time to adjust to a different lifestyle. Of course, the charms of the ‘Bonnie Black Isle’ gradually wound round my heart, and I agreed that it would be a good place to bring up a young family, but …. We were fortunate that one or two other young families arrived at the same time to join those already resident. ‘Somewhere to PLAY’ was an immediate priority. We appealed to the then Town Council whose duty it was to oversee such facilities. They were mystified by our complaint: there was a ‘playground’, and there was a beach. What more did we need? We had already investigated the playground: a couple of swings, a slide and a roundabout, all in a near-lethal condition. The beach was there, but it was a long, long walk for pushchairs or prams (remember prams?) And anyway, there was the weather to be borne in mind. Accepting that in those days self-help was usually the answer to any problem, several young mums rolled up their sleeves and established the first playgroup. We reminisce still about the happy times in St Andrew’s Hall, the toys handed down from children who had moved up to school, the ‘story time’ and the ‘juice time’. Since those early days, indoor play facilities have grown up all over the Black Isle, and the

young population has seen exponential growth. The first time we set out, having at last acquired a car, to explore the area, we were very much aware of living in an agricultural area with a few smallish villages. How different it is now. Where once there were isolated cottages, now there are splendid modern houses. Sure, the original landscape is still there, but like a much painted-over Renaissance Old Master, it has in places become almost unrecognisable. And the process has not always been gradual. A friend visiting us recently after a few months confesses she had very nearly ‘got lost.’ Of course, people must have homes; and we should not be ‘NIMBY’-ish about sharing our beautiful home area with them. But we cannot help worrying and wondering about the quality of forward planning which surely must have taken place – or has it? Traffic seems to be suddenly so much heavier and faster moving. And that’s before all the new Ness Gap/Chanonry Bay development has been completed. Which takes us back half a century to our problem – where do we PLAY? There is still no swimming pool, though a public fund was already in place before

we arrived. The new housing developments are conspicuously lacking in green spaces from which to enjoy the view. Yes, the ‘Greengates’, a legacy from times past, thankfully protected as a public right of way, remains, but it is no longer a pleasant, quiet stroll. The Playgroups now have permanent facilities and grant-funded equipment, but there seems to have been no recognition of the fact that we lack comfortable meeting places for older people who still make up a sizeable proportion of the population. It is a tribute to the Black Isle that many of these ‘oldies’ are the same young parents who campaigned for better play facilities forty-odd years ago and are still here, having raised their families, completed their careers and subsequently retired. We are going to need an extended Doctors’ Surgery, just as our great-grandchildren are going to need a new school and more play facilities. Fortrose needs a review of traffic arrangements and increased parking, with supervision. All of these points and more have been made at what claimed to be ‘Public consultation meetings’. We await developments with interest.

How things change!Fortrose reflections by Sheena Munro

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Working quietly behind the scenes, this small local association has been active on the Black Isle for almost twenty years. Its main task is to raise money for local children with additional support needs. Over the years its focus and function have changed. When first set up by health-visitor Norma Sinclair and speech and language therapist Marjorie Taylor, pre-school education, including play-groups, had to be paid for by the parents. When this eventually became free in the late nineties the group began to focus on children and parents who had needs not met by the existing formal organisations, like the play-groups. Nowadays the Association targets help to families with financial assistance for a range of needs. It can supply equipment or toys for a child attending pre-school facilities who has additional needs, or the same sort of things for home use. It can pay for child-minding to allow for an outing or respite for the parent or guardian, or just pay for transport so a registered person can take a child to playgroup, nursery, Puffin Pool and so on. A child may need one-to-one help that has to be paid for. Help is given to fund various leisure

activities for such children. It may even be something as simple as paying for play-school snacks for the children of hard-pressed parents. An important feature of the organisation is that it works at arms-length from the children and adults concerned. What sort of help and the money needed is decided by professionals such as Health Visitors. The group does not get involved in making judgements or even know the identity of those helped. The main function of the small team of nine unpaid volunteers is to raise the money needed for all these very good causes. And here is where Chatterbox readers might come in! Fund-raising already takes many forms. The multinational company Technip is a big contributor. Donations are sought from local businesses, stalls with tablet and home-baking appear at church events, the St Boniface Fair and the Fortrose Academy Highland Gathering as well as at the Community Market at North Kessock. The Fortrose Open Gardens scheme gave all the proceeds one year. And so on…In the past donations have ranged from £5 to £1000.

But all of this makes big demands on such a small group. They have two big asks. The first of course is for donations. Every Little Helps. But most importantly they are very keen to have new and possibly younger volunteers (though oldies of course are more than welcome!) to keep the whole thing rolling. So if you feel you can help in any way - you can get in touch by contacting current Chair, Tricia Tickner, Tigh na Beithe, Eathie Road, Fortrose IV10 8SL.Or e-mail her to: tricia@blackisletickners.co.uk

Black Isle Need to Play AssociationSandy Mitchell

POOP!A multi-national problemHow other countriesdeal with it

A collection of photographs by Alastair Cochrane

An Avoch Halloween group and, above, Rogan’s ‘mouse’ pumpkin - you’d need one hell of a mousetrap to catch one of those!

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Burnside GarageMotor Engineers

Long Road, Avoch, Ross-shire IV9 8QR

Catalytic& Diesel!"#$%&'('

T/F: 01381 620355 S M TAAVOCH ONE STOPMaintenance, Service and Repair, MOT, all types of vehicles

JET CAR WASHBatteries, Tyres and all accessories

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

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 editor@chatterboxnews.co.uk

275 packed the Black Isle Leisure Centre’s capacious hall on Sunday 6th November as 160 jittery-but- excited participants took to the stage for a memorable performance of Mozart under the formidably able baton of Alasdair Nicolson, Artistic Director of the St Magnus Festival, as well as a composer and conductor. The four vocal soloists, Jo Weeks, soprano, Alison Wells, mezzo-soprano, Jamie MacDougall, tenor and Richard Morrison, baritone, enthralled participants and audience alike with a dazzling performance of favourite Mozart arias, including ‘Voi che sapete’ and ‘Non piu andrai’ from the Marriage of Figaro. As a finale, Weeks and Wells also combined for a hilarious hissy-fit rendering of ‘Via resti servita’, where mistress and servant enjoyably exchange stroppy insults, well suited to Weeks’ bright soprano and Wells’ richer mezzo. In the first half, the audience also enjoyed a rendering of the Turkish-flavoured Overture ‘Il Seraglio’, with Alison Wells and the ever-popular BIM Chorusmaster David Knotts gamely boosting the percussion section on triangle and cymbals, plus an ‘extra’ from the BIM choir, the sweet and simple ‘Ave Verum Corpus’. After the interval, the choir stepped up to the challenge of its big performance: Mozart’s extraordinary Requiem, which he was composing up to the time of

his death, leaving the great work to be completed by other lesser composers. They’d only had two days rehearsal, but their sound was remarkably pure and clean and many in both choir and audience were visibly moved by the performance. The ‘Lacrimosa’ and ‘Dies Irae’ in particular were sung with passion and a real belief in the jaws of hell, waiting to swallow up

the unsuspecting soul. The applause lasted longer than that for most leaders at political party conferences; many of the audience were on their feet, cheering. The bar available at this year’s event was much appreciated, as were the limited-edition Story chocolates available for sale. Over forty 1810 Cookbooks were sold during the weekend, increasing the event’s

viability. The 1810 Cookbook is being featured as a 5-page feature in the current BBC Homes & Gardens Magazine and is a facsimile of a 201-year-old cookbook sold in aid of BIM. See www.the1810cookbook for further details. This was the culmination of an intensive two-day workshop weekend event which brought together strangers of varying musical ability and experience and melded them into a top-quality choir and orchestra. Earlier, participants were treated to a special screening of ‘Amadeus’, the harrowing life story of Mozart, whose personality and music are portrayed as at complete odds with each other. The borderline between madness and genius is slim, and Mozart appears to have been right on the line. The four soloists are keen to return, because of the enthusiasm of the participant performance; they preferred the BIM concert to many at far more prestigious venues. They also loved their hotels, the good Black Isle food, the beautiful November weather, and the friendliness of local people. Several new to the Black Isle are keen to come back on holiday. What next? The organisers were busy clearing up the ‘invisible’ aftermath – taking down signs and banners, clearing the hall and putting the accounts in

Standing room only for Mozart

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17Councillors’ Corner

isobel.mccallum.cllr@highland.gov.uk

David Alstondavid.alston.cllr@highland.

gov.uk 

Billy Barclaybilly.barclay.cllr@highland.g

ov.uk 

Isobel McCallumIsobel.mccallum.cllr@highla

nd.gov.uk 

Craig Fraser 

Diane Agnew (Black Isle Ward Manager)

Diane.agnew@highland.gov.uk

Tel. 01349 868477www.highland.gov.uk

CONTACTyour Highland Councillors

I welcome and congratulate the Chatterbox on becoming a Black Isle wide community news magazine. Since it began Chatterbox has been a great local publication and extending the magazine’s base to include the news of the wider Black Isle communities I am sure will both increase the readership and its popularity. The Black Isle itself is such a well defined community that it makes sense for there to be a magazine that covers the activities of those living in this area. Being a Black Isler is very special and it is great to have things that are unique to this area and Chatterbox is one of them.

To the west of the Black Isle there are very busy communities promoting a variety of projects on the environment, energy efficency and tourism. The communities of Munlochy, Culbokie and North Kessock have been very busy recently insulating their village halls and installing biomass boilers, the investment being funded by Community Energy Scotland, European Funding from Leader and Highland Council. The greatest investment has come from the people in these communities who have grasped the opportunity and turned it into a reality. They have spent their time exploring options, taking decisions and doing the inevitable paper work. The form filling that is involved in Leader European Funding requires perseverance and patience! However it is a means to an end and enables local people to access the substantial monies that are available for our rural areas. I admire the work put in by all these people who have brought these projects to fruition and is real evidence that where there is a will, there is a way!

In October I attended the launch of The Monadh Mor Woodland Walk Leaflet at the Scottish Tourist Board in Inverness. This beautifully designed leaflet was created by the Ferintosh Primary School P7s. The Monadh Mor is a bog woodland that lies east of the Leanaig roadand the leaflet, along with signposts within the wood, describes some of the wildlife that you will find there. It is an ancient forest with several lochs the largest of which is Simon’s loch. It was very appropriate that the leaflet was displayed at the Tourist Information Centre alongside many other walks and will be another very good reason why tourists will visit the Black Isle. Tourism is our main industry and visitors to Highland spend three times as much as those in the rest of Scotland, so my congratulations to the Ferintosh pupils for their enterprise and their contribution to the local economy!

This is a wonderful time of year to enjoy the produce of the Black Isle whether it be from Community Markets, Farm shops or sheds at the end of roads! The Scottish Ploughing Championships were held at Croftcrunie at Tore in October and the hospitality was superb with local food being the order of the day. The weather was beautiful for two consecutive days and the countryside looked glorious in all its autumn colours. The event was very successful, with several Black Islers on the prize list.

Looking ahead, I am confident that Chatterbox will go from strength to strength and I applaud the enthusiasm of those who make it happen.

Thank YouIsobel

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order – plus a mountain of music on loan needed to be returned (if you performed at BIM and took home a loan score or part by accident please return it immediately to BIM, 6 Greengates Place, Fortrose, IV10 8RY, perhaps along with your evaluation form!). Verity Walker, the event manager, said “After that, we’ll see. A lot will depend on the finances. BIM gives enormous pleasure to many, and economic benefit to the Black Isle – when else would three restaurants and two hotels be full to bursting on a November Sunday night? – and it has the potential to become really well known, just as the St Magnus Festival has. It is however costly, and a huge amount of work at the moment is undertaken by just a tiny handful of volunteers. We’re hoping to spread the load by asking some of those participating to help with some very specific co-ordinating roles – it would really help if we do another one, as we hope to.” BIM 2011 was sponsored by David Sutherland of Tulloch Homes and the team at Highland Council Black Isle Ward and the BIM team is extremely grateful to both them and all the other local businesses who helped make the BIM dream come true for over 400 people. If you would like to participate in a future BIM please register your interest now by writing to:BIM Projects, 6 Greengates Place, Fortrose, IV10 8RY or by e-mailing the team via the website at www.blackislemessiah.co.uk.

The BIM team was very pleased with the outcome of the raffle. The top prize of a trip to London First Class on East Coast Rail plus hotel was won by the hard-working young lady who served the participants their much-appreciated soup and sandwiches at lunchtime! Rachel Macleman, 20, of Avoch, is daughter of caterer Caroline Macleman who runs Buffet-4-U (which supplies catering both to BIM and to Rosemarkie Beach Cafe). Rachel was one of several friends and family members helping her Mum with the big job on Saturday and Sunday. She bought her ticket right at the last minute with the comment that she had ‘always dreamed of going to London’. Now she can. Congratulations, Rachel!

Rachel wins raffle

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In Brief

University Successes

Many pupils from Fortrose Academy have gone on to further education in University and the school has received information from the University Of Aberdeen about pupils who have recently graduated with the following degrees: Natalie Jeanne Ella– Degree Of Master Of Arts In Accountancy, Upper Second Class Honours, 4th of July 2011 Sarah-Jane Law– Degree Of Master Of Arts In Archaeology– History, Lower Second Class Honours, 7th of July 2011 Helen Maclean– Degree Of Master Of Arts In Management Studies-Psychology, Upper Second Class Honours, 4th of July 2011 Danielle Murren– Degree Of Master Of Arts In Geography, Lower Second Class Honours, 7th of July 2011 Benjamin Francis Porter– Degree Of Bachelor Of Science In Physics, First Class Honours, 7th of July 2011

From strength to strength at Cromarty marketJohn Wood

COMMUNITY MARKETSMuch better than supermarket shopping! FERINTOSH

THIRD SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTHNext Market:

Saturday 17 December10am - 12noon, Findon Hall, Culbokie

bringing high quality local food and other products and services to you

Ferintosh Community CouncilCall Kirsty Shaw on 01349 863407 to book a stall or for information about the Community Market or email her at kirstyshaw5@googlemail.com

NORTH KESSOCKLAST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH

Next Market:Saturday 28 January

10am - 12 noon, N. Kessock Village HallTransition Black Isle and Friends of the

Earth Inverness & Ross

Call Kirsty Shaw on 01349 863407 to book a stall or for information about the Community Market or email her at kirstyshaw5@googlemail.com

CROMARTYSECOND SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH

Next Market:Saturday 10 December

11.30am - 2.30pm, Victoria Hall, Cromarty

Transition Black IsleCall John Wood on 01381 600491 to book a stall or for information about the Community Market or email him at jwood42@gmail.com

October and November have seen more success for Cromarty Community Market which continues to grow. About 150 people attended on each occasion, despite counter-attractions including October school holidays and Christmas craft fairs. Both events were booked up well in advance and there is a growing waiting list for stalls. Cromarty seems to have taken the market to its heart and the community has rallied round to help in many other ways as well, including setting up and packing up. Aberdeen University at Cromarty Lighthouse, Cromarty

School and Cromarty Arts Trust have all kindly lent extra tables. The lunches

provided by local community groups have proved a huge success, raising funds and also making each market a social occasion, providing an opportunity to meet and eat with friends and neighbours. In October it was the turn of local fundraiser Laura Shepherd and her willing volunteers, while the November market was well catered for by the Cromarty Crafts Group. The lunches are proving a hit with the organisers, too, and every market café is now booked through to summer 2012. The only drawback to this growth is that we have had to scale back the number of tables available, to stay within the Victoria Hall's capacity and fire safety. In September, market stalls were set up outside, and there was a record 350 visitors, but this is not practical in the winter months.The next market on 10

December is already fully booked with a variety of stalls featuring, alongside the usual local food, a range of craft stalls offering unusual and locally-made items ideal for Christmas presents. It will of course be a Christmas special and Cromarty school will be back providing mince pies and seasonal fare. We are also running a raffle to support the market and keep the cost of stalls down, with excellent prizes donated by stallholders. Tickets went on sale on 12 November and are also available at Cromarty Post Office for the next month - so why not buy a strip and support us?! The draw will be at the December market so the event will be un-missable for that reason alone! The market will continue through 2012 and the organisers are looking at ways to tempt people out on cold January and February days for a bit of winter warmth and fun.

Avoch Christmas  Community Market

Saturday 3rd Dec 11am -1.30pm in

the Community Hall next to the

School: the Black Isle's newest Market tests

the waters on this side of the Black Isle - watch

this space for 2012

The Jesmond & Fernside loading cargo at the harbour just before the outbreak of WW2 – who is the lad and who owned the Morris 8?

Market DatesPlease see advert on previous page, but note there will be no December Market at North Kessock. Both Ferintosh and North Kessock Markets are fully booked to the end of the year and Avoch is not far behind, with over 20 stalls at each market selling locally produced food and crafts, teas and home baking (and soup and bread  as well  at Avoch). Why not do your food and Christmas shopping locally this year in a friendly and relaxed setting -with teas and home baking, live music and good parking? There is no need to leave the Black Isle! Orders taken at the Markets for Christmas poultry, smoked salmon and holly wreaths.

Email Kirsty Shaw at kirstyshaw5@gmail.com or call her on 01349 863407 to book a table at the Avoch Market, or for info or bookings at the other Markets for 2012 

Roast Beef, Two Veg & Potatoes?

Fuggetaboudit!

This year it’s

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Pasta, steaks, seafood, sweets,cheese & more!

Choose from two Family-style

Menus:Light (£30pp)

Classic (£40pp)

Seatings on the half-hour 5pm-9pm

Booking required?

Gimme a break!

ANDERSONrestaurant • bar • accommodation

the

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19

Following the successful unveiling in June of four interpretation boards mounted on the outside of Chanonry Sailing Clubhouse, the joint Chanonry Sailing Club & 1st Avoch Sea Scouts community project ‘Harbouring Heritage’ is moving forward to its next phase. The Club, Sea Scouts and Groam House Museum are teaming-up for an exhibition at the museum opening in April 2012. The exhibition will focus on the history of Fortrose Harbour and environs, expanding upon the material displayed on two of the interpretation boards and displaying historical items not normally on public view. Additionally there will be an electronic ‘slide show’ of historic photos, suitably captioned, and a harbour trail based on the Club. Work is under way too to capture memories through ‘reminiscence recordings’. The organizers are keen to receive more historic photos of the harbour or artefacts that could be loaned for the exhibition; they would also like to hear from anyone who has memories of the harbour from the period 1930 – 1970 and who would like to take part in some audio recordings. If you would like to be involved, please contact Richard Jenner at training@chanonry.org.uk or on 01463 811080.

Harbouring Heritage Fortrose - next phase

Here are 5 facts you may not know about Fortrose Harbour….much more can be found on the Club web-site under Harbour Heritage at www.chanonry.org.uk.

• 1 – Thomas Telford was the surveyor who designed the harbour which opened in 1817

• 2 – The harbour cost £4016 to build – half the money was put-up by 9 prominent citizens of Fortrose, the other half came from the Commission for the Forfeited Estates (‘Jacobite’ estates taken by the government following the battle of Culloden in 1746)

• 3 - A 230 yard long wooden pier was constructed in 1882 to facilitate a regular ferry service to Inverness – it fell into disuse after the railway arrived in 1894 and has disappeared under the waves

• 4 - In its heyday, the harbour supported a distillery, a sawmill, a mason’s yard, a gas works, a joiner’s shop, a general store, a grain store, a blacksmith’s, a piggery and a public house!

• 5 – In the winter of 1943-44 the harbour was a secret naval base – ‘HMS Monster’ – responsible for the work-up of the landing craft used by ‘Force S’ on Sword Beach in the D-day landings.

Black Isle English TuitionQualified English teacher offers private tuition in Avoch.Many years’ experience in top independent schools with former pupils going on to study at leading universities, including Oxbridge.P6 to Advanced Higher. GTC England and GTCS registered. CRB and PVG checked. References available.

Free initial consultation and competitive ratesTel. 01381 621896

The Cromarty Film Festival is a simple idea. Set in the beautiful village of Cromarty during the first weekend of December, we invite interesting people to choose interesting films. 2011 is our fifth festival and in the last four years we have shown over a 120 films selected and introduced by people like Kirsty Wark, Charles Kennedy MP, director David MacKenzie and Eddi Reader. In addition to the favourite films we also screen Scottish archival footage, silent shorts projected on the lighthouse, children's films and classic couthy Scottish features. A new element of the festival is the closing party where in addition to a fantastic film we have live music, wine and a meal - great craic for all. The festival is the culmination of the Cromarty and Resolis Film Society's yearly programme which is powered by a group of volunteers who drink too much and usually disagree. During the year the Society schedules films on a monthly basis, trying to incorporate lesser-seen foreign films with classics and new releases. Recent themes for the annual programme have included book adaptations and road movies. We are currently debating next year's theme and would welcome any suggestions! For more information about the festival see www.cromartyfilmfestival.org where you can also sign up for information about regular screenings and events. Email tkarlebach@eunoia.co.uk

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Riverbank NurseryServing local gardeners for over 30 years with• Competitively Priced Plants• Free Local Delivery• Advice From Experienced and Qualified Gardeners

Riverbank Road, Conon BridgeTel 01349 861720

Open Mon - Sat, 9.00 - 17.00; Sun, 13.00 - 17.00

On a bright blustery day in July Donnie Macintosh belatedly celebrated his 80th Birthday by taking to the skies. He took off from the runway at Dalcross, just across the Firth from his house in Henrietta Street, Avoch, in his Piper Warrior Aircraft with his wife Margaret

acting as "trolley dolly" and official photographer. In a short time he was confidently operating the controls and handling the "kite" like an old hand - buzzing over Avoch and did a circuit of the Black Isle. A post flight de-brief was enjoyed with family and friends in the appropriate manner.

The sky's the limit at 80!

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21

It has been another busy year for our Tennis Club with a membership of 63 Children and 59 Adults. Again this year our Junior and Juvenile members were lucky enough to get 14 weeks free coaching commencing in April and August, with 30+ children attending. Thanks must go to Tom Heath for organising this, as our resident coach unfortunately was injured, and so we had to turn to Inverness Tennis Club to help us out. Both our Junior and Adult teams won the Firth’s Open Tennis Club cups this year – well done to all. This was the first time we had been successful in winning the double! The Adults also enjoyed a friendly match at home against Dingwall, which we were lucky enough to win also. The Club’s Mixed Doubles round-robin tournament enjoyed a day of glorious sunshine, good tennis and delicious food! The entry was the highest for many years with a total of 16 ladies and 10 men competing. Many thanks to Greg and Denise Mudge for organising the matches and for keeping it all running so smoothly. Although we reached a semi-final stage in September, unfortunately the Final has yet to be played! The other Club Tournament results are as follows:

JUNIOR Winners:Under 12 Girls Singles - Rosie Young, runner-up Susannah BowmanUnder 12 Boys Singles - Tom Kelly, runner-up Gregor MacDonaldUnder 12 Boys Doubles - Tom Kelly & Finlay Saunders, r/up Gregor MacDonald & David Bowman

12-14 yrs Boys Singles - Chris Kelly, runner-up Sebby Eriksen12-14 yrs Boys Doubles – Scott Rice & Jack Beasley, runners-up Seb Eriksen & Findlay SpenceJuvenile Boys Singles - Kenneth Simpson, runner-up Jonathan Richardson

ADULT Winners:Ladies Singles - Patsy Alexander, runner-up Sylvia HulmeLadies Doubles – Doreen Ferguson & Patsy Alexander, runners-up Jenny Buchanan & Edith Blake Men’s Singles - Willie Young, runner-up Greg MudgeMen’s Doubles - Greg Mudge & Sam Heath, runners-up Colin Ferguson & Tom Heath The end of year Presentation Dinner was held on 25th November at the Station Hotel, Avoch. The Club’s website address is now www.spanglefish.com/fortroseandrosemarkietennisclub - where memberships forms, photos and information on coaching sessions can be found.

Fortrose & Rosemarkie Tennis Club

2011 - Girls Under 12 Competitors & Mascot!

Kenneth Simpson – Juvenile Winner 2011

watched the constant stream of powered planes and gliders taking off and landing. Then it was my turn again. This was to be a winch take-off. And one of the instructors was to take me up. You, he said, will go in the front - and do a bit of flying. My heart gave a jump - but again there was no backing out. The front seat with its little panel of instruments is very, very much at the front and I was told we would go up on

the winch to 400 metres - if we are lucky. I didn't even begin to do the sums about that parachute. The instructor - also calld Jos - was a calm, stocky man wearing a bush-hat and the other Jos reassured me he had been doing the job for many years. Over the intercom came a calm voice telling me what would happen - just a single lift then one circuit and back to land - the sun now low over the trees. It was almost the end of the day's flying. The wire was clipped below the nose and snaked away towards the winch far in the distance. It tightened and with an

awesome rush we whooshed forward and very steeply up and up. It was like being on a roller-coaster in reverse, as fast up as the coaster hurtling down. The angle was so steep it was like looking up at the zenith. Then that solid thunk as the cable released and once more we were floating free and silent. The craft was levelled up and I was given control. Speed had to be kept around 70kph - if it rose you were starting to lose height, if it fell you were climbing too steeply and could stall. I did two gentle turns, getting the feel of the machine, to the right and then back round left, the landscape below revolved gently round our axis. Then Jos took over and we turned downwind, ahead a crimson sea of light from the setting sun, the pines below a plain of solid black. A final turn and once more the steep fast descent, 100 then 110 kph, skimming above the field, a firm impact and we were hissing across the grass, wings level, solidly, safely back on the ground. The other Jos was there with a pick-up truck. A cable was hitched and we walked behind, keeping the wings of the lithe machine off the ground until we were back at the hangar. There it was eased in among a gaggle of other gliders. And the big curtain doors were rolled shut.

What a day!

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October. End of the tourist season. Time for bed and breakfast folks to head for somewhere calm and sunny. The same for an oldie tour-guide like myself to do something similar. Family to be visited in faraway Englandshire. Do some folks sons and daughters live as far away as possible for a reason? One of mine fled to Japan - carrying it a bit far, you might say. The visiting done, I thought to take advantage of cheap ferry fares and cross to Belgium to call on old friends. It was Indian summer in the Low Countries - day after day of sunshine. Cheese and ham for breakfast and on offer a different beer for every day of a year. Another braw day saw me travel from the bonny wee town of Lier (near Antwerp) - to another friend in Herk de Stad. We had a leisurely lunch and it being so fine I said I would go off for a walk. Oh, said my friend, out of the blue - would I like to go gliding? I wasn't fast enough to come up with an excuse so within minutes we were driving back the way I had just come to a big field in the middle of a pine wood where Belgians go gliding. My friend's friend Jos was an experienced glider pilot but it was his son Sander, a recently qualified doctor who was to take me up. Just the man to have on hand, I thought nervously, if we come down belly-up. Would I like to go up with a tow or a take-off by winch I was asked. Em..ahhh, I said decisively. Whatever you think best. Best turned out to be a tow behind a light plane, they thought. Gulp, I thought. We went round to a big hangar and wheeled out a high-wing tow-plane and then round to the grass strip where a line of gliders and their pilots were waiting to take off. Jos showed me the glider we would use - very handsome, long-winged with a little canopied cockpit like a dragonfly's eyes. Long slim wings and three wheels in line under the body - at nose, belly and tail. No wheels under the wings so the machines have to be held gently by one wing until they are ready to go. Instruction time. Jos comes up with a bulky thing like a lifejacket. “Here you are, Sandy. This is your parachute.” “My para.... I stammered. But I thought... I didn't realise.…” “Oh, its quite simple,” he said as he lashed the thing round me so I looked like a giant stranded terrapin. Before I had time to argue or think out an excuse I was being shown how to clamber into the cockpit. A very neat fit. Jos leant over and clipped me into a full harness - on top of all the buckles on the parachute - and told me what to do if I had to bail out. It was really simple. First undo all the buckles on the harness, then open the canopy - like so... and so. Then climb out and jump - making sure not to hit the tail on the way past. Then wait four seconds and pull this handle. Easy-peasy, thought I. And tried to remember how many feet you plummet per second per second on the quick way to the end of time. And, thought I as I sat waiting for the count-down, at the height we'll be flying I might as well just

stay in this nice cosy cockpit and just hope my guardian angel's on standby. Then the cable grew taut and we slid swiftly forward behind the little plane and in no time the skittering bump along the grass was over and we were airborne. You sit in tandem so I stared ahead at the nape of young Sander's neck, my feet resting lightly on the rudder pedals (no room for them to go anywhere else) and I lightly held the old-style joystick to follow his movements on the controls. It seemed long as we climbed with the cable running in a shallow dipping curve to the little high-winged plane that sometimes showed to our left then to our right. Then, clunk, the cable dropped away and at over 2000 metres we were on our own turning silently above the squares of pine forest far below, the rectangle of the airfield cut out from the spread of trees. The low gently undulating Belgian countryside spread and faded into the distance. We swung in slow curves, gently descending, for this late in the year no lift from thermals is to be expected. The canopy around us was a clear bubble of material with no struts, just a single short red cord ahead and above the pilot to show the relative movement of air to machine. Sander dipped a wing steeply and we made several tight turns. My initial nervousness faded and I looked around, took photographs, followed the controls with feet and hand - and thought maybe this was something I could do back in Scotland - there's a gliding school at Glenfeshie, another near Elgin... Soon we were back above the airfield and on the downwind leg, then turning and descending steeply to the dark upsweeping canopy of pines. There are no wing-flaps on a glider - just small raisable spoilers on the upper wing and the descent faster than in a light powered plane. My guess is that speed is needed to retain control and to slither fast along the grass with enough momentum to take you in a shallow curve out of the main landing path and clear for the quick succession of craft that come one after the other. Once stopped the canopy is swung up and our harnesses released. I clambered out, stiff at the knees and made to take off the parachute - and very nearly pulled the ring that would have opened the ‘chute but for a sharp word from Sander. We adjourned to the flying club café and

Up, up and away in BelgiumSandy Mitchell

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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

An interesting exhibition was held in Tore Hall on 23rd and 24th September. Early in 2010 ARCH (Archaeology for Communities in the Highlands) organised a series of oral history meetings – Black Isle Heritage Memories – Avoch, Culbokie and Tore. Those who attended the Tore sessions found the experience so enjoyable that they wanted to continue after ARCH’s input had ended. A small steering group was set up to take forward the idea when word came that Killearnan was one of the Community Councils eligible for Fairburn wind-farm funding. With the support of North Kessock and District Local History Society the project, Killearnan Memories, applied for and was granted funding and the work began. A series of eight meetings took place – in December and February. Using early Ordnance Survey maps (1870s) the group considered old buildings and sites and supplied information on their current state – gone, ruined, renovated or replaced. Information on 260 sites was noted and will be submitted to the Highland Historic Environment Record.

Individuals were interviewed about their memories of the area and DVDs were produced. The project culminated in the Exhibition when displays with lots of old photographs were set up providing information on different areas of the Parish. There were also models of farming equipment created by Roddy Miller, cabinets with a variety of artefacts including a factor’s notebook (1868 -1894), a carpenter’s day book begun in 1891, a teacher’s tawse and a crystal radio. A table of old household items generated much interest. The pupils of Tore School set up their special section of the Exhibition with pictures and stories of their own houses – some of which date back to the 19th century.Over 300 people passed through the Hall doors to view the displays and, over a cup of tea with home baking, many met up with acquaintances they hadn’t seen for years.

If you missed the Exhibition there is still an opportunity to see the displays, which are to be in the Highland Archive Centre in December and January.

Killearnan Memories Exhibition

Scottish Ploughing

ChampionshipsAll roads led to Tore on 22nd and 23rd October when the Scottish Ploughing Championships were held at Croftcrunie Farm. Hosts were AD Gammie and Sons and HD Paul and Sons. There was a wide range of classes for modern, vintage and classic tractors and for horse. Among the large number of competitors (over 150) from all over Scotland, there was a good representation of Black Isle men. Several of them featured in the list of winners, including Tore man, John Dalgetty. In addition to the competitions there were displays of vintage machinery, trade stands and demonstrations of new equipment, as well as craft stalls.Dave Thompson, MSP and Agriculture Secretary, Richard Lochhead, were among the visitors to the event. The farmer ploughing with ‘Henry’ is Andrew Gammie, Croftcrunie.

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the courtyard coffee shop & gift galleryOur gift gallery is fun, innovative and there is something for everyone!Great present ideas for Christmas!

Opening Hours 10.00am – 4.30pm Monday – SaturdayHarpers Court (Next to LIDL’S Car Park)DINGWALL IV15 9HTTel: 01349 866062

We offer a warm welcome and invite you to relax in a pleasant environment and enjoy the following:

Delicious homemade cakes and traybakes Finest coffee in Ross-shire Homemade soups Tasty sandwiches, toasties and paninis Baked potatoes with various fillings Handmade quiche & salads

Gluten free and vegan diets catered for

Photographs by Alasdair Cameron

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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: caroline@buffets4u.co.ukhttp://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) ormonde.adpm@btinternet.com

Forward to the pastCaroline Vawdrey

ARCH (Archaeology for Communities in the Highlands) doesn’t just look to the past - it’s looking ahead too - and would like to hear from communities across the Highlands about how people would like to get involved in exploring their local history and archaeology. It’s nearly two years since ARCH was first set up and in that time the project officers have worked from Auldearn to Gairloch and Golspie to Boat of Garten, running classes that allow everyone to get involved in finding more about their local history. At the core of ARCH’s activities is the three year Stop, Look and Listen project, funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund, European Community Highland LEADER 2007-2013 Programme and with support from The Highland Council and Scotrail. There’ve been lots of courses under this banner, including looking at community timelines or evidence of old routeways, and using site visits, documents and maps to find out more. At Nairn Museum and at Groam House Museum on the Black Isle people have been learning how to research and put together a museum display. There’s been the chance for travel too on the ‘Heritage along the Kyle Line’ course where, thanks to the free travel provided by Scotrail, ARCH course participants are able to study the past through the comfort of a train window. For those that like to get a bit uncomfortable and grubby, the ARCH excavation at Foulis, near Evanton on the Cromarty Firth, looking at a mound that seems to have had past human usage and at a possible routeway, proved a big hit. ARCH will be continuing the excavation in 2012 to see what more can be discovered. As project officer Susan Kruse commented: “The response to our courses has been tremendous, and now that we’re more than half way through our three-year funding we’re planning ahead to see how we can get even more people delving into their area’s past. We’ve been holding meetings to get people’s views, but we’d also like people to get in touch to say if there are particular skills that they’d like to learn, or an aspect of the local heritage that they’d like to study.” Fellow project officer Cathy MacIver agreed, adding: “We’ve had some great ideas for the future from the meetings so far, including walks, surveys and intergenerational and oral history projects, to get even more people involved and promote the exciting history of an area through paper and web publication. All these suggestions show that people really appreciate the richness of their own heritage, and now that we’re planning ahead it is the perfect time for people to tell us what would give them a buzz about their own place.” You can download a form from the ARCH website http://www.archhighland.org.uk or get in touch with Susan and Cathy on 01349 868230 or email info@ARCHhighland.org.uk or write to themc/o Education Centre, Castle Street, Dingwall IV15 9HU

The Final Inspection

The soldier stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass.He hoped his shoes were shining,Just as brightly as his brass.

'Step forward now, you soldier,How shall I deal with you ?Have you always turned the other cheek ?To My Church have you been true?'

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,'No, Lord, I guess I ain't.Because those of us who carry guns,Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,And at times my talk was tough.And sometimes I've been violent,Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,That wasn't mine to keep...Though I worked a lot of overtime,When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,Though at times I shook with fear.And sometimes, God, forgive me,I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,Among the people here.They never wanted me around,Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,It needn't be so grand.I never expected or had too much,But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,Where the saints had often trod.As the soldier waited quietly,For the judgment of his God.

'Step forward now, you soldier,You've borne your burdens well.Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,You've done your time in Hell.'

Author Unknown- submitted by Robbie Russell

BamBee

Bethany-Anne Murphy (BamBee) wants to bring “a splash of London” to teens here and, in the process, get them interested in Community Markets. She wants to help give a teenage presence in the markets at a low cost and proposes to source items from London markets - she is in London quite often, so she expects this to be easy to do - and introduce them to teenagers here via Community Markets and Facebook. BamBee is in her business evaluation stage, but if it takes off she’ll be looking to source items from local craftspeople as well and build the business further – she’ll be arranging for items to be brought from London on a regular basis and will also use Facebook and Twitter to source specific items for people – items that traders may not have on display at markets, but which she would aim to locate. See her slideshow of items at Bambee’s Teen Accessories on Facebook. Items available include bags, hair extensions, T-shirts, fake piercings, tattoo sleeves, hair clips, knee socks, fingerless gloves ... and other accessories.

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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

To lay a clear track through some 1500 years of church history in a very readable booklet of only 20 pages is quite an achievement. This is what Stuart Edmond has done in A Short History of the Parish of Fortrose and Rosemarkie. Scottish Church History, especially in the post-reformation period, is, as the author says, “Tempestuous and convoluted”; and the two parishes in question give way to none in this respect.Over the years, from the early Celtic Church of Moluag and Boniface, the centre of religious influence switched several times between Rosemarkie and Chanonrie, as Fortrose was then known. There were parish unions, separations and reunions, culminating in the fusion of the two kirks in 1967 and the later linking with Avoch in 1976. It is most unlikely that the union of 1967 followed the separation ritual of 1841 when the Fortrose dignitaries, having completed their proud “perambulation” of the new parish boundaries, “went back to the inn.” Although necessarily broad in its sweep, the account still finds room for much fascinating detail. The state of Fortrose cathedral was not helped in 1572 when King

James VI “made a gift of the lead on the roof” to Lord Ruthven. It is of special interest that Rosemarkie kirkyard is the last resting place of many prominent people, including Dr William Bryden, the only man to escape from the massacre of the British force retreating from Kabul in 1842. Such items are the

product of Mr Edmond’s skilful distillation of local history, presbytery and session minutes, oral accounts, and even a bit of Google research.

Although the main focus is the established church, there are ecumenical references that embrace the continuing worship and associated buildings of Roman Catholic and Episcopalian

congregations. Set out and edited by Professor Hamish Keir, the booklet is enhanced by a number of coloured illustrations – views of local churches, map of parish boundaries, some ancient seals and a comprehensive succession of clergy from 690 to modern times. Pocket-sized and printed on quality paper, it can be obtained from Fortrose and Avoch Post Offices, Groam House, or direct from Mr Edmond, telephone number 01381 620753. Any profits will go to a Christian-related charity.

A short history of the parish of Fortrose and

RosemarkieReview by M.G.

Personal Training Sessions Eating for Fat Loss Sessions

Whole Body Vibration Training Cyclo-ssage Massage Sessions

All sessions are available at The PT Studio, AvochLinda Bailey : Personal Trainer : 077 6969 3993

Chatterbox needs a new

Secretaryplease contact Claire Divine, 01381 621243

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WILD BIRD COUNTRY STOREBuy your Wild Bird Food at trade prices and have it delivered FREE OF CHARGE to

your door, pay by Credit or Debit Card or C.O.D.Order by telephone or on our secure service shopping kart

13 & 25 Kg sacks of Peanuts, Peanut granules, Standard Seed, Supreme Seed, Nice and Clean, Sunflower & Seed Mix, Sunflower Seed & Suet Mix, Niger Seed, Black

Sunflower, Sunflower Hearts, 5 & 10 Kg packs of Suet Pellets, 50s & 100s of Fat Balls.Coming soon a full range of Poultry Foods, Pig Foods and Game Foods

Phone 01456 486 639 Mob 0758 7659 499or shop on www.wildbirdfoodscotland.co.uk

Sales & Purchase LedgerCredit ControlBook-keepingAdministrationEnd of year accounts

C B Financial Services

Louise MacKay Tel : 07725 897 536

Makeover for oldMike Armitage

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BRAEHEAD AERIALS LTDApproved EAGA Digital Switchover InstallersDigital TV Aerial & Satellite Installation

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Suppliers of Wood Burning and Multi-fuel Stoves

Spares and Repairs

Highland Stoves are proud to announce the opening of their new showroom at Unit 3 Whitedykes Industrial Estate Cromarty IV11 8YB

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Lighting is a big energy consumer for businesses because a high level of lighting is required every day of the year. Friends of the Earth Inverness and Ross are encouraging local businesses to upgrade to low energy lighting and dramatically cut their costs. Upgrading one halogen spotlight to a compact fluorescent lamp will save around £8 a year – paying for itself within months – and there can be dozens of high-energy fittings in a single shop. LED lights can be swapped for halogens and are also becoming cheaper and use very little energy. Any business using the old-fashioned incandescent bulbs is throwing money away: there is a reason that they are being slowly phased out!

Peter Elbourne – the group’s lead energy advisor – said that their free energy monitor loan scheme has proved popular:

“It’s great to see so many businesses taking up our offer of a free monitor loan. In fact, one of our clients found it so useful that they’ve bought their own to keep and a second to track the electricity they are using at their other premises!” Some businesses are also considering generating their own electricity using solar panels or putting in a wood stove. Others are realising that their poor insulation means they are wasting a lot of money. The group can refer businesses to the Energy Saving Trust which offers zero interest loans with up to 8 years to pay back. They also offer eco-driving lessons which could help save on fuel.

A report summarising the Dingwall campaign is available on the group’s website – www.foe-invernessandross.org.uk – together with additional information for businesses on renewables, low-energy lighting and efficient refrigeration.

Contact Friends of the Earth Inverness and Ross if you would like more details about the project or you are interested in energy saving advice for your business (07715 663781, keeptheheatincampaign@gmail.com)

A free energy advice service run by Friends of the Earth Inverness and Ross is helping local businesses save money, lower energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions. Their ‘Keep The Heat In’ campaign is funded through the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund, and the energy advice offered to businesses is free and impartial.

The campaign started in Dingwall in June before moving on to Inverness in September. As of the end of October they have contacted about 500 businesses and a total of 75 have been given energy-saving advice that the group estimates will save 70 tonnes of greenhouse gases a year – as much carbon pollution as driving a car 175,000 miles. Around 70% of the businesses advised so far have been dependent on electricity for heating their premises. Sadly, this is the most expensive and carbon-intensive fuel. Nairn is the next area to be covered, but the group is happy to give phone advice to other areas of the Highlands, including the Black Isle.

‘Keep The Heat In’ is inspired by ‘Close The Door’, a campaign in England that focuses on encouraging shops to keep doors shut during cold weather. Cambridge University estimated that the shop used as their case study could halve their heating bill by simply keeping the front door closed in cold weather, without reducing footfall. The idea for a similar campaign in the Highlands came from Anne Thomas, co-ordinator at Friends of the Earth Inverness and Ross:

“If keeping doors closed can make a significant difference in the south of England, then the potential savings for shops in the Highlands are huge!”

Shops, restaurants, salons and offices are putting the heating back on now that the weather is turning more autumnal, which makes it especially important for them to explore ways to ‘keep the heat in’. Businesses that are either given advice by the group or are already thinking about their energy use are putting a campaign sticker in their window to help spread the message.

Free energy adviceIf you go down to the woods today you’re sure of a path surprise!! - due to Avoch & Killen Community Council having applied for funding through Highland Council Core Path Improvement Programme (HCPIP), to clear and improve sections of the popular walk between Avoch & Fortrose. Clearing and resurfacing work, primarily from the church car park along behind Braehead, and general ditch and drainage improvements have been carried out, together with cutting back fallen and potentially dangerous trees and protruding roots. Finally, a substantial bench donated by Avoch Heritage Association was

installed by the contractor, Highland Conservation Limited, at the Millennium Stone in the Craig Wood. The HCPIP is funded by the European Community Highland LEADER 2007-2013 Programme & The Highland Council. The application process and work is carried out in close conjunction with the Area Access Officer, which greatly reduces and simplifies the workload for Community Councils. The work was carried out with the cooperation of Mike Carter, owner of the Craig Wood. The funding approval requires basic annual maintenance (ditch and vegetation clearance), which needs to be undertaken by the community. AKCC has recently been granted funding for some great tools to assist in this , so if you want to lend a hand please get in touch with a member of the CC. With the path improvements comes the concern that illegal motorised use will occur, particularly motorbikes. A notice will be placed on the gate but it is up to everyone to prevent it. Motorbike users should be politely stopped and informed that use off-road without permission is illegal. Any sightings of motorbike use may be reported to the Police (on 0845 600 5703); they have said that they will respond, as they often find in such cases that other offences are committed as well. It is to be hoped that the path improvements will allow easier access for people using mobility aids, as well as enhancing the enjoyment of walkers and cyclists -but please, like on our beach, - LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS !

railway line

name, full address, date of birth, telephone number, National Insurance number, school/workplace, birthplace, previous addresses).

• Think carefully before posting information – would you want family members, work colleagues or even your employer to see those personal photos?

• Get other people’s consent before you upload their pictures or personal information.

• Use strong passwords and logins to prevent your account being misused.

Watch out for disguised businesses pretending to be private individuals. More and more people are using this space to advertise unwanted goods for sale. However, some unscrupulous sellers may be trying to sell counterfeit goods through these means rather than the traditional online auction sites.

Remember Your Rights You have the right to see information held about you online. If any information held online is incorrect, you also have the same right to have it corrected. You also have the right to stop organisations using your information to send you direct marketing. You should get the opportunity to opt in or out of receiving such marketing at the point you give your personal information. The Internet Advertising Bureau provides information on how online behavioural advertising works, and gives links to several organisations that enable you to opt out of behavioural advertising. http://www.iabuk.net/en/1/home.htmlFor more information on how to protect both you and your family online contact the Information Commission Office at http://www.ico.gov.uk/ or telephone their helpline on 0303 123 1113 (Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm). If you feel that you have been a victim of an online scam you can report this to Consumer Direct Scotland on 08454 04 05 06 or write/visit Highland Council Trading Standards, 38 Harbour Road, Inverness IV1 1UF.

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Holistic/Therapeutic Massage

Kate Bevan Baker MA, DipHMFortrose, Black Isle

for appointments and enquiriestel: 07854 085 654

info@katebevanbaker.co.ukwww.katebevanbaker.co.uk

PUBLIC INFORMATION

GARDEN TREE SURGERYH & H Brown, Bunchrew

Phone Hugh 01463 71324507845 468540

Tree Felling & ToppingDamaged Trees Removed or Made Safe

Fruit Tree CareTree Management and Advice

Free QuotationsPublic Liability Insurance

hbrowntrees@hghd.wanadoo.co.uk

Protection from Scams Conducting personal business online can be convenient, efficient and even save you money. Transacting online can come in many forms: shopping online at your favourite store, paying Council Tax or Road Tax, paying fuel bills or other utilities, contacting your local Council or government departments andjob hunting ‘Social networking’ through community forums or chatrooms can also be a good source of advice and information as well as a means of staying in touch with distant friends and relations. Many businesses now advertise through ‘Social networking sites’ and this has meant an expansion of the online market. The organisations or businesses that you come into contact with may collect information about you. However, they also have a responsibility to protect it from ending up in the wrong hands. It’s important to remember, if you do a lot of your own personal or family business online, that you take some precautions to prevent either you or your family from being caught out by identity fraud and scams.

Dealing with organisations and businesses onlineHere are some helpful steps to take to protect your personal information online.• Find out who is collecting the

information; is it an organisation that you have dealt with before?

• What is the information for? Is it part of a survey? How will this information be used?

• What are the consequences of giving out the information?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions before giving out information to an organisation or business. If their intentions are not clear then be on your guard. Check to see if there is a ‘privacy notice’ or ‘privacy policy’ on the organisation’s website. This notice should answer the questions above and inform you if the

information you provide will be shared with other organisations or businesses. Remember - if the organisation or business (for marketing purposes) want to use your information to pass on to other companies etc. then they should give you the chance to opt in or out of receiving such information.

Communicating through Social Networking Sites Social Networking sites are an easy and versatile means of communication. Most sites will allow you to share information, opinions and videos or photos. However, it is important to remember that information you post on a site could be public and may be seen by many people. Some sites set privacy settings automatically so it is best to check out this information BEFORE signing up. Here are a few things you should consider before posting information or images on social networking sites.• Try to find out how the privacy settings

offered can limit access to your personal information. Don’t sign up to a social network site until you know and understand the privacy setting.

• Get into the habit of reviewing your ‘privacy settings’. You should be able to adjust your ‘privacy settings’ so that information about your family and children is shared only with those you know well.

• Don’t include too much personal information that could make you vulnerable to identity fraud (e.g full

Social Networking or buying online

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

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Do you know someone who suffers from sight problems? Maybe your own sight isn’t what it used to be. There’s a range of different types of visual impairment and many different causes. For those who do experience difficulties in seeing things it can be very limiting for carrying out everyday tasks and activities. When it comes to entertainment, many of the things we take for granted are simply out of reach for visually impaired people. Audio Description is one service which aims to help people with visual impairment to take part in activities which may otherwise be unavailable to them. Mainly provided in a TV, film and theatre setting, Audio Description involves a description of what can be seen happening on the screen or on the stage. The aim is to enhance the listener’s understanding of what is taking place by describing the key parts of a production which are not available through listening alone. Many TV shows are now audio described through Sky, Freesat and cable services. A menu option allows this to be turned on and off. For those of us who enjoy going out to the cinema, all cinemas have some films which are audio described. In a cinema setting, a headset is issued which

enables the wearer to hear the audio description. Headsets tend to look like wireless headphones and are generally very easy to use. The person who issues the headset will ensure that you are comfortable with how to work it. To find out which films have audio description at the cinema, you can either phone, go in or check it out on-line – shows with audio description have an ‘AD’ symbol next to them in the programme. However, if you fancy a live show, in Highland region, Eden Court in Inverness is the place to go. With recent audio described productions including Joseph, Para Handy and The Singing Kettle Funny Farm, there is a wide range of shows to meet a range of interests. Over the festive period, the pantomime, Cinderella, is due to be audio described on 17 December and 5 January, or if you like ballet

then maybe the Sleeping Beauty, audio described on 28 January, is for you. Eden Court also provides a range of audio described cinema films and again these can be identified by the ‘AD’ symbol in the programme, or by contacting the box office directly (01463-234-234). Staff at each venue can help to ensure that you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Whether it be helping you to find your seat or anything else, simply letting someone know what is needed helps make for a good experience. Finally, as an Audio Describer I’m interested in finding out if there are other ways that audio description can be useful to those with visual impairment. If you have any thoughts, please feel free to get in touch with me on 01381-621488 or at k_twiselton@hotmail.com

Karen Twiselton

Audio Description

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Avoch Weather RecorD

Andy Hickie at the Dock, Avoch, has a weather station in his garden 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 periodAugust, Sept. & October 2011:

Temperature (°C):Mean (1 minute) 12.2Mean (min+max) 12.6Mean Minimum 9.0Mean Maximum 16.1Minimum 1.8 on 19 OctMaximum 23.1 on 28 Sept Highest Minimum 14.4 on 2 AugLowest Maximum 7.3 on 19 OctAir frosts 0

Rainfall (mm):Total for period 246.9Wettest day 29.7 on 10 Aug High rain rate 131.8 day 24 Aug Rain days 76

Wind (mph):Highest Gust 40.0 on 24 OctAverage Speed 3.7Wind Run 7810.8 milesGale days 0

Pressure (mb):Maximum 1026.49 on 14 OctMinimum 973.79 on 12 Sep

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

Total hours of sunshine 370.4

Andy says, “It may be of interest to note that August 2011 has been the wettest month since I started recording here in October 2009, with a total of 108.2mms. August also delivered the highest daily rain (29.7mms on the 10th) as well as the highest rainfall rate of 131.8mms/hr on the 24th. In all, a pretty rainy month.”

Wildlife walkSee the activity of winter at Udale Bay and Newhall Point, Black Isle.See what wildlife is feeding on the mudflats of Udale Bay as the tide comes in, look out for flights of dunlin and knot swirling around along with flocks of wigeon and other ducks. And then there’s Newhall Point for views of divers and grebes to take us to the end of the day. Walk with the Easter Ross Countryside Ranger on Tuesday 13 December till 2pm. Assemble at grid ref. NH712651. Adults £3Child £2. Family rates available.Tel: 01349 868563 or e:mail martin.hind@highland.gov.uk for more information.

Delivery Charges Survey

Small Business and Consumers Urged to Take Part (14/11/2011) Highland residents and businesses may be put at a disadvantage compared to other parts of the UK when it comes to restrictive terms and conditions or high delivery charges, but as yet it has been difficult to gauge whether or not this may be the case in comparison with other remote areas of the UK. Businesses can legitimately charge extra for delivery if the recipient lives or is based in a remote area of the Highlands. However, prominent claims made by businesses such as “Free UK Delivery” can be considered misleading and confusing for the purchaser. In contrast, prospective purchasers should expect that all applicable delivery charges be clearly and prominently displayed online from the outset. The Highland Council Trading Standards team is keen to gather evidence from Highland consumers and/or small businesses about any malpractice they may have experienced recently relating to delivery terms and conditions and charges when purchasing goods online. A web-based survey form has been devised for participants to express their experiences of buying online where they feel that they have been charged excessively for delivery of goods to the Highlands. For consumers and businesses based in the Highlands wishing to participate in this Survey please log on to the Highland Council’s website at:www.highland.gov.uk/deliverycharges

“Move it to lose it”HIGH LIFE HIGHLAND SAYS ‘MOVE IT TO LOSE IT.’

Since High Life Highland (HLH) launched its festive season winter workout programme, Move it to Lose it, on November 14th, more than 1300 people across the Highlands have signed up to shape up in the run-up to Christmas, and to step into 2012 healthier and fitter.The Christmas Challenge has struck a chord with people everywhere, and newcomers are still signing up every day. Top of the Move it to Lose it league is Lochaber Leisure Centre, where an impressive 267 people have signed up, followed by Invergordon with 178 and Craig Maclean with 117. In all, 15 HLH sports and leisure facilities are offering the chance to Move it to Lose it, and by November 17th, 1312 people in total had committed to the Challenge, which offers professional fitness assessments and individual structured exercise programmes.

Drew Millar, Chair of HLH who is leading from the front by signing up himself says: “This is a fantastic response to our first pan-Highland initiative, and we are delighted that so many people have made the choice to kick-start a healthier lifestyle.” There’s also good news for those who haven’t yet taken up the Move it to Lose it Challenge – there are still places left, so if you’ve only just worked up the enthusiasm, you can still join the programme. And for people who’ve already signed up, remember you can offer your Buddy Vouchers to friends who might be persuaded to join – as we’re sure they can count on you for some moral support as you shape up for Christmas together! Drew Millar says, “As far as HLH is concerned, all of our participating facilities are still recruiting newcomers to the programme. It’s a great, fun way to get fit, lose weight and do something positive that will have a lasting impact on your physical and mental health. And if you’ve set your heart on a special Christmas outfit, it’s going to look even better on you if you’ve taken up the Challenge!” To take the first step, all you have to do is go along to your nearest participating HLH facility, where friendly, helpful staff will point you towards a fitter and healthier festive season.

R o g a n D i v i n e

D r y s t o n e D y k e r

Ornamental Stonework and Landscape Services

18 MacKenzie Place . Avoch . Ross-shire . IV9 8QPTelephone 01381 621 243 . Mobile 07747 013 555

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C S and Mrs E L Hiddleston

DAIMLER CHAUFFEUR HIRETRADITIONAL WEDDING CARS

UNIFORMED CHAUFFEURS

Fairy Glen View, Eathie RoadRosemarkie IV10 8SJ

01381 620247Mobile: 07711 093522

www.daimlerchauffeurhire.com

J P CarsPrivate Car Hire

Long and Short Distance

Tel: 01381 6214570782 483 2343

✶ ✶

ChiropodistJohn L. Stott

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

The Black Isle, Ross-Shire & Inverness-ShireMEMBER OF THE

“INSTITUTE OF CHIROPODISTS & PODIATRISTS”

State Registered: HPC Registration Number CH25760

Tel 01463 811746

Phone Avoch (01381) 621000

Advertise in Chatterboxadvertise@chatterboxnews.co.uk

A B&W panel this size would cost you £5.27

LOCALFREE-RANGE

EGGSWe can lay them

on your doorstep!£1.20 for 6 eggs

Anne ChanceEaster Balmungie Farm

Telephone: 621006

Since the last report all games have been played, even though the wet weather meant delays in completing some of our own club competitions. The club's last open competition, the Hugh Sutherland Memorial Cup, was played on Saturday 27 August. This competition is restricted to Ross-shire clubs only and 13 teams took part. At the semi-final stage Muir of Ord met Alness and Avoch met Cromarty. The Cromarty team of Brian Cameron, Daniel Mackay and Andrew Munro went on to win the competition with Muir of Ord (Peter Clough, Ian Bremner and Willie Stewart) as runners-up. The club held a very successful end of season dinner in the Station Hotel, Avoch, on Wednesday 28 September after which Ros Macarthur presented the following club trophies: Ladies Champion - Winner - Jane Jardine Runner-up - Jane Smith Gents Champion - Winner - William Skinner Runner-up - Jimmy Skinner T A Patience Cup - Winner - Jimmy Skinner Runner-up - Ecky Patience D Macintosh Cup - Winner - Ecky Patience Runner-up - Jimmy Skinner Silver Jubilee Cup - Winners - John Marker and Jimmy Skinner Runners-up - William Skinner and Ecky Patience

Maurice Brown Side Competition - Ladies Winner - Margaret Williamson, Gents winner - Jacob Marker Bessie Brown Memorial Cup - Winners - John Marker, Margaret Williamson, John Morrison Runners-up - Margaret Patience, William Skinner, Jimmy Skinner It is nice to see some of the newer members among the winners in these competitions, which hopefully should encourage anyone interested in bowls to come along and join the club. The club does not meet during the winter months apart from the AGM in February. Keep a lookout on local notice boards for the actual date, time and place of this meeting. Next year is likely to be crucial as regards the future of the club. The current committee members are all over 70 years of age and obviously cannot go on forever. The work of the Greenkeeper is essential, as is that of the Secretary and Treasurer. Anyone interested in bowling will be very welcome to come along to the AGM or visit the club when it opens for play next year.

Come bowling!AVOCH OUTDOOR BOWLING CLUB

George Brodie, Secretary

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The Museum closes on 4 December and will

reopen on 6 April 2012 Our 2012 Community

Exhibition will be

“Harbouring Heritage”

featuring Fortrose Harbour

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

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Groam House Museum relies on adedicated team of volunteers who work on a rota system that can be adapted to individual availabilities. 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: su.wompra@btinternet.com

MUSEUM OPENING HOURS for 2012

! ADMISSION FREE !Our opening times for next year have not yet been finalised but will be posted on our web site and advertised in Chatterbox as soon as possible.

Groam House Museum, High Street, RosemarkieRoss-shire, IV10 8UF.Museum Tel: 01381 620961; Office Tel: 01463 811883Email: curator@groamhouse.org.ukwww: groamhouse.org.uk

LOOKING BACK

During the war years I helped a widowed aunt, Bella Helen, who lived in Dock Street, sawing slabs and cutting kindling on a Saturday. She eked out a living by selling paraffin and lemonade from her late husband's joinery shop next door to her home. My reward was a glass of lemonade (I had been dared to take money), and over this she told me of her years at the fishing. She, Margety ‘Doad' and A.N. Other went off in 1910 and did not return home until 1914 when WW1 broke out. These three comprised a crew, two

gutters and a packer, the latter being my aunt, as she was the smallest (a tote). First they signed up with a curer and in so doing received a signing on fee (arles) of a few pounds. Then off they went to the Shetlands, first by train to Aberdeen, then by ferry to Lerwick. There they lived in huts, providing their own bed linen and kitchen utensils, and the curer paid them 12/6d per week for food. At work the two gutters wore clooties on their fingers to protect them from the sharp knives. As they gutted the herring they selected them by size into

different tubs, Matties, Medium, Full and Large, while the packer filled the barrel with the appropriately selected fish. In the barrel the fish were placed head to the outside, tail to the centre, each layer crosswise to the one underneath. A barrel could contain about one thousand herring, and took about fifteen minutes to fill. A cooper was at hand to inspect the work, and it was usual for a team to pack about thirty barrels in a day. Payment was in the region of 8d. per barrel. As each fishing season finished the women followed the herring and moved on to work in ports such as Fraserburgh, Gt. Yarmouth, Buncrana, Isle of Man, Stornoway and Ayr. Whilst they had accommodation in the Shetlands, elsewhere they lived in digs, paid for by the curer. The work was hard and cold, and in the open in most cases, exposed to the wind and rain in the Shetlands, and to the biting cold on the Denes at Gt. Yarmouth. Travel between ports was by train and ferry. The girls received concessionary fares - there were so many that a special train would be laid on to take them from Fraserburgh to Gt. Yarmouth. The ferries were very basic and on most they bedded down on the straw beside the cattle. All their belongings were packed into a kist, work clothes in a sugar bag strapped to the outside. The Scots boats did not fish on a Sunday so Monday was occupied by topping up the barrels and general tidying up. On Sundays the routine was to have a bath, go to church, meet the fisher lads, have tea with them in the Mission and write letters home. On the whole it was hard work and friendships were made which lasted a lifetime. Bella Helen seemed content and happy with her experience of life as a fisher lassie.

Life at the herrin’Hugh A Patience (HAP)

Hugh says, “The photo is indicative of the time, but who they are, I don’t know. As far as I can gather, about 20 - 30 girls went from Avoch to the fishing at Wick, Fraserburgh and Gt. Yarmouth. Margety ‘Doad,’ Margaret Jack, lived at 27 High Street, but I cannot remember the name of the third girl of the partnership.”

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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

Sir Kenneth Mackenzie and Lady Anne Campbell have returned to the East Church, Cromarty after more than 250 years hidden in the backs of pews or concealed in cupboards. Sir Kenneth and his wife, Lady Anne, were the owners of Cromarty estate from 1695 to 1729 - and it is the remaining pieces of their two wooden armorial panels that have returned to the church. The date of 1702 on Sir Kenneth’s panel suggests that they had them made early on in their ownership of the estate. Each panel would have been around three metres by one metre and bears their own family crest. We do not know where they would have been first displayed, but the broad marks of earlier mounting on substantial timbers, and the number of additional plain yellow-ochre panels, suggest that they might have formed part of a painted ceiling. This was probably in the East Church, but could also have been in Cromarty Castle, which stood near the present Cromarty House. Remarkably the panels were cut up into smaller planks at some point, and re-used to make pew backs in the east (laird’s) loft of the church. Photos taken by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) in 1968 show that they were put design-side outwards, but in a random order with some of the paintings upside-down. Local historian David Alston, commented: “We’ve no date for when they were re-used this way, but the east loft was

built in 1756 for the new laird, Sir John Urquhart, and the Urquharts and Mackenzies weren’t always on the best of terms. So perhaps this was an eighteenth-century snub to the former laird and his lady. And there in the pew backs the panels remained, until being removed for safe keeping in the 1980s.” The £1.2

million Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland supported conservation work on the church gave the perfect opportunity to carry out conservation work on the panels and several other painted wood features in the church. This work was also generously supported by the BBC television ‘Restoration Fund’, from which the East Church received funding as a result of successfully reaching the final in the BBC ‘Restoration Village’ series. The work has been carried out by Fiona Allardyce and Karen Dundas of Scottish Wall Painting Conservators. Commenting on their work in the church Fiona said: “It always gives us great satisfaction to bring back to view some of the original colour and detail of painted wood work, and the armorial panels are no exception. Even though only part of each panel remains, their display side-by-side in the west loft gives a strong impression of the impact they must have made when they were complete.” If you would like to see the armorial panels, the East Church is opened daily by a group of local volunteers.

Laird’s return to the East Church

Fiona Allardyce and Karen Dundas (Scottish Wall Paintings Conservators) and Ian Fraser (LDN Architects) assembling the armorial panels for display

Photographs from the excellent “Cromarty East Church” website athttp://www.eastchurchcromarty.co.uk/

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Jo’s GardenEnterprise

Easter Balmungie Farm, Eathie Roadby Rosemarkie

Tel. 01381 621006Bedding Plants Perennials Herbs

Free Delivery on the Black Isle

LewisMacleman

Plumbing and HeatingGallowhill, Avoch

Telephone 01381 620587Mobile 07833 727434

The Avoch BakeryGeorge Street

avochbakery@gmail.com Tel: 01381 620951 Fresh morning goods daily

Available locally at

Scotmid, AvochRyefield Farm Shop, Tore

SPAR, RosemarkieOrd Filling Station, Muir of Ord

and other good local stores

AVOCHCOMMUNITY CENTRE

for all your functions and indoor games

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 contact

AAA Bookings SecretaryJenye Monckton, telephone 01381 621430

The spell of fine autumn weather continued on Sunday 13th November for a well-attended Remembrance Service held at the Avoch war memorial, which was conducted by Rev. John Marker. Ex-Marine Robert Scott took charge of the parade and trumpeter Bill Burgon sounded Last Post to mark the beginning of two minutes silent tribute, ended with Reveille. Rev. Marker gave a very pertinent and well-received short address and spoke Laurence Binyon’s lines and piper Stephen Miller played the Lament. The branch wreath was laid by Grace Jack. Eoin Munro placed the Seaforth Association’s wreath together with wee Mitchell

Reid, who was proudly wearing his father’s medals. George Brodie laid a wreath for the RAF, Evan Findlay laid a family wreath for the Findlay brothers who were killed in France in 1940 and the Sea Scouts’ wreath was laid by Niall Ferguson. A wreath was laid for Highland Council by Mike Noble and Caroline Eccles laid the Avoch & Killen Community Council wreath. Once again there was a large, smart turnout of Sea Scouts under Scout-Master Derek Martin. Police controlled road traffic this year, especially important when the memorial is so close to the main road, and the Amenities Association is to be thanked for organising this.

Remembrance

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.

Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

Laurence Binyon

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Rosemarkie17 High Street, Rosemarkie

Newspapers and Magazines. You can reserve a copy.

Avoch and Cromarty Bakeries.

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

National Lottery and Scratchcards (no more queues)

Paypoint Services including bill payments, TV licence, mobile top-ups and Collect+ parcel service. Credit and Debit Cards taken. Cash Back available.

Wines, beers and spirits with free glass hire on party packages.

Look out for our £1 ranges and monthly special offers.

Free monthly prize draw in store.

Money off coupons and free entry competitions available athttp://www.sparscotland.co.uk/html/shop.htm

Friendly and personal service.

Free local deliveries within 5 miles by arrangement.

Gwyn Phillips17 High Street

Rosemarkie

Telephone 620206

Macross’s Scotmid puzzle

S H I S M E I OT WO A N D T WO D Y S O NO O A R U I O EWY V I S A N N O T A T E S

E M F T HT O R T U R E A F F L E C KO C I O R IP E A C H B E N U N MA NI G A I R KC L A S S I C I N MY D A Y

R Y N A EF L A T P A C K S N E V I SO G L L E B O LU S A G E E N C L O S U R ER R A S T B T D

The Scotmid prizePost your solution to the Editor marked “CROSSWORD”. The first all-correct answer opened on 1st January will win £20 from Chatterbox and a mystery prize from Scotmid, Avoch.

Congratulations to the winner of

No.58 who was…Alastair Cochrane from Avoch.

(again!!)

Across…7 Raised edge in a 20 (9)8 See 22 down9 Morph I had morph into hooked-beak shape (9)10 Help in Marks and Spencers – with the milk? (5)12, 11 Pullets? (6, 4)13 Gives tenses (8)14, 26 Naming non-PC girl-friends (7, 5)17 Of the summer – in the USA – ‘Oodstock? (7)20 Repeater renovated home for 7 (4, 4)22 Cartoon character – synonymous with cancan? (6)24 Lorca reinvented seasonal song (5)25 Sort out, employees take it in – gets going (6, 3)26 See 1427 Jones is 50/50 – change for seasonal merriment (9)

Down…1 The RAF, somersaulting priest maybe? (6)2 Man’s tail providing ingredients of plant part (8)3 Last of the crew changes height for 10’s place (6)4 Roman general has a hold in a quiet article (7)5 Provide in a London atelier (6)6 Cancel, check around - and thanks for the feud (8)11 See 1215 Triple A vermin – tailless – render up hymn (3, 5)16 Owner-occupier protects emperor (4)18 Lion is in glorious cage for cleaning the air (8)19 Refer to team changing into…(7)21 Beach Boys’ sound of a Welsh valley (6)22, 8 Svelte Tudor outfit (6, 5)23 Make tea, for example, a fashionable way to bring things together (6)

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

Answers to No.58…

Clues…From a seasonal sequence of twelve, its closing four components appear in the solution, along with one other guest appearance. There is not necessarily a literal part to their clues.

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Hairdressing SalonHigh Street, Avoch IV9 8PT

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

Brenda MayCUSTOM MADE BLINDSUnbeatable Factory Prices

MORAY FIRTH BLINDS LTDFriendly Family Business. Serving The

Highlands. Where Service & Quality Counts at a Price That Suits You

Visit Our Showroom or Choose in the Comfort of Your HomeFREE QUOTES, EXPERT DESIGN, FREE FITTING

SERVICE FOR ALL YOUR BLIND NEEDSROLLER - VERTICAL - VENETIAN

WOOD VENETIANS - ALLWOOD VENETIANSVELUX WINDOW BLINDS

26 Millbank Road, Munlochy, Ross-shire01463 811274

NATURE NOTES by the Avoch Observer

In "Heritage Trees of Scotland" published in 2006 by the Foresty Commission, the title of the tallest tree in Europe was given to a Douglas Fir in the Reelig Glen near Beauly. It was named Doughall Mor, and its height was given as 55 metres (180ft). It grows in a sheltered glen through which runs the Moniack Burn. The Herald of 26 Feb. 2009 gave the title to a Douglas Fir in Glendaruel in Argyll. It has grown there since 1848 and has reached the height of 209ft (63.79 metres). In the private grounds of Castle Leod near Strathpeffer there is a very tall Giant Redwood the height of which was given in 2006 as 170ft. with a girth of 29ft. This tree was planted in 1853. A few other Redwoods grow near the Pavilion in Strathpeffer.A fairly large Redwood grows near the Parish Kirk overlooking Avoch, and another with a girth of 28ft.grows at the "Burnt House"which was the home of Sir Alexander Mackenzie, the explorer of Canada, when he returned to Scotland. He died in 1820. The first Redwoods (Wellingtonias) to be grown in Scotland date from 1853. The bark of these trees is very thick (in large trees 2ft), and very soft. As boys we could not resist punching it when walking near the tree. The Scot, John Muir, believed that the Big Tree (Sequoia Gigantea) was nature's forest masterpiece and so far as he knew, the greatest of living things.The largest of these trees are now over 370ft in height and 30ft in diameter and can live for two to three thousand years. Unlike the Pacific Coast, our climate will probably not allow growth to that level, but the trees which are growing here now have the potential to live to 3011 or even 4011.

Image: copyright Edward ParkerAll text and images are copyright of the Forestry Commission and are used with permission

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DIVINEINTERVENTION

De-cluttering, house clearances and cleaning

services

Top to toe Spring CleansHoliday home/rental servicing

Call 01381 621243 for a confidential chat

and info on our servicesplanetclaire_98@yahoo.com

✷

✷

All attempts have failed to trace the author of this aerial photograph of Avoch, which seems to have been taken in the 1980s. The new Community Cente can be seen and it looks as though there is construction work under way in Rosehaugh East Drive and Fletcher Gardens, but the photo seems to predate Knockmuir View and Ladyhill View. Comparison with an up-to-date version from a similar viewpoint would be very interesting.

More than 130 of Scotland's most remarkable trees are stunningly presented in the second edition of Heritage Trees of Scotland, now in its expanded hardback second edition. Many of the trees in it were brought to the authors' attention by members of the public who read the first edition. A number of sample pages is provided, to give a flavour

of the diversity and fascinating histories of the trees listed in the book, and can be viewed on the Forestry Commission website at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/heritagetreesscotland.

Our main picture on the opposite page, left, of Doughall Mor, is taken from the Commission’s website.

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!

The photo, above, shows the extensive woodlands near Avoch, which have arisen from the woods of the estates of Avoch and of Rosehaugh.

Light lunches, teas, coffees and delicious home baking

Open Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm • Sun 12noon - 5pm

Only 1 mile from A9 on B9161 to Munlochy

&Coffee Shop

Merry Christmas from Holly

Christmas At Munro’sChristmas Decorations, Real & Artifical Christmas

Trees, Indoor & Outdoor lights, Seasonal Pot Plants & our own Planted Baskets, Books, Gifts, Christmas

Hampers, Holly Wreaths & Posies, Bird Food & Feeders, Garden Gift Vouchers

MUNRO’S NURSERIES

BOGALLAN, NORTH KESSOCK, INVERNESS

☏ 01463 731210 www.munrosnurseries.co.uk

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A row of bottles on my shelf, caused me to analyze myself.One yellow pill I have to popgoes to my heart so it won't stop. A little white one that I takegoes to my hands, so they won't shake. The blue ones that I use a lottell me I'm happy when I'm not. The purple pill goes to my brain and tells me that I have no pain. The capsules tell me not to wheeze or cough or choke or even sneeze. The red ones, smallest of them all go to my blood so I won't fall. The orange ones, very big and brightprevent my leg cramps in the night.Such an array of brilliant pills helping to cure all kinds of ills. But what I'd really like to knowis what tells each one where to go!

There is always a lot to be thankful for, if you take time to look for it. For example, I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt!

From North East Sensory Services News, January 2011 - submitted by Eoin Munro

“Anyone can write.” This was the emphatic statement made on a television programme recently by a published author. I found myself pondering on the truth or otherwise of such a declaration. There are writers, of course, of exceptional talent – those who have to write, who simply cannot not write; who write every day and for whom writing is the very core of their being, a part of their life blood. It is unlikely that people endowed with this level of talent will feel the need to be part of a writer’s group. There are many others who enjoy writing, like to dabble, or feel the urge to express themselves and for whom writing is a consuming hobby and pastime. They may not have aspirations to publication, or if they do, they are content with modest levels of achievement. For such as these, joining a writers’ group can be a challenging, stimulating and certainly encouraging activity. I have dabbled and scribbled ever since childhood, probably following my mother’s example. She had a very readable and racy style though she never got anything published and acquired a great many rejection slips. Her advice to me was not to be a jack of all trades but to develop one skill to a high level – advice I seem to have studiously ignored. My writing was very private, very personal and therapeutic, in that I could get emotions and feelings down on paper as a way of dealing with them and I found that a healing balm. To find the word or phrase to express exactly what one wants to express can be exceedingly satisfying. My first introduction to a writing group was quite by chance – I offered to chum a friend along to a group. She was diffident, shy and in need of some help with confidence and assurance. She had a very negative reaction to the whole meeting and left absolutely sure that this was not for her. I, on the other hand - and a little to my surprise - found the whole afternoon stimulating and thought-provoking and have never looked back. The first thing I took on board was not to take oneself too seriously and to develop the ability to sit lightly to the whole experience. Then to deliberately put oneself into a frame of mind to appreciate other members’ writing and to be gracious in encouragement or, if required, in gentle criticism. It is very affirming to receive an appraisal and criticism from a well respected writer who

actually does you the honour of taking the time to read your stuff seriously. And there is much to learn from such a relationship, generously given. It was an immense relief to find that the common factor between us all was that we loved writing and nothing else held sway. Rubbing shoulders with the widower who loved to write Mills and Boon stories and the academic who had edited intellectual journals and led an inspirational professional life, the mother of three who managed to escape her charges for a few precious hours and the well-established, prolific and published author of some renown in the area was an extremely liberating experience. Everyone mattered. Everyone’s writings were heard and appreciated. There was no pressure to perform outside one’s comfort

zone: I never find it easy to think up a beginning, middle and end to a piece of writing to order and it was a relief to find others like me – though how I envied those who could. Reading a piece of one’s own writing aloud to the group for the

first time could be a daunting experience. I remember feeling distinctly nervous – and was unprepared for the affirmation I felt on receiving applause at the end of it. I think it universally true that we all thrive on encouragement. Nothing spurs one on more than that – and as time goes on and the practice of writing develops and other themes and genres are explored, an exciting new world opens up – subjects to be researched, knowledge to be gained, local and national competitions to enter, workshops to attend and anthologies to contribute to. The list could go on. It is important to remember that you stay in control of what you want to write, what you want to achieve and what you want to get out of membership of a writers’ group – and what you want to contribute. “Everyone can write.” If this statement has struck a chord and you have not been sure how to proceed or what to do about it, you might like to find out about writers’ groups in your area and give it a go. I did and have never regretted it. I may not be a Booker prize winner, nor do I aspire to be – and perhaps, neither are you - but in between all the different levels of achievement attainable, it is possible that each of us has the potential to find deep levels of satisfaction, friendship and accomplishment. Happy writing!

Writers Groupby Gill McWhirter

New Anthology

Black Isle Writers Group has produced a new anthology, called UP IN THE AIR and other writing. It is A5 size, costs £6, is about 110 pages and contains a mixture of stories, articles and poems, from long-served members (like Elizabeth Sutherland) and new members alike.

The Black Isle Writers’ Group meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month in the Gordon Memorial Hall, Rosemarkie from 2 to 4pm.  If you are interested in joining the group or would like more information about our activities, please contact Freda Bassindale at freda.bassindale@btinternet.com or telephone 01381 620663.

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41CONTACT 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 Line0181 6449914

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

Rape and Abuse Line0808 8000123or 7pm-10pm01349 865316

Reach out Highland01463 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 editor@chatterboxnews.co.uk

Now it’s a long time since World War II, four generations in fact, and I would like to mention two Units which are seldom documented and whose actual existence is barely known. Over the past few years, much has been written and featured about the mansion house, Bletchley Park, where code-breaking took place. To explain – the enemy transmitted information in Morse Code on certain airwaves and our army signal corps intercepted them and wrote down the Morse, covering the transmission 24 hours per day. The Morse was not sent in normal speech but in coded messages which consisted of blocks of five mixed letters. What our operators received was sent on to Bletchley Park, where they had managed to find the key letters to break the codes. The traffic became more intense and in 1941 squads of W.A.T.S began training to help out with interception. The training course lasted 14 weeks at the old cavalry barracks at Trowbridge and, to qualify, the girls had to read Morse at 100 letters per minute. They then transferred to different locations in Britain where groups of radio sets were set up covering the airwaves used by the enemy. Similar to the male operators, the girls covered the transmission 24 hours per day, but in four hour shifts. This period was considered long enough as the operator had to stay constantly alert and concentrate fully on the job. They could not relax, knit, rest, eat, etc., as a message could start suddenly, without any preamble. Also, to confuse, a transmission started on one airwave could suddenly be continued on another. Even if there was no enemy activity on a set,

she would indicate this by writing, every two minutes, ‘no action.’ Of course, airwaves were not completely silent, there would be interference, fading and often the Morse listened to would be difficult to decipher. Seldom did they know the results of their efforts, but sometimes a congratulation note would come from decoding, if something important had been picked up. It was a harrowing job and many, many operators supplied the code breakers. I have only seen brief glimpses of intercept operators on TV documentaries, but they deserve to be lauded and remembered.

Reconnaissance RegimentI understand that the formation of the Reconnaissance (Recce) Reg., was ordered by PM Churchill. Seemingly, Units had their own scouts who went ahead to find out enemy positions and strengths. In 1941, men were transferred from different regiments to form the Recce Battalions and this Scottish Unit moved to England to join 43rd Recce, eventually at Colchester. They had intensive training and light armoured vehicles, e.g. Bren Gun Carriers, motor bikes etc. I am not an authority on this, so if

any Recce men are around, I hope they will add comments. On D-Day, 61st Recce was involved in the first landings. The 43rd Recce was aboard a ship, the Derny Cunity, lying offshore, awaiting landing at a Mulberry harbour, carrying A Squad. and part of C. On 26th June, when the ship’s engine started up, the ship blew up. A magnetic mine had attached itself during the night. One hundred and eighty men of A Squadron perished and 35 survived. The survivors had 10 days leave, then returned to

Europe, being transferred to 61st Recce. They led through Arras, Amiens, Nijmegen, Falaise Gap and Arnhem with great loss of men. In November 1944, when squads were resting in Izeham, vehicles and arms were taken off them, but they were re-armed and journeyed with other British armoured corps to the battle of the Bulge, in the Ardennes, Belgium. They encountered terrible conditions of ice and snow, sleeping below their vehicles for shelter and burning petrol soaked waste below frozen brakes and gears to move their vehicles. They took part in the final ‘Bulge’ battles at Bure and Tellin with great loss of life. I never see the British involvement documented - I understand they had few photographers. A Recce Unit practised landings at Chanonry Point, Rosemarkie and there was a Recce Unit at Nairn, also working on landings on the Firth. There is a window dedicated to the Recce in a church in Nairn featuring their badge – an arrow through lightning. One touch of humour – their badge was sometimes mistaken for a Christmas Tree! The regiment was disbanded at the end of the War.

Wartime recollectionsBetty Ross, 14th July 2011

World War II SOTB (Special Operations Training Battalion) & Reconnaissance Regiment

Humber Light Armoured Car. The type used by 61st Reconnaissance Regiment. 50th Division.

from www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/

NESS HORTICULTURAL SERVICESHorticultural Consultants & Greenhouse Suppliers

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

NESS HORTICULTURAL SERVICES

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Harvest Festivaldecorations at Avoch Congregational ChurchChatterbox photos

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43Peter McNicol is one of Scotland's top young graphic designers. And he now lives among us here in Avoch. Coming here was partly chance, partly the result of happy holidays in the Highlands. He particularly remembers the friendly folk from around Culbokie. The final impulse came when his wife, Joanna, a solicitor, got a job in Inverness. The move up here has proved a good one. The couple have bought part of the Tower House and Peter is able to work from home. And he and Joanna think Avoch is a great place to bring up a family - safe and with a sense of freedom not to be found down in Edinburgh. He himself is originally from Glasgow while Joanna grew up in Dundee and Fife. It took a while, he told me, before he found out what he wanted to do in life. After leaving school he spent four or five years doing all sorts of things - like being a postie, working on building sites and in a cheese factory. He even had a spell as a grouse-beater. But once he made the decision to go in for graphic design things have gone very well indeed. He graduated with First Class Honours in Graphic Design from Duncanstone College of Art in 1994. The same year he was named Young Designer of the Year from Scottish Design Awards - just one of several awards that have come his way. Straight from college he landed a job at one of the country's leading design companies, EH6 Design Consultants, Edinburgh. He says he was lucky to start his career right at the beginning of the digital revolution. He now works part time for another Edinburgh design company. He specialises in designs for corporate identity and design for print. He has done superb work for companies such as Royal Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh International Festival, the Scottish Rugby Union and Royal Mail. Recently, here in Avoch, Peter helped out with some great publicity designs for Avoch Community Council and the Amenities Association. Definitely an asset to Avoch.

IMAGE MANPETER McNICOL

by Sandy Mitchell

Some examples of Peter’s work;Avoch & Killen Community Council logo; commemorative stamps, first day cover, presentation pack and frank marks for the anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns in 2009; identity and accreditation mark for Quality Scotland; badge for Chanonry Cub Group; overall rebranding of the Scottish Rugby Union organisation.

Vacant:Full page colour£140.62

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Quality City Dining - Without the City!

The Plough Inn 48 High Street Rosemarkie Ross-shire

Tel: 01381 620164

Bookings now being taken for Christmas2 course meal, £13.95

4 courses, £19.95

www.highlanddirectory.com/ploughinn

Turn heads, warm hearts and wear red on 24 February for British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland’s National Wear Red Day. Heart disease kills three times more women than breast cancer, but by turning red, you can help BHF Scotland to reduce this number. As part of National Heart Month the nation’s heart charity is calling on locals to brush down their red dresses, shake out their red locks or even unlock their most precious Louboutins to help raise valuable money for its fight against heart disease. A famous fashion designer once said, “When in doubt, wear red” and that’s exactly what BHF Scotland is encouraging you to do. It can be a touch of red for those who want to be more

alluring or it could be a full blown outfit dedicated to the ‘emotionally-intense’ colour. By making a suggested donation of just £1, women, men and children around the country will make a big difference in beating Scotland’s biggest killer on National Wear Red Day. It’s also a leap year in 2012 which means there is an extra day in February that you can use to help the nation’s hearts. The bonus day could be used for a Wear Red Day, if you can’t fit it in on the 24th but, if red isn’t your thing, there are other ways of getting involved and sharing the love. Local Fundraising Volunteer Manager, Kathy McIlwaine, says: “There

are lots of ways you can raise vital funds during National Heart Month. To find out more and to order your free Red for Heart Fundraising Kit today - visit bhf.org.uk/red or call 0300 330 0645.”

You can pen the person you love a Love Note for a suggested donation of £1 and have it posted in one of BHF Scotland’s shop windows for all to see! What’s more, any women thinking of taking advantage of the leap year can use the heart-shaped notes as the perfect way to pop the question.

Or buy your loved one a gift such as a Sweetheart Hot Water Bottle or Heart Cufflinks – there is a whole array of heart-warming gifts at the BHF’s online shop. http://giftshop.bhf.org.uk/

Look red hot and save livesBHF Scotland needs you to Go Red for Heart in February