FREE AB54 ISSUE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER O. SEVENTEEN · PDF fileFREE ISSUE NO. SEVENTEEN, SPRING 2017 COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER YOUR NEWS, YOUR VIEWS, YOUR COMMUNITY. AB54 Aberchirder, Blacklaw,

FREE Issue No. seveNteeN, sprINg 2017

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

YOUR NEWS, YOUR VIEWS, YOUR COMMUNITY.

AB54

Aberchirder, Blacklaw, Cabrach, Cairnie, Clatt, Drumblade, Forgue, Gartly,

Glass, Glenbarry, Glendronach, Huntly, Kennethmont, Knock, Largue, Lumsden,

Rhynie, Rothiemay, Ruthven and Ythanwells.

AB54 COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER FOR:

Issue No. Seventeen, Spring 2017

Page 2Your News, Your Views, Your Community

CONTENTSCairney Primary School P2 Gartly Community

AssociationP3 New Life in Scotland P4 Deeside Stroke Group P5

Rough Road to Recovery P6 H.E.T.I. P7 The Huntly Recovery Hub P8 NoW - Counselling Service P9

Huntly Netball Group P10 Inspiring Insch P11 Meadows Care Home p11 Animal Rescue P12

Market Musings P13 Elturnertives - 10th Anniversary

P14 Balhousie Care Home P15 Prevent Suicide App P16

Vattenfall Clashidarroch Windfarm Trust

P16 Huntly Community Council P17 Occupational Therapy P18 NoW - Living Wage Employer P18

Listings P19 ‘Whar’s On’ P20

Front cover - ‘Dragonfly’ reproduced by kind permission of Jill Sowden

ANTHONY GILLON JOINERKitchens, bathrooms fitted and plumbed,

Hardwood floors, Fitted furniture,Book shelves, Wardrobes etc.,

Extensions, Porches, Conservatories,Roofs, Plastering,

Renovation and Decking

Tel: 01466 781850 Mob: 0788 1885 396Facebook: Anthony Gillon Carpenter

HUNTLY BIKE SHACK

OPEN TUESDAY to THURSDAY10AM TO 3PM

BIKE SERVICE AND REPAIR; BIKES AVAILABLE FOR ALL AGESBIKES FOR HIRE (by appointment only)

WE WILL RECYCLE YOUR OLD OR UNWANTED BIKESSupported by Networks of Wellbeing Ltd., Registered Charity SCO21861

The Clashmach Centre, 18 Steven Road, Huntly AB54 8SX

Although Christmas may seem a long time ago our successful Christmas show is still very fresh in our minds. Even though Cairney School only has ten pupils we still managed to pull off a show that was well attended and much complimented on.

Roald Dahl’s musical ‘Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf’ was a challenge to perform and it involved some of us having to take on more than one part. We all worked really hard to learn all the songs and we were helped by Mr. Main, our Visiting Music Teacher. We even managed to sing some of the songs in har-mony in two parts. We were lucky enough to have an after school art club run by some parents who took on the job of painting the backdrops. In the run up to preparing for our show we were fortunate enough to get to see the dress rehearsal of Annie, at The Gordon Schools. This gave us the chance to see others perform and gave us ideas on how to improve our acting skills. We had about sixty people come to our show which was amazing considering the size of our school. The show went really well and we received feedback such as: ‘Brilliant’, Small cast, big show’ and ‘Fabulous singing, great acting’.

We asked for donations and also held a raffle and raised £141.00. We decided to split this amount between school funds and Barnardo’s. Although the costumes are all packed away and the stage is bare we are already looking forward to our next Christmas production. We hope you can join us.

By the Pupils of Cairney School

Cairney Primary School

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AB54 Produced by Networks of Wellbeing Ltd

Gartly Community Hall began life as Gartly Public Hall in 1930 being built as a response to the needs of the local Gartly community. Its administrative body was called Gartly Public Hall Committee whose President was the Rev W. K White. The original document states the purpose of the Hall to be “used at all times for such social, recreative, municipal, educational or local purposes as may be of advantage to said residents or inhabitants (of Gartly and the Parish).”

In 2015, the Gartly Hall Committee decided it was time to strengthen links with the community and local school. Subsequently, the Hall became entitled Gartly Community Hall with Gartly Community Association Committee as its administrative body. However, although the official name of the Hall and its administrative body has changed, its role and function in the community remains the same. In keeping with this some committee members and the Marr Area Partnership undertook a comprehensive survey of Gartly Parish to identify the needs of the residents and to develop a community action plan which was published in 2016. It is hoped there will be some action on outcomes of the plan in the not too distant future. At the same time students from Gartly Primary School joined together in developing a logo for the first time for Gartly, representing the diverse occupations and activities in Gartly Parish.

Over the succeeding years, the Hall became referred to locally and colloquially as the Tin Hut, reflecting the main material from which it was built. The Hut became a hub for many varied events including regular music session and concerts, art shows, summer school tutorial workshops and more recently, exercise classes.

Currently, important fund raising activities for the maintenance and renovation of the Hall itself are being planned for example; many people will be familiar with the twice yearly ‘Legs Go For a Walk’ a regular fund raising event.

Family celebrations, ceilidhs, weddings, Burns Suppers, Family Bingo Evenings, Children’s Christmas parties, Hogmanay Nights and the famous Tin Hut Suppers are but a few of the occasions enjoyed in the Hall.

The Gartly Community Association Committee is also acutely aware of the need to maintain communication links in Gartly Parish and as part of the wider community. This the Committee is achieving by using social media and internet: http://www.gartlycommunityassociation.co.uk/.

by Twitter, https://twitter.com/gartlyca and by Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GartlyCommunityHall.

Tin Hut music and concert sessions can be found at :

https://www.facebook.com/TinHutSessions/ or http://www.tinhutsessions.co.uk

Finally, as part of its commitment to the wider community the Committee has made the Hall available for hire; details at the Gartly Hall website - http://www.gartlycommunityassociation.co.uk/.

GARTLY COMMUNITY HALL ASSOCIATION



Coffee or lunch, we’re just your cup

of tea.Whether you’re popping in for a coffee or Sunday lunch, a warm welcome is always on the menu at Dean’s Café Bistro. And with a delightful gift shop to browse around, baby changing facilities, WiFi and a lift, we cater for everyone.

Open 7 days. Mon to Sat 9am–5pm. Sun 10am–4pm.

Huntly, Aberdeenshire. T: 01466 794105 deans.co.uk

A New Life has started for us since our arrival to Scotland. And of course we had a few challenges, one of these challenges was transport. Shortly after we arrived, all members of the Syrian families living in Aberdeenshire were gifted with bicycles, this was the most precious gift we have received since our arrival. Everybody was so happy to receive such a precious gift, as it solved the problem of transport. Most of us used our bikes to commute, going to the shops or cycle to school etc. However, Abdal Mtaleb, aged 17 and Laith aged 16, had other ideas. During the summer holidays, Abdal Mtaleb and Laith were feeling bored, so they have decided to go to Aberdeen beach for a walk and some fresh air. They had also decided that they were going to cycle there. It took them 2 hours to cycle from Inverurie to Aberdeen Beach, and when they arrived they took some photos and sent them to their families and friends some encouraged and applauded them for their bravery and doing something to get over their boredom and some blamed them for taking such a risk and cycling all the way to Aberdeen on a dangerous road. This experience did not end there. The rest of the lads, 5 in total, were inspired and have decided to cycle to all Aberdeenshire towns and villages since most of these places were not very far from where we live. We started last summer, we planned to climb up Bennachie, and have a picnic on its summit. We packed our stuff, and we met at 8 O’clock in the morning, we reached the summit at 12:00 pm. We cycled to a new place in Aberdeenshire every week during the summer holiday. We will continue doing the same this summer. All the Syrian families would like to thank everyone who took part in presenting us with this precious gift , it saved us lots of time and effort and we would like to show our gratitude by promising to give our best to this beautiful country and its wonderful people by proactively participating in community activities.Yours, Syrian new Scots

Our New Life in Scotland

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Please excuse an interloper from AB34, but we hope that readers of AB54 might be

interested to hear about us and how the work of the Stroke Association might also benefit people in your community. Deeside Stroke Group is a Stroke Association voluntary group providing regular exercise opportunities for people affected by stroke. We meet weekly in the Auld Kirk Hall, Aboyne for a class which is led by our excellent exercise professional, Sue Leftwich.

Stroke is a devastating condition which can strike anyone at any age without warning. One in six of us will have a stroke at some point in our lives. The good news is that thanks to medical improvements, many more people now survive a stroke. The less good news is that stroke can leave you with long term physical and neurological disabilities. For example, following a stroke, you might be left with severe speech difficulties or no speech at all. You might have no real use of the limbs on one side of your body, or serious weakness in those limbs. Your vision might be impaired. Unsurprisingly, many people who survive a stroke suffer from emotional problems, depression and loneliness. Most suffer from chronic exhaustion.

On leaving hospital, those who survive a stroke often find that support from health and social care is limited and they have to learn to self-manage their condition - with or without the support of a carer. For anyone, but for younger people in particular, all of this can be devastating.

Across the UK, the Stroke Association supports a large number of voluntary groups which provide for the very specific needs of those who have survived a stroke. These groups include the Deeside Stroke Group, where the focus is very much on physical activity, although the group has an important social function as well. Enjoyment is allowed.

You can find details about the group at the Stroke Association website – www.stroke.org.uk.

If you feel that there might be scope for a Stroke Association voluntary group in the AB54 area, or if you’d like to volunteer or simply find out more information, there is a local Stroke Association contact, Susie Bennett, whose email address is [email protected] or you are welcome to contact me on 07442 502574.

Finally, if you are venturing into the AB34 postcode area (Aboyne) on a Wednesday morning, why not drop in and visit us at the Auld Kirk Hall? You will be made very welcome.

Eric SinclairStroke Association volunteer

Deeside Stroke Group



I Can’t Have an Eating Disorder because…I see such statements a lot in the brave souls I follow who are attempting recovery from an eating disorder. Stereotypes of eating disorder sufferers have been built up, primarily I believe, by the media. • Anorexia sufferers have to be painfully thin and have a hatred of food. • Bulimia sufferers have to make themselves purge a certain number of times a day. • If you don’t have anorexia or bulimia then you can’t possibly have an eating disorder. Misinformed, media-friendly bulls**t.These myths and rumours can leave people who are suffering from an eating disorder confused and frustrated. They don’t fit this ED mould, so are they even really suffering? I hate this. I hate that anyone with eating issues, or indeed any mental health issues, should be made to feel like their problem isn’t as significant as the stereotype. This needs to stop. #1: I’m at a healthy weight, I can’t have an eating disorder.This one deserves an article all of its own, and in fact I will write one in the coming weeks. It breaks my heart every time I see a sufferer proclaim that they’re ‘too fat’ or ‘not sick enough’ to be worthy of treatment. I’ve heard accounts of people who are worried to go to their doctor for fear that they’ll not be taken seriously.There’s a crippling assumption that eating disorders are just about losing weight, and that if you’re not terribly underweight then you don’t have one. I can’t elaborate too much on how wrong this is. Just because you look fine, doesn’t mean you are fine. The mental blight of eating disorders can affect people of any weight, at any time, and your weight is not a gauge of how sick you are. #2: I’m male, I can’t have an eating disorder.Before I really knew what was happening to me, I felt this way. I genuinely thought that eating disorders, particularly anorexia, were female-only diseases. Obviously I was corrected a bit harshly! In fact, male eating disorders are probably more common than we currently believe. “Men Get Eating Disorders Too (MGEDT)” is a registered charity that seeks to improve treatment for male ED sufferers. They write:“ Between 10 and 25 per cent of those people experiencing eating disorders are male. We know that the majority of men who have eating disorders struggle to get access to appropriate support and treatment.”It took a long time for my family and me to identify the eating issues. I had no bloody clue, and it shouldn’t be this way.

#3: I like food, I think about it all the time. I can’t have an eating disorder.Having an eating disorder does not mean you hate food, or aren’t hungry. Yup, this was another one of my own misconceptions. Because I still liked food, because I still ate and enjoyed food in a very precise way, I proclaimed that I couldn’t have an eating disorder. Emily Trosicanko has written a post about how anorexics really feel about food. I quote:“The traditional clinical wisdom is that anorexia is characterised by an ‘anhedonic’ mind state, in which no reward or pleasure is experienced, but recent experiments suggest that this is an over-simplification, and that people suffering from anorexia still like food but just don’t want it in the usual way; they experience ‘partial reward’ when it comes to food, rather than no reward at all.“Eating disorders aren’t just about food. Some sufferers eat normally and enjoy their food, but compensate with over-exercising in pursuit of weight loss.

Image from http://www.hexjam.com/uk/living/misconceptions-about-eating-disorders

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#4: I’m not anorexic. I’m not bulimic. I can’t have an eating disorder.Just because you don’t restrict all the time, or don’t purge all the time, doesn’t mean your eating issues aren’t valid. “Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS)” is one such example. Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and diabulimia are others. Just because you don’t fit into a well-known category is no reason to feel less valued.

You might not be starving yourself. You might not binge. You might not purge. You might not over-exercise. You might not engage in any of the stereotypical behaviours. But please, please don’t ignore the issues you face. You deserve help. #5: I felt fine today and ate well without guilt, I can’t have an eating disorder.Recovery from an eating disorder is a roller-coaster! We all have good days and bad days. Sometimes we can have good weeks, or even months! Eating disorders have been part of our identity, and when it feels like we’re losing that, it’s scary. When I started gaining weight and eating properly, I felt like I was losing something, and I panicked. “I don’t have an eating disorder. I’m gaining weight. I’m eating normally. I’m a fake”.

But that was my eating disorder talking. The eating disorder was getting pissed that I was doing well, and so it tried to tell me that there wasn’t a problem in the first place. No matter how well you’re doing, how much weight you’ve gained, how well you’ve suppressed behaviours, you’ve fought for it. It wasn’t easy. Don’t forget that. You deserve the same treatment as anyone else suffering. You deserve the same love and attention as anyone else suffering. It doesn’t matter how your eating disorder manifests itself. It doesn’t matter how extreme your behaviours are. All that matters is you. Don’t let any troll, tabloid or Tweet tell you otherwise.

For more information on Dan’s recovery journey visit his blog at http://www.roughrecovery.com

Huntly ethical trading initiative (HETI) is a small group of people from Huntly and the surrounding area who

are seeking to promote ethical and sustainable trade. One aspect of this is maintaining Huntly’s Fair trade town status.

This year Fairtrade fortnight runs from 27th Feb to 12th March and has the theme “It’s time to put Fairtrade in your break” . We are inviting everyone to join in our own “Great big Fairtrade break” by using Fair trade products for your break, at home, at work and in local organisations. Come along to our stall at Huntly Farmers market on 4th March to pick up your £1 fair break pack (contains Fairtrade coffee, tea, sugar and biscuits for two people) provided in collaboration with The Gordon Schools fair trade group. Delicious Fairtrade chocolate will also be on sale along with a chance to win some more Fairtrade goodies in our raffle and prize draw! Using products that have the fairtrade mark ensures that producers have a fair wage and safe working conditions and helps some of the world poorest people work themselves out of poverty.

If you would like more information please contact Carole (HETI secretary) at [email protected]

Huntly Ethical Trading INitiative



John’s Journey - The man behind the silhouette.APRIL 2010, arrested for selling Heroin, a controlled drug that had me seriously addicted and out of control, dealing to sustain my brutal habit of being an addict.

Then October 2010, I commenced on a Methadone programme, eventually titrating to 100mls per day.

March 2011, imprisoned, guilty of the crime and handed a three-year sentence. Losing my secure job and locked up at HMP Perth at the age of 44, my first time in prison.

In March 2012, released on TAG, a curfew from 1900 hours till 0700 for 6 months.

I wasn’t getting anywhere in life, sitting around, stuck on a large amount of Methadone and picking my prescription up daily, and a criminal conviction, thinking there was little chance of anyone employing me.

Summer 2012 - when I got motivated. Living in such a beautiful place as Lochaber and having a passion for the mountains, I donned my boots and forced myself out. Ben Nevis summit was merely five miles as the crow flies from my house, and I had stunning views of it to inspire me to move on. Every single day I would go out and push myself, roughly ascending 1000ft on a nearby hill right next to the Ben, going out regardless of the weather conditions. I continued this daily, rarely missing a day well into 2013 and got myself reasonably fit whilst reducing my Methadone script gradually. I was so determined and pushed myself so much, I even dropped down below 10 stones, and eventually got an appointment with a Dietician to recommend a more staple diet for me.

An eviction notice was delivered to me late December 2012, due to not paying rent arrears. It was early 2013 when I had engaged with Lifestyles, this was a housing support organization in Lochaber based in Fort William. They were extremely helpful guiding me through very tough times, saving my abode and sorting out bankruptcy to eradicate all debts, mostly occurred because of my addiction problem. It was also them that put me in touch with Voluntary Action Lochaber.

I had thought to myself volunteering was the only way forward. I could see no other way to gain respect and get myself back into the community that I loved. Voluntary Action Lochaber took me on and accepted me for who I was, and I was treated as though I

was an employee. I was volunteering for Action for Children and gained trust and respect, making me feel proud and worthy again.

I kept up my fitness and volunteering everyday, and was doing many miles of hill walking daily, eventually going farther and exploring the North face of Ben Nevis. I went and tackled a classic scramble up ledge route, and I had studied the guide book for quite some time before undertaking that mission. Throughout 2013 and 2014 I had gone solo climbing well out of my comfort zone, unprotected without ropes. I completed all four of the classic ridges on Ben Nevis, and many other very difficult climbs. Observatory ridge was probably the most serious undertaking, after completing it that day I thought to myself, there was a great chance of me getting clean after pushing myself to the limits.

I finally got off the methadone on the 14th of October 2014, after dropping down to merely a teaspoon worth a day. The key for me was staying motivated, and I realised that you can genuinely get a buzz off of life, for me this was living my dream.

I went a whole year with no support. I had left Fort William on November the 5th 2014, three weeks after completing my Methadone course. My Community Psychiatric Nurse would have continued my support, but because I had left Lochaber she couldn’t, so I ground it out until I self-referred to CAIR Scotland almost a year later.

Throughout 2015 I continued on my journey staying strong and feeling good. I was staying in Insch with Bennachie basically on my doorstep, so I kept up the motivation almost doing Bennachie daily, this was my therapy. I was engaging with CAIR Scotland and going to the recovery café in Huntly on a Friday, meeting other people in recovery and helping out

The Huntly Recovery Hub

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voluntarily. This was also great therapy, and getting some great support along the way.

In 2015 I secured a part time job with CAIR, things were starting to look even better for me, back into employment at last. I had worked so hard to get this far and I reckon I deserved that chance. That job was only short term, but it was a chance which opened more doors. I keep striving forward and life is more valuable than ever before.

‘’Choose life not drugs’’. I’m now currently working fulltime and my journey in recovery will continue and I will continue to live my dream - of life without drugs. JOHN WILLIAM SMITH

For further information telephone: Diane Ord, Development Worker

On: 07709483283 or 01467 624240 CAIR Scotland is registered in

Scotland as a Charitable Company limited by Guarantee. Company no. 291928.

Charity no. SCO 24173.

The Huntly Recovery HubRecovery happens - we are here to help.. The Basement, The Linden Centre Huntly

Every Friday Morning 10am to 1pmA safe place for people to come together, seek support, meet new

friends, learn new skills & revive forgotten talent’s and person centred recovery coaching.

One to one consultations are available from 3-5pmThe Recovery Cafe Lunch 1-3pm

The Recovery Hub operates a Volunteer-led Recovery Café, in the Community Kitchen at the Linden Centre, where anyone can access

good food, healthy eating, nutritional information, housing information, cooking skills, courses, friendship, support services and much more.

Networks of Wellbeing is introducing one to one counselling sessions as part of the service they offer the community.

Counselling can provide a safe and regular space to talk about and explore difficult feelings and problems. It can offer support to find a better understanding of problems and help individuals decide on the best way forward for them.

Counselling can be used to help with many kinds of psychological distress, for example:

• dealing with feelings of depression or sadness• dealing with feelings of anxiety• living with traumatic experiences• dealing with long-term illnesses• dealing with bereavement or relationship breakdown• coping with redundancy or work-related stress• exploring issues of identity

Our confidential counselling service is available to all members of the community over 18 years of age and is free of charge. If you feel counselling might be something that would be helpful for you please contact us requesting an initial appointment where you can meet with a counsellor and find out about the service and ask any questions you may have.

For more information call us on 01466 793732 or drop in and see us at The Clashmach Centre, 18 Steven Road, Huntly, AB54 8SX. We are open from 9:30am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday and the kettle is always on.

New Counselling Service at Networks of Wellbeing



If you have an article or an advert you would like included in our next edition

please contact us at:

[email protected] or call us on 01466 793732

All information for the SUMMER edition should be sent to us before

21st April 2017

AB54 SUMMER EDITION

Competitive prices

All your office supplies

FREE next day delivery in the Huntly area

No minimum order

For a free catalogue get in touch ...

tel 01343 549869

Huntly Tea Dance

Mondays 2 - 4pm in the Stewarts Hall

27th March, 24th April, 22nd May

Admission £3Free tuition from 1 - 2pm with Alison Milne

HUNTLY AUTO SERVICESMICHAEL LAW

*WE ARE NOW AN MOT TEST CENTRE*UNIT 30 STEVEN ROAD IND ESTATE

HUNTLY AB54 8SX

01466 799 639AUTO DIAGNOSTIC/ELECTRICAL WORK

TIMING BELTS/GENERAL SERVICING & REPAIRS

Invites with GraceBeautiful, elegant, bespoke wedding stationery to match your theme and your budget.

Contact Grace Donaldson on 01466 792905 or [email protected]

Huntly Netball Club are welcoming new members of all abilities and ages (14-114!).

We meet every Wednesday (during term time) at The Gordon Schools PE Hall between 8-9pm. If you are interested please just pop along - first session is free then £3 thereafter.

Please like our Facebook page as this will keep you updated with events, etc.

If you have any questions please message us through Facebook or email us at [email protected].

HUNTLY NETBALL CLUB

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Inspiring Insch runs every Tuesday, 10am-2pm in Insch Community Centre.

‘Inspiring Insch’ started in 2014, when we realised that Insch needed a group that could help people socialise more and support others without stigma.

We thought it would be beneficial if there were ac-tivities taking place too so that it wasn’t awkward for people to walk in for starters. We run a vari-ety of activities each week, from art, quizzes and board games, which you don’t have to take part in if you don’t want to.

We have home bakes every week and as much tea and coffee as you can drink.

We have been informed that we are a big part of some people’s week and that we are an open group which people can feel part of straight away, and we will continue to provide this to the best of our abilities.

Inspiring Insch

The Meadows care home in Huntly held a burns supper on Wednesday the 25th of January.Tom McWillam from the Huntly rotary club addressed the haggis and Hamish Dean was the piper.The residents then enjoyed some highland dancing from a couple of pupils from the Jessiman dance school.

The Meadows is now under new management and Elaine Crawford, the new manager, is planning a few fund raising events in the coming months for the residents social fund. The aim is to purchase some sensory equipment for our dementia unit and she hopes that the local community will get behind them and support the fund raising.

News from The Meadows Care Home



Until recently Suzy (who lives near Aberdeen) was actively involved in animal rescue. For health reasons Suzy has had to take a break

from this hugely worthwhile cause. Here is her story - I should warn you that the content is distressing. It is hard to believe that, in this day and age, such things still happen.

“I have decided after a lot of consideration to take a much needed break from taking dogs to foster.

Khaleb, who has just arrived is my 80th rescue in just under 4 years. During this time I have (with the exception of 3 dogs) funded all the dogs release, kennelling, prep, neutering and travel on my own, with the support of my friends buying from my auctions and donating, and asking only 1/3 of what I have paid out for an adopt fee to ensure they go to first class homes.

In the Autumn of 2016 I ended up in hospital with a minor heart attack, due directly to stress.

Anyone who is involved in rescue will understand why this happens, and I feel I need to take some time out for my own health and financial state. I will continue to do homechecks for rescues around Europe; share and support dogs in need as I have always done; and donate where I can, however I am unable to take any dogs for the moment.

It is really hard for me as already I have had to refuse to take in several dogs, but I really need some time out. If you think this is selfish I am sorry, but I need time to recharge and to concentrate on my own dogs for a while since they have had to take a back seat a lot of the time.

Watching the abject cruelty, torture and exploitation of animals takes its toll on ones mental state, there are nights where I cannot sleep for worrying about yet another sentient soul suffering at the hands of “humans” - something my rescue friends can relate only too well.

Anyone looking in on rescue, and who has not been a part of it, can have no comprehension of what goes on, thinking it is only about picking a cute puppy from a nice clean shelter and dropping it off at its shiny new home, If only.....

The reality for me has been very different - and I have not been there at the worst end - looking into the filthy cages of bleeding, starving and dying dogs; of puppies and elderly dogs dumped there to await their fate of be-ing left to starve, being gassed, beaten to death, or having their throats cut.

In Spain the worst victims are the hunting dogs, mainly podencos and galgos, but many other breeds are used too. If they can’t hunt then once the hunting season is over they are killed, or dumped. The methods of killing are as inhumane as you get, hanging them from trees, nailing them to walls, putting a block of wood in their mouths so they slowly starve to death and various other methods.Those that are dumped, or manage to escape, suffer mental and physical trauma, having been kept in a dark shed chained up for most of the day and, in order to survive, having to fight the other dogs to get to the bread and water that is thrown in to them. That is if they manage to survive the beatings and being dragged on chains behind a fast moving truck to “train them”. Many are bred every season to produce the next hunters, and many die giving birth as they are seldom given any help or vet care.

In Romania, the cruelty climbs to another level. Dog catchers are paid for each dog they pick up, dead or alive, many are choked to death by the noose they catch them with, many are kicked, hit with rocks and sticks, most of the shelters are run by the government, where they receive no care, food or water. They get days to find a home and if this fails then, at night, they are bludgeoned to death in front of their kennel mates, the only evi-dence of their existence being a river of blood in the shelter in the morning.

I have also rescued from Cyprus, where the cruelty is very similar and is worsening by the day. No-one wants

New home, own bed, and very much loved.

Unloved, unwanted and emaciated

Animal Rescue - My Story

Page 13


to adopt the dogs in the shelters there, so they are simply killed, and this is by no means done humanely.

We need to do all we can to help the dogs from these countries, at the moment they are simply born to die. They only have us to fight for them.

Please help to raise awareness of the wonderful work done by rescuers around the world. Although it may be hard for you to look at the images, this is nothing compared to what these animals have endured.

I believe that we have to fight, campaign, share and care to raise awareness of what is going on around the world and I include the UK in that. Don’t think that we are immune to animal cruelty, a lot goes on here too.

Please, if you can, send the price of a cup off coffee to one of the many rescue centres who are faced with looking at this suffering on a daily basis.

BARRK Aberdeenshire: www.barrk.co.ukFor the Love of Dogs and Cats in Spain: www.fortheloveofdogsandcats.orgPrincess Animal Recscue Spain: www.facebook.com/Princessanimalrescue/Bianca Filip Rescue Romania:- www.cnancollas.wixsite.com/b-f-aThank you for reading. One Love. Suzy’

Hopelessness ...

New home, very much loved

MARKET MUSINGSHuntly Farmers’ Market, 1st Saturday of the month from 9am – 1pm in Huntly SquareThe newest stalls at Huntly Farmers’ Market produce two of life’s essentials – bread and beer.

The Highlanders Bakehouse, based in Ballater, makes a wide variety of bread – from traditional white and wholemeal loaves, to foccaccia, ciabattas, sweetened dough wreaths...and individual rolls and scones. Baker Shona Jamieson is serious about making ‘real’ bread without the use of flour improvers, additives or processing aids and the bread is all made from scratch, allowed to prove slowly, and baked fresh for the market. The Highlanders Bakehouse is a member of The Real Bread Campaign which was co-founded by well-known sourdough baker Andrew Whitely, and their bread carries the Real Bread Loaf Mark – a sign that their bread is made with all natural ingredients and without the use of processing aids or artificial additives. Apart from anything else, their bread is delicious – as evidenced by the fact that they have sold out at almost every Huntly Farmers’ Market so far.

Fierce Beer Co is a small brewery based in Dyce. It started out as a home-brewing hobby and after lots of positive feedback from friends developed into what they describe as a ‘nano-brewery’, still based in their house. In April 2016 Fierce Beer expanded into their present micro-brewery premises in Dyce. Recognising that there are plenty of micro-breweries in the north of Scotland these days, Fierce Beer decided to specialise in their own niche of unusually flavoured beers. The beer is carefully brewed using natural ingredients, and without the use of fining chemicals or pasteurisation. The brewers believe that this helps to preserve the unique flavours of their beers. Unlike some breweries, Fierce Beer don’t just add flavours at the end of the process, but include them through each step of brewing - which gives a particular depth of flavour. Their range includes fruity berry beers, peanut flavours and even coffee flavours.

For more information about Huntly Farmers’ Market, please check the farmers market website (www.huntlyfarmersmarket.co.uk), Huntly Farmers Market Page on facebook or email [email protected]



In August 2007, local couple Ellie and Martyn Turner turned their passion for all things fair trade into a business. They set up to sell hand made craft items that have been traditionally made with eco-friendly and sustainable materials by artisans from all over the world, including almost 40 local crafters and artists.

Initially they traded from market stalls and those little stands in shopping centres until moving into their first shop in Bogie Street, Huntly at the end of 2009. Within a year they had moved up to a bigger shop in Duke Street, which is where they remain today.

Over the years they have increased their ranges to include clothing, a wide range of fair trade foods, chocolates, sweets, teas and coffees, household products and a small health and beauty range too as well as the hundreds of fabulous hand crafted gift items they have. Huntly’s Primary School has had a Fair Trade tuck shop for a few years – it’s Ellie and Martyn who supply all the sweets and snacks for this. The children run the tuck shop themselves (with a little help from their teachers!). This helps to improve their maths, social skills and learning about fair trade increases their knowledge of world affairs too.

“People often ask us what Fair Trade is … it’s about helping our World’s poor out of poverty by giving them honest work. It’s about making sure the artisans work in good conditions with proper health and safety regulations, regular breaks and holidays and it’s about paying them a fair wage.” Every Friday, Ellie posts a “Fair Trade Fact or

Fiction” on the shop’s facebook and twitter page – it’s just for fun and is designed to tell people something about Fair Trade they might not know. These facts are also put onto their website, where you will also find handouts that Ellie has produced (usually for previous events and school projects) and a few puzzles and quizzes designed by Ellie to get you thinking and learning about Fair Trade.

Fair Trade employers, worker groups and co-operatives are encouraged to put something back into their community. Most do this by donating a proportion of their profit to a local charitable organisation such as a local health centre or by buying school books for children to study with. Some employers also provide free crèche facilities and after school clubs so that women can work too.”

Ellie and Martyn have adopted this ethos and they too put back into our local community mainly by giving raffle prizes to charitable events. They have collection tubs on their counter and also donate

to local charities via direct sales, prize draws and fund-raising events. For nearly two years now they have been supporting Inverurie based charity “Inspire Soaps” – a charity which supports adults with learning disabilities. To date Ellie and Martyn have

raised £579.56 for them from selling Inspire’s hand made soaps in their shop.

Ellie often organises “Crafting Days”. These days are designed to showcase the work of the many local crafters and artists who put their work into The Ethical Gift Shop for sale. They are for people to come and meet the crafters and to give valuable hints and tips to those wanting to try the crafts on show. For this 10th Anniversary Year, Ellie has organised more events than usual. Some of these events are ticketed, some are workshops or demonstrations and some are just for fun. All of the money raised from these events will be donated to local charities.

One of these events is their brand new “10% Off Day”. To celebrate 10 years, Ellie and Martyn will host a 10% Off Everything Day on the 10th of each month during 2017. The first two of these very successful days have already passed – there’s only 10 more of them!! Make sure you pop along

to see them on the 10th of each month to grab a bargain (or ten!). Their 10% off days offer extended opening hours until 8pm and the 10% discount is available online too.

Up-coming Ethical Gift Shop Events:

As well as our regular 10% Off Days and some early opening days, there will be prize puzzles

The Ethical Gift Shop - 10 Years in Business, 2007-2017

Page 15


Christmas time at Balhousie Huntly was full of fun. We started off our festive season with a surprise visit from 3 beautiful reindeers from Aviemore, the visit was definitely a highlight for most of the residents that week. Through December we enjoyed our Christmas Fayre, Mince pie tea, Christmas carol service, Christmas party, Residents awards, Christmas Eve buttery morning and also two 90th birthday parties. Our cinema showings in December were all Christmassy films including Home Alone and White Christmas.Also in December about 18 residents also took part in some intergenerational work with Mrs Barclays P6 class. The two generations worked together to create 12 beautiful posters for the ‘12 days of Christmas’ which was displayed in the homes café for the Christmas period. The residents who took part really enjoyed working with the children.Burns Suppers We held our two FFE (Family Focussed Events) Burns Suppers on Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th January. Both nights were a great success and the entertainment over the two nights was

excellent! The chefs excelled with the beautiful food and a big thank you to all who came along on both nights. On Burns day the residents enjoyed a concert in the afternoon from some of the Gordon Primary school pupils who put on an excellent show with a variety of entertainment.Upcoming Events in the homeMothers’ Day Celebrations

FFE BingoDaffodil Tea Help for Heroes Tea Party National Care Homes Open Day 16th June (plans still to be arranged).

For more information on Balhousie and to see what we have been up to go to the Balhousie website – www.balhousiecare.co.uk and click on residents activities and select Huntly Care Home.

Balhousie, Huntly - Care Home Activities and Events

and competitions to look out for. The Ethical Gift Shop also has the following plans:

February 27th-March 12th – Fair Trade FortnightThis year’s theme is all about having a Fair Trade Snack.Ellie has produced a word search and fact file about some of the snacks we can buy Fair Trade. There’s no prize this time – it’s just for fun!There will be little snack tasters in the shop during the fortnight.• Ellie will post a Daily Fair Trade

Snack Fact during the fortnight on the shop’s facebook and twitter pages and their website.

• There is a prize draw for a Fair Trade Snack Pack – it is worth £30 and is made up of items available in-store; tickets will be £1 each, proceeds go to Networks of Wellbeing.

• There is also a jar of Fair Trade jelly beans to win by

guessing the number of beans in it; it’s 50p a guess and all proceeds will go to Networks of Wellbeing.

• A representative from Networks of Wellbeing will be in-store on Saturday 11th March at 4pm to draw the prize winning tickets and receive the money raised from this event.

March 25th – Mother’s Day Event - There will be a prize draw for a “Pamper Hamper” worth £30 made from items available in-store; tickets £1 each - proceeds to Networks of Wellbeing.

May 13th – World Fair Trade Day – a day filled with Quizzes, Puzzles and Competitions!

Look out for details of all of these events and many more, as well as lots of info, news and fun things

to do on the Ethical Gift Shop’s facebook and twitter pages and on their website.



An app designed to help prevent suicides in the north-east has been used more than 13,000 times since it was launched at the end of March 2016. The app is a way of

allowing people to gain knowledge of suicide prevention without having to directly engage with mental health services, which many people shy away from. It not only gives the user access to a huge range of helpful organisations but allows them to write their own safety plan which can help them through difficult periods when they are at heightened risk of suicide.In addition to the app and supporting website, Facebook Adverts are being distributed to users timelines and news feeds highlighting a wide range of information including links to the app. More than 10,000 people are being reached on average every week and video links have been viewed on more than 40,000 occasions. Iain Murray, Choose Life Coordinator for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire commented, ”The strong on-line presence that we’ve created in 2016 appears to be having an impact and we have seen a reduction in the number of suicides in Aberdeenshire compared with 2015.” The Prevent Suicide – Northeast Scotland app is available to download on Apple, Android, Windows Phone and Kindle Fire devices and is supported by the website www.preventsuicideapp.comFor those of us who do not routinely use devices or access websites and feel low Samaritans’ can be contacted 24 hours every day of the year on 116 123, which is free phone number. Alternatively you can speak with Breathing Space on 0800 838 587, and this line is also free and open from 6pm-2am Monday to Thursday, and 24 hours at the weekends.

13000 users of prevent suicide app in first six months

Who can apply? Community groups in the areas covered by the Tap O’ Noth, Strathbogie and Huntly Community Councils and Cabrach Community Association, and that have a constitution (governing document or set of rules) and operate on a not-for-private-profit basis.

How much can we apply for? Applications can be made for a range of levels from £500. Applications for over £25,000 involve a two stage process with a short outline proposal being prepared first.

When is the closing date? The closing date is 1st May for this the first round of year 3 of the Fund, with a decision made in mid-June 2017.

Who makes the decisions? A Panel drawn from the local community councils of Tap O Noth, Strathbogie and Huntly and from the Cabrach Community Association, plus two community members from each area.

Where can I get an application form? Foundation Scotland website www.foundationscotland.org.uk/programmes/clashindarroch/ or telephone Foundation Scotland for an application form on 0131 524 0300.

With whom can I discuss a possible application?Telephone the Fund Manager, Iain Catto of Foundation Scotland (based in Elgin) on 0791 275 9525.

Apply for a grant from the Vattenfall Clashindarroch Community Fund

**The Vattenfall Clashindarroch Community Fund is now receiving applications! Closing date for this round: 1st May 2017**

Page 17


HUNTLY CC UPDATE - October to December 2016

Our last meetings of 2016 were held in October and November and we were pleased to welcome a speaker to each. In October, Phil Gaiter,

TGS Rector, talked about the revamping of the School’s Values and Vision Statement, and the following month Steve Gray of Aberdeenshire Council updated us on the draft proposals for the Huntly Woods Management Plan Review.

The CC has appealed (via the Council) to BT To rethink the proposed removal of the payphone on Bleachfield Street which, although meeting the criteria stipulated by BT, is a much-used facility, 113 calls having been made from it in the past year. We are waiting to hear if our appeal has been successful.

Towards the end of the year we awarded Microgrants to Deveron Projects for a badgemaking machine, to TGS Former Pupils Association to help fund the costs of producing their magazine, and to the CC itself for the purchase of 10 litterpickers and associated equipment. We were delighted to receive a donation from Wildfox Events in return for lending them the town barriers for the September Etape Royal cycle race, and this is being used to buy a further 10 litterpickers. We will then have our own stock of 20 which will be put to good use when we hold our Community Litterpick during the first weekend of March. Anyone interested in volunteering for this should contact the CC or look out for information in the Huntly Express nearer the time.

Finally, in October, we elected a new Chair, Tony Gill, and a new Vice-Chair, Hazel McIntosh. Tony’s appointment follows the stepping down of former Chair, Hilda Lumsden-Gill, and we take this opportunity to pay tribute to her.

Hilda joined the CC in 1999 and became Chair in 2003, a position she held until her departure in 2016. Her achievements during that time were many. In addition to establishing Entertainment in the Square in 2001 and being principal organiser of the event for 10 years, Hilda was involved in working towards the design of a new logo and the granting of a new Coat of Arms for the town, hosting the presentation ceremony in 2011. She also led the way in getting the name of Corporal Michael Pike, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2011, added to the War Memorial, and hosted the accompanying unveiling ceremony and Service of Dedication. In her role as Chair and representative of the CC, she participated over the years in many other events such as the Portsoy Path opening ceremony, Pipe Band anniversary celebrations and The Gordon School prizegiving where she made a keynote speech. She chaired public meetings of the CC on issues of concern to the community such as changes to the delivery of out-of-hours GP services. Under her leadership the CC launched and/or initiated discussions on many schemes such as the introduction of flower tubs in the Square, the set-up of the Farmers’ Market and the Halloween Window Competition, and both personally and as a representative of the CC, she supported a number of groups ranging from the Strathbogie Junior Fiddlers and the Cooper Park Pavilion/Youth Café Association, to the Friends of both the Stewart’s Hall and Market Muir, and the Christmas Lights Committee.

Hilda held positions with many local groups and committees during her time with the CC, including being a director of Huntly Mental Health (now Networks of Wellbeing), and a member of the Business Association, the Community Development Group, the Food and Health Group, the ATP panel (predecessor to HDDT), the Marr Area Partnership, the Cultural Fund and the panel set up to establish both the Clashindarroch and Cairnborrow Windfarm Community Funds. She worked tirelessly to promote both the CC and the local community and to mark her work in these areas was awarded a certificate of recognition for services to the community by Aberdeenshire Council in 2008. Her experience, support and leadership skills were greatly valued by her CC colleagues during her time as Chair, and we are confident that other groups will benefit from these in the months to come. Meantime we wish her well for the future.

The CC under its new leadership meets again in January, with a membership of 8 out of a possible 12. Anyone interested in attending one of our meetings, or becoming a member, should contact the Chair on 792837 or by email to [email protected].



From the moment you wake up in the morning until the moment you go to bed, every activity you

do in your daily life is an occupation. Occupational Therapists (sometimes referred to as OT’s) work with people to enable them to be able to complete these occupations that are most important to them to the best of their abilities and as independently as possible.

Occupational Therapist’s work with all age groups in a variety of settings and work with people with mental health conditions, physical and learning disabilities. There are also OT’s who work in other settings, such as the prison service and in vocational rehabilitation (getting people back to work).

There are occupational therapy teams within the NHS (health care) and local authority councils (social care). Occupational therapist in the NHS are often based at hospitals or health centres. They work within the wards and in the community providing rehabilitation to patients. Rehabilitation is where therapists work with patients to enable them to improve, maintain or regain skills they may have lost due to an illness or disability. An example of this may be if you fell and broke your hip, OT’s would work with you to regain your abilities to do your everyday tasks again. They may look at your home environment to ensure it is as safe as possible for you and if necessary provide small pieces to equipment to make things easier for you, for example rails at the toilet or a stool for the shower. Occupational therapists would work with you to provide and practice techniques and skills to help you overcome your disability, and they may

Occupational Therapy also provide you with advice and information to enable you to self manage your disability. Occupational therapists would also work with you to build up your strength, stamina and confidence in stages to help make your goals achievable.

The local authority OT’s (often referred to as social work occupational therapists), work in the community with clients, often within their own homes. Their core role is also looking at occupations within a home environment, as well as equipment provision and assessing for larger adaptations to the home environment. This aims to enable clients to participate in their daily occupations with greater independence and to stay in their own home environments for as long as possible.

If you feel you would benefit from receiving some occupational therapy input you could do this in a number of ways. If you are an inpatient in a hospital, you may be asked if you would like occupational therapy input if medical staff feel you may benefit from this, or alternatively you could ask for a referral to see an OT. If you are in the community and would like an occupational therapist to see you at home, you can discuss this with your healthcare or social care practitioner who could refer onto the most appropriate service or advise on how you may self refer to an Occupational Therapy Department.

The Living Wage Foundation is pleased to announce that Networks of Wellbeing Ltd, has today accredited as a Living Wage employer.The Living Wage commitment will see everyone working at Networks of Wellbeing Ltd, regardless of whether they are permanent employees or third-party contractors; receive a minimum hourly wage of £8.45 - significantly higher than the national minimum wage of £6.95 and the new minimum wage premium for over 25s of £7.20 per hour introduced this April.The Living Wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually. The Living Wage is calculated according to the basic cost of living using the ‘Minimum Income Standard’ for the UK. Decisions about what to include in this standard are set by the public; it is a social consensus about what people need to make ends meet.‘Networks of Wellbeing is a mental health charity based in Huntly in the North East of Scotland. We continuously strive to be the best employer that we can be and paying the living wage is one way of showing our commitment to our staff. We want to ensure that our staff are aware of how much we value their time and commitment to the work that we do in the field of mental health and wellbeing.’Employers choose to pay the Living Wage on a voluntary basis. The Living Wage enjoys cross party support, with public backing from the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.Living Wage Foundation Director, Katherine Chapman said: “We are delighted to welcome Networks of Wellbeing Ltd to the Living Wage movement as an accredited employer.”

Networks of Wellbeing Ltd Celebrates Living Wage Committment

Page 19


WeeklyAberchirder BrowniesWed 5.45 – 7.15pmGirls age 7 – 10 welcomeGayle Beaton 01466 780434Aberchirder Dancing ClassesMarnoch Church HallContact: Beverly Walker 07795074878Aberchirder Guides for girls aged 10 – 14 yearsWed 6 - 7.30pmMarnoch Church Hall (basement)Contact: Elaine Robertson 07773267445Aberchirder PlaygroupTues, Wed and Thurs 9.10am – 11.10amSt Marnan’s Church HallJo Watson 07980 381840Aberchirder ToddlersFri 9.30 – 11amSt Marnan’s Church HallJo Watson 07980 381840Art – Interested? Come and join our informal group. Tuesdays 10-12.00 noon at Strathbogie Church Hall. Contact Ian Laing 01466 792786 or [email protected] Sensory ClassesMon 10.30am - 1pmOAP Hall, Church St, HuntlyTel 07903 769300BadmintonAll adults welcome.Tue 7:30 – 9:30pmStewarts Hall Contact: Allan MitchellTel: 01466 793225Bowling Linden CentreMon eve 7 - 9pm Tue & Thur 2 - 4pm Annie Shand 01466 793527Bobbin LacemakersMon 2 - 4 pm Linden CenterJoanne on 07778 272056 ‘Clattercise’ Dance & Exercise Class Mon & Wed, 7.30-8.30pm Clatt Hall and Tin Hut, Gartly Contact: Kirsty Muirden 07793844451Drumblade Babies & ToddlersThur 10–11.30am (term time)Drumblade SchoolFiona Mair 07776 168558

Huntly Bike ShackTues, Wed & Thurs 10 - 3pm Bike service and repairs Clashmach CentreContact: 01466 793732Huntly Chest Heart & Stroke ClubTues 9.30 - 11.45Huntly Health CentreContact: Isabel McGregor 01466 792949 orKathleen McPherson01466 794971Huntly Film CommunityFilms shown third Thursday of the month - Free entry Ex Service Mens Club (check notice board for screenings)Contact: 07825 518375 Huntly Netball ClubWed 8pm - 9pmThe Gordon Schools Sports Hallemail: [email protected] After School Kids Ski ClubTues - from 25 Oct 2016 at 4pmSunday Kids Club from 4th SeptSaturday Rollers from 20th Aug09:30 - 11amCoffee & Ski Friday Mornings 09:30 - 11amTel: 01466 794428Huntly Parish ChurchThrift Shop open every Wed 9 - 12am selling furniture and bric-a-brac. Donations wanted.Contact 01466 793576Huntly Rugby Club TrainingTue 6:30pm - 8pmSat 10:00am - 12 noon The Gordon Schools PitchesContact: Mr James Paxtonemail: [email protected] [email protected] Nordic Ski ClubThur from 7.30pmHuntly Nordic & Outdoor CentreContact: Sandy Thorn 01464 831429 Kennethmont Badminton ClubTues beginners 7.15Adults from 8pm - Rannes Hall

Kennethmont ToddlersThur 9.30 – 11.30amRannes HallWee OnesCreche: Age Range: 1 year (and walking) to 2 yearsDays: Tue and FriTimes: 9.30 - 11.25amCost: £5.50 per sessionWee Twos Age: 2 years old - until local funded place beginsDays Wed & Thu 9.30 - 11.25amCost: £5.50 per sessionParent & Toddler Age: Birth to 5 yearsDays: Mon & ThuTimes: 9.00 -11.30amCost: £1.50 per child, (50p for siblings)Rothiemay & District Parents Social GroupWed 9 - 11am Cost £2 per adultAdele Hosie Tel: 01466 711273Stitchin TimeDrop-in Craft Groupevery Thursday 1 - 3.30pmLinden Centre (basement)Contact: 01466 793732 Ythanwells Bowling Club Ythanwells HallTuesday 7-10pmM Urquhart 01464 871366Old and new members very welcome

Fortnightly GroupsHuntly Over 50’s ClubGuest Speakers and Demon-strationsFortnightly on Thursday Contact: Betty Morrison01466 792946Huntly Writers’ GroupMembership £10 plus £2 per meetingContact: Annie Lamb 01466 793765

Monthly GroupsBookbug RhymetimeLast Wednesday of the month 10-10.30 am at the library.For 0-4s and theirfamily/carers. Free of charge. Brander Library 01466 792179Brander Library Reading Group 1st Wednesday of month 11am at the library.Tel: 01466 792179

Tea DanceStewarts Hall 2 - 4pm, £3Last Monday of the month. Free tuition 1 - 2pm with Alison Milne 01466 793732Tin Hut Sessions at Gartly Acoustic music sessions, last Thursday of each month at 8pm, entry free. Fraser Wilson 01466 720247Huntly & District Tourism Group aims to improve the experience of visitors coming to the area.Contact 01466 720383Common Threads7.30 - 9.30pm in Forglen Hall 2nd Tuesday of the month. Informal group for people interested in all textile and related crafts. Elaine Harding 01466 711363Huntly Hill Walking ClubRon Bowie 01466 793836Huntly & District Flower Club2nd Tuesday of the month in OAP Hall at 7.30pm. Christine Steel - 01466 780183Lumsden Community Assoc.Contact: Julie [email protected] Folk Club8pm - 11pm3rd Wednesday of the month in Ex-Servicemen’s ClubAcoustic music sessionsContact: John McPherson01466 792279HNOCSunday Kids Ski Club10 am - 12Tel: 01466 794428Rhynie W.R.I.“Fourteen”, The Square,Rhynie every second Thursday of the month 7.30pm-10pmSoup & The Stars. Second Tuesday of the month. Cooper Park Pavilion, Huntly 7pm - 9pm Contact: San-dra Brantingham Tel: 01466 771371Tap O’Noth WRI1st Thursday of month (ex July and Aug). OAP Hall, Church StHuntly @ 7:30pmDemonstrations and speakers.



This publication is produced and supported by; Networks of Wellbeing Ltd Registered Charity SC021861The Clashmach Centre, 18 Steven Road, Huntly AB54 8SX Tel: 01466 793 732. e-mail: [email protected]

Disclaimer: The views and comments expressed by the authors are not always that of the editor or publisher.

AB54 ‘Dates For Your Diary’Reproduced with kind permission of ‘Huntly on the Web’ and HADTAG

2 March Tap o Noth WRI, OAP Hall, Huntly 7:30pm, Contact [email protected]

2 - 4 March ‘Allo Allo’ performed by See Throu Productions in Glass Hall. Cost £8.00 (Thurs £6.00)For more information see http://glasscommunityassociation.org

3 March Friday Lunch 1 - 3pm Deveron Projects, £2.00. For information tel: 01466 794494

4 March Huntly Farmers Market 9am - 1pm, see www.huntlyfarmersmarket.co.uk

4 March Energy Walk, 1 - 7pm. Contact Deveron Projects for information. Tel: 01466 794494

10 March Ethical Gift Shop - 10th Anniversary Event (10% off) for information see www.ethicalgiftshop.co.uk

10 March Friday Lunch 1 - 3pm Deveron Projects, £2.00. For information tel: 01466 794494

12 March Bin Ranger Club 10 - 12:30, Old Peregrine Car Park on A96. Contact Matthew on 01466 730767

16 March Huntly Film Club, Huntly Ex-servicemen’s Club 7:30pm - 10pm email [email protected] March Friday Lunch 1 - 3pm Deveron Projects, £2.00. For information tel: 01466 794494

24 March Friday Lunch 1 - 3pm Deveron Projects, £2.00. For information tel: 01466 79449427 March Huntly Tea Dance 2pm - 4pm, Stewarts Hall Huntly. Admission £3.00.

Free dance lessons for beginners 1pm - 2pm. Contact NoW at 01466 79373230 March Tin Hut Sessions, Gartly - see website www.tinhutsessions.co.uk

For information contact Fraser Wilson on 01466 72024730 March Linedance Social Evening, 8pm - 11:30pm, Cost £3.50

Contact Christina Walker tel: 07507 889504 email [email protected] April Huntly Farmers Market 9am - 1pm, see www.huntlyfarmersmarket.co.uk6 April Tap o Noth WRI, OAP Hall, Huntly 7:30pm, Contact [email protected] April Ethical Gift Shop - 10th Anniversary Event (10% off) for information see www.ethicalgiftshop.co.uk14 - 16 April Slow Marathon 2017: Energised Landscape. For information tel Deveron Projects: 01466 79449420 April Huntly Film Club, Huntly Ex-servicemen’s Club 7:30pm - 10pm email [email protected] April Friday Lunch 1 - 3pm Deveron Projects, £2.00. For information tel: 01466 79449427 April Tin Hut Sessions, Gartly - see website www.tinhutsessions.co.uk

For information contact Fraser Wilson on 01466 72024730 April Linedance Social Evening, 8pm - 11:30pm, Cost £3.50

Contact Christina Walker tel: 07507 889504 email [email protected] May Tap o Noth WRI, OAP Hall, Huntly 7:30pm, Contact [email protected]

6 May Huntly Farmers Market 9am - 1pm, see www.huntlyfarmersmarket.co.uk

10 May Ethical Gift Shop - 10th Anniversary Event (10% off) for information see www.ethicalgiftshop.co.uk

18 May Huntly Film Club, Huntly Ex-servicemen’s Club 7:30pm - 10pm email [email protected]

25 May Tin Hut Sessions, Gartly - see website www.tinhutsessions.co.ukFor information contact Fraser Wilson on 01466 720247

30 May Linedance Social Evening, 8pm - 11:30pm, Cost £3.50Contact Christina Walker tel: 07507 889504 email [email protected]

Why not advertise your event in the spotlight!Go to www.visithuntly.net/events and follow the ‘Add Event’ link from there.

All above information available online at time of going to press. Events may be added or removed over the coming months. Visit www.visithuntly.net/events for additional information.

Documents

FREE AB54 ISSUE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER O. SEVENTEEN · PDF fileFREE ISSUE NO. SEVENTEEN, SPRING 2017 COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER YOUR NEWS, YOUR VIEWS, YOUR COMMUNITY. AB54 Aberchirder, Blacklaw,