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STRATHDEARN
NEWSLETTER February 2020 Also available on the community website: www.strathdearn.org Volume 20 No 1
Strathdearn Community Council Email - [email protected]
On 14th January 2020 we had our inaugural meeting of the newly elected Community Council.
Our new Community Councillors are: Mr. Jimmy Duncan – Chair Mr. Davie Cameron – Vice Chair Miss Lee-Anne Cornwall – Secretary Mr. Stephen Smith – Treasurer/Planning Contact Mr. Charles Cameron – Road Safety Contact Mrs. Carol James – Inverness Area Community Council Forum Representative Mrs. Amanda Ferguson – Member Mr. Martin Hughes – Member We are very grateful to be elected by the community and would like to thank the previous Community Councillors who stepped down for all their hard work over the years, which has earned our CC a great reputation. We will endeavour to carry on the good work.
Some issues raised at our January meeting were: Law and Order A new Community beat officer has not yet been appointed. We will hopefully know more information soon. Any concerns regarding law and order should be reported direct to Police Scotland in the usual way or can be raised with one of the Community Councillors and will be discussed at the next meeting Road Safety There is an ongoing issue with the pothole at Invereen. This has been reported many times to BEAR Scotland but unfortunately it has not been resolved yet. We are still trying. Strathdearn Daycare Various meetings have taken place to discuss potential ways forward for keeping the valuable out of school service in the village. Discussions are ongoing and more updates will be printed in our monthly minutes as they happen. Applications to Strathdearn Community Charitable Trust An application to the trust from Alan Hardwick offering ‘fitness for a fiver’ was discussed and recommended for approval. A scheme to encourage more physical activity amongst adult residents of Strathdearn by offering subsidised sessions with a qualified personal trainer. Strathdearn residents would arrange individually, in two’s or maximum three’s for supervised fitness training sessions at the studio at a cost of £5 per head per session.The subsidy required would be £10 for 1 or 2 attending or £6 for 3 attending per session. Alan has prepared a separate article for the newsletter with more details on the scheme.
If you would like something put on the agenda, please get in touch with a Community Councillor. We are:- Jimmy Duncan (Chair) Tel 07977558865; Davie Cameron (Vice Chair) Tel 07920485355; Lee-Anne Cornwall (Secretary) Tel 07484657896; Stephen Smith (Treasurer/Planning Contact) Tel 07583222497; Charlie Cameron (Road Safety contact) Tel 01808 411298; Carol James Tel 01808 531220; Mandy Ferguson Tel 07415156273; Martin Hughes Tel 07938846205.
Strathdearn Community Council and Strathdearn Community Developments publish the "Strathdearn Newsletter" quarterly, delivering it free to every home in Strathdearn.
This is a community newsletter, and the views and opinions expressed in contributions submitted by members of the community are not necessarily
those of the CC, the SCD, nor of the Editor. No items are written by the Editor unless expressly indicated.
Editor: Mrs Denise Barley, Lauriston, Tomatin, IV13 7YN.Tel. 01808 511733 e-mail [email protected] Printing: Mrs D.Barley, Mrs S Edward Distribution: Mrs M Buckle
Business adverts £10 per quarter page Next deadline: Wednesday 6th
May 2020
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES 3rd Monday of Month (except December) Gardening Club 7.30pm The Strathdearn, Contact: May Buckle 511448 Every Tuesday (November to April) Keep Fit to Music 11am -12, The Strathdearn Contact: Denise Barley 511733 2nd Tuesday of Month Community Council 7.30pm The Strathdearn All welcome Every Wednesday Community Coffee Morning 10.30-11.30am The Strathdearn All welcome, £2 Every Wednesday Walking Group 2pm meet at The Strathdearn car park Contact: Kathy Bonniface 511740
Every Thursday 11.30am – 1.30pm The Strathdearn
POST OFFICE Every Thursday (term time) Toddlers’ Group 10am-noon, The Strathdearn
Contact: Debbie Briggs: 511487
07850 570 827
Every Thursday Art Class 2.00– 4pm The Strathdearn, Contact: Betty Watson 511271 Pam Hardwick 511766 Monthly, usually on a Thursday Natural History Club
Some indoor, some outdoor, events. Days vary, so look out for posters. Contact: David Bonniface 511740 or Carol James 531220
STRATHDEARN SPORTS FACILITY
This facility is unlocked 9am-9pm daily. It is free
for casual use to local youngsters (under 18) and
any accompanying adult.
During the winter months light tokens are
available free to local under 18’s wishing to play
ball games. These are available 9-4pm from The
Strathdearn Office and 4-6pm from the Shop
during the week and 9-5.30pm on a Saturday at
the Shop.
Hourly bookings by adult user groups will be
charged and should be booked with the Events
Manager, Janet Cross at The Strathdearn office,
on 01808 511700 or
email [email protected]
Charges: £11 per hour local, £22 per hour non-
local.
Use of the lights by adults is included in the hire
and
tokens will be issued if required on booking.
Please Note:
No animals, no bicycles or other wheeled
equipment and no consumption of
food/drink allowed on the Pitch.
POLICE CONTACT Any concerns about Law and
Order, information on vandalism, requests for advice, or
any other police related matter should be passed on to
Community Beats, Burnet Road, Inverness. 01463
228485
To telephone, for matters not urgent enough to require
999 ... please call 101 and you will be put through
LOCAL NURSING SERVICES Strathdearn nursing services are covered by the Inverness
East Community Nursing Team.
The Nursing Team’s telephone number is 01463
230850 The NHS24 telephone number is 111
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congratulations to Jean MacRae who celebrated her 80th birthday on 7th December.
Definitely 80 years young, Jean 😄.
Congratulations to Padruig Bryden (formerly of Sheneval, Corrybrough) who married Rebecca Hoare at York
House on the 30th of November 2019. It was a lovely sunny day and Paddy, his two brothers and father turned lots
of heads strolling through the Twickenham streets in full Highland Dress. The bride was beautiful, and a great time
was had by all. Duncan and Michelle Bryden are very proud parents.
Thank you to family and friends that sent cards, flowers and gave gifts and 3 lovely Ruby wedding rose bushes to us
on the occasion of our Ruby wedding anniversary last November we had a wonderful day. Angie and Richard Noble
Can l take this opportunity to say a big thank you to my Family and Friends for making
my Eightieth birthday so memorable and overwhelming with cards and gifts. Thank you
all. Also thank you all who enquired about the Mobile Scooter - I’ve had no response and still don’t know its whereabouts. Jean Macrae
Many thanks to everyone who signed Norah Wallace's 90th birthday card, which arrived on time for her big day on
23rd December. It was very good of you all to remember her, and she enjoyed hearing all of your kind messages.
She spent the day quietly in Isobel Fraser home with myself and my wife, Monique. She had flowers, cards and cake
at tea-time, when everyone sang Happy Birthday for her before she blew out the candles!
Thanks again for your kind gesture and thoughts. Telford Wallace
Happy retirement wishes to Gordon Grant who was the face of Boarstone Tartans for 45
years. Gordon's happy, cheerful disposition, together with his knowledge and
expertise, made buying or hiring kilt outfits etc a stress free experience for many
people in Tomatin and further afield. You will be greatly missed Gordon but all your
family and friends would like to wish you a very long and very happy retirement. Enjoy
every moment.
Congratulations to Georgie Bell who hosted her first art exhibition on the weekend of 24th and 25th January.
It was held in Morningside, Edinburgh and the event was a huge success. Georgie has a degree in
Contemporary Art from Greys School of Art in Aberdeen and is a wonderful artist. Georgie and family would
like to thank the many family members and friends who made a big effort to come along and support her. Well
done to a very talented young lady and we wish you every success for the future.
Earlier in 2019 I entered our German Wirehaired Pointer, Boss, in the Field magazine “Gundog Awards 2019” . He has won The
Field Gundog Award for outstanding work by any pointing breed during the 2018/19 season. We were invited to Burghley Horse
Trials for a champagne lunch to receive the award. The prize consisted of a Winners certificate and ten 15kg bags of Skinners
dog food. Well done Boss!
Peter Bennett
Members of the community have asked me to record their thanks to the outgoing Community Council for their hard
work and dedication over many years under the leadership of Vivian Roden and Edward Usborne. There have been
some complex issues to deal with over the last decade, but our CC didn’t shy away from giving time and effort to
protect the interests of the community, and the rest of us were always encouraged to come along to meetings and
give our opinions in an atmosphere of courteous co-operation. We wish well to the new incoming Community
Councillors and thank them for being willing to pick up the baton and continue to represent the needs and wishes of
the people of Strathdearn.
Editor
FITNESS FOR A FIVER
Fitness for a fiver is a scheme designed to encourage
adult residents of Strathdearn to participate in physical
fitness sessions, with the guidance and attention of
qualified personal trainers - who (luckily for us) happen to
live, and have fitness studios, in the Strath - and all at a
reduced cost, subsidised by the Community Windfarm
Benefit Fund.
If you live in the IV13 postcode area and wish to have a
fitness session with either Jess Mulraine (07445 356630) or
Mhairi MacSween (07849 533869) just telephone to
arrange a mutually convenient time for some physical
activity tailored to your level of fitness. (It doesn’t matter if
you’re a shy couch potato or lycra-wrapped greyhound, the
ladies are great at helping you develop your fitness from
where you are). It will cost you just £5 per session.
Fitness for a Fiver will be kicking off in February. The
studios can accommodate 2 or 3 people so exercising with
friends might be a good idea and certainly would make the
subsidy go further. When it’s gone, it’s gone … so get yourself motivated and give it a go whilst you have the
subsidised chance. £1000 has been allocated for the
scheme.
Wouldn’t it be nice if a sufficient number of people
gently got into the exercise habit and a viable class could
take place in the new Village Hall? (Of course, it would!)
Block booking won’t be possible, in order to keep the
scheme open to all, but repeat booking would be good,
(The habit taking hold!)
That’s it: the chance to get going on the fitness, at the
right time of the year, supporting local facilities at an
affordable price and without having to drive for miles to get
to a gym. Pick up the phone, book a session, get yourself to
the studio (parking neatly off the road please) and flex
those muscles. The more the merrier (adults only or
accompanied children).
JESS MULRAINE 07445 356630
MHAIRI MACSWEEN 07849 533869
Annual Easter Egg Hunt
The Old Manse, Moy (Turn right off A9 onto B9154. Then 1.2 miles down that
road on the right, fronted by white ranch-style fence)
Saturday 4th April 3.00 - 5.00pm
The hunt starts at 3pm – don’t be late!!
Don’t forget to bring your wellies – the garden gets quite
wet underfoot. All ages welcome.
Please bring a contribution of finger food for a shared tea
afterwards. Please ensure it is is pre-cooked and ready
plated. Please, please don’t bring anything that needs
cooking or heating through at the house.
Any enquiries phone Richard & Liz Cooling 01808 511353
GARDENING CLUB - HELP URGENTLY
NEEDED
The Gardening Club will hold the first meeting of 2020 on
Monday 17th February at 7:30pm in The Strathdearn, when
the programme for the year will be discussed, including
whether to hold a Flower Show.
A number of people expressed regret that one was not held
last year. That was due to the difficulties experienced in
previous years of holding it in the school hall. It would be
lovely to see our beautiful new hall full of flowers,
vegetables, baking, art, craft, photography and children's
entries.
However, the two members who have organised the show
for more than ten years have said they are no longer
prepared to do so on their own again. Members are either
serving the Club in other ways or have done their fair share
of work in the past. We need new members or volunteers
to either bring in new ways of working or to share the jobs
this year and hopefully take over next year.
The work to be done includes preparing and printing the
schedule, printing the judges results sheets, printing the
coloured place cards, writing class names on the cards,
liaising with the judges, ensuring there are rosettes and
prizes for the children and getting together all the things
that will be needed on the day. If you could help, please get
in touch with David Bonniface (511740) for all the tasks
involving a computer and Carol James (531220) for
everything else. Both David and Carol are willing to help
and guide the volunteers if wanted this year.
This help is needed urgently because the schedule should
be publicised in the next newsletter. If you can help, please
come to our meeting on the 17th or contact David or Carol
before then.
If we have NO volunteers, there will be NO SHOW.
The following meeting will be the AGM on Monday 16th
March at 7:30pm when the show schedule will be finalised,
that is if there is going to be a Show. We do hope there will
be several volunteers and normal show service will be
resumed.
Carol James (Chairman)
MOY MATTERS (9)
Progress to date:
1. Tidying up the path around Moy Loch (Birch
walk): the track and ditches have been cleared
over the whole length of the Birch walk and
culverts in place. The recent heavy rain has
caused a bit of slippage on the open ditch edges
as the ground is saturated and the track surface
is soft too. The contractor plans to allow the
ground to dry up a bit before putting down fine
surfacing material and rolling it. Meanwhile the
track is walkable but will be a bit rough. Gates
and seats still have to be installed.
2. New signs for Moy: the new signs are
completed. We have one Advertisement form to
submit to HC before they can be installed.
3. Meeting place: the MSC would like to thank
everyone who took time to respond to our recent
e-mail about the possible purchase of a dwelling
place. Unfortunately this has fallen through so
it is back to the drawing board and we are once
again looking for somewhere for our meeting
place. Responses were very encouraging and a
meeting place in Moy remains an important
priority for us.
4. Moy FB page: it is called Moy sub-committee.
Please ‘like’ us and join us. Feel free to post.
Also if you are out and about and take photos in
our lovely area, we would love to see them.
5. Planters: Can we ask that everyone keeps a
regular check on the planters and the plants and
if ever there is a problem please let us know.
6. Litter pick: Thank you to all those who turned up
for another successful litter pick in November.
7. Squirrel signs: all squirrel signs have now been
erected. Let’s hope they are successful in
slowing down passing traffic.
>>Live in Moy, Lynebeg or Ruthven and
planning on coming to the ceilidh on the
29th February at The Strathdearn?
The MSC are funding a free shuttle bus
running to and from the event. If you
wish to book please let us know the
number of people, where and what time
to pick up and an idea of return times.<<
As always the sub-committee members want everyone to
keep in touch so, if you want to contribute or give any
feedback, please feel free to contact any of the sub-
committee members at any time. The members are
Marian Hendry (Chair, [email protected]),
Alastair Fraser (vice chair), Davie Cameron, John Clarke,
Jimmy Duncan and Linda Armit.
Looking for local work? Ever Thought about Working in Care?
Think Highland Home Carers No Experience? No Worries – Let us give you the training you need Duties can include personal care, moving and assisting, meal preparation, assisting with medication and light housework When applying for this role please quote Strathdearn CARE
£10.00 per hour 6.2 weeks annual leave per year Fully Paid in-house induction training Share Allocation & Profit Share Bonus After Qualifying Period Helping you achieve an SVQ in Health and Social Care Contributory Pension Scheme Contribution toward SSC Registration fees For More Information or to apply Contact: Laura Dobinson in our HR Department on 01463 241196 Or email [email protected]
Art in Strathdearn
Club members are looking forward to another year of
interesting workshops in 2020. Our last one in
November with Sally Purdy was great fun with 10 of us
creating attractive outdoor mosaics in animal shapes.
Our work posted on the local Face Book page attracted
comments from non-club members interested in
coming to the next one! This is exactly the involvement
we want from the community. Our annual fee is just £10
which entitles you to come to workshops and to come
along to the weekly club meeting in the hall - Thursdays
2pm to 4pm. Drop in to see us anytime - we are in the
upstairs room at the hall.
At the moment we are looking into the possibility of
having a tutor along to the club for a few weeks to
refresh our painting skills which leads me on nicely to a
reminder about the Leonardo da Vinci exhibition
currently on at the Holyrood Palace Gallery Edinburgh.
For more club information contact Betty Watson 511271
or Pam Hardwick 511766
The Rout of Moy
Hello all.
For a few years now, on the Sat closest to the 16th Feb, I
have organised a commemoration for the Rout of Moy.
Donald MacAskill along with his family arranged to have
this cairn built and would like it if more people knew more
about their local history.
In 2017, I invited Murdo MacAskill to plant the Jacobite
rose bush, Alba Maxima.
After a short gathering at the cairn where anyone that
wants to can say a few words, we head back to the village
hall for soup and sandwiches, tea and coffee.
This year, this event will be held on Sat 15th February:
gathering at the hall for 12 noon, leaving at 12.30pm to go
to the cairn and return by 2pm for a talk as well as
refreshments.
The talk this time will be given by Robert Dennis re the
Flags of the 45.
Steve Maclennan
Strathdearn Gun Club AGM 2020
Wednesday 19th
February, 7pm
Strathdearn Hall, Tomatin
The club is one of the oldest in Scotland and holds
several shoots during the year at the Garbole
shooting ground. We welcome all ages and would
encourage current members and those with an
interest in joining to attend the agm. Enquiries to:-
NATURAL HISTORY CLUB
We will kick start a new season of the Natural History
Club on Thursday 27th Feb with a celebration of music
and nature, an opportunity to try out and enjoy the new
audio visual kit at the Strathdearn.
This will also be the long deferred AGM, but promise
there will be no coercion to take on jobs and it will be
short!
Please come along and join in to share with others your
love and enjoyment of all wildlife, local and
worldwide.
7:30, The Strathdearn , Thursday 27th February.
Every one welcome, please join us.
THE DALAROSSIE PROJECT
We (combined members of the Church, Natural History
Club and Art in Strathdearn) have at last made a start
actually in Dalarossie Church vestry on our project to make
this room into a mini visitor centre. Our first task is to paint
the River Findhorn, from Coignafearn to Shenachie on the
wall, along with some of its tributary streams. This will be
followed by some small paintings of significant points along
the river, such as the church itself, the railway viaduct and a
number of others.
Within certain limitations we aim to represent the river to
scale, with its major meanders and changes in direction as
accurate as possible. This has entailed some time in
transferring the river from an outline map onto the wall,
but this is now almost complete and so the actual painting
will soon start.
This project has enthused a variety of different people, but
all of whom wish this ancient site of a church to be
preserved for the future. The knowledge of this being the
site of a Christian church since the founding of one by St.
Fergus in the 8th
Century should be passed on to our
children and future generations, regardless of religious
persuasion. It is part of the Highland culture.
However, the information available will be much broader
than this. It is hoped to include information on archaeology,
history, natural history (both flora and fauna), as well as,
most importantly, the work of the modern church in
Strathdearn today.
Kathy Bonniface
Tin hall and Temple blues.
When the Highland railway crossed our Strath
fine buildings were the aftermath:
a bridge of steel and one of stone
and two wee halls both made of tin.
Both venues built for railway workers
required for many saints and sinners:
a little temple on the ridge
and a social hall below the bridge.
The little buildings made of tin
once served a vibrant local scene:
meetings, concerts, Friday dancing
with repentance on the Sabbath waiting.
With the Hall long gone and the Temple down
it was time to build again:
a Cathedral Hall for play and prayers
with meetings, sport and many ceilidhs.
D.G. MacAskill
YOUR LOCAL SHOP
We would like to thank our customers, old and new, for your custom in 2019. We are trying to keep prices competitive and
hope to be introducing more new products as we go into 2020. The bakery continues to be successful, and new lines are being
added to tempt our tastebuds! We can also supply delicious cakes for special occasions – there’s a brochure in the shop if
anyone would like to have a look.
CHRISTMAS CLUB – would anyone be interested in joining a Christmas Club? A couple of pounds a week could get the family
Christmas dinner, or all the booze for your festive period, or a Christmas hamper made up with your choice of goods?
We rely on feedback from the community, so please let us know if you have any ideas or suggestions for us to make your shop
the best it can be.
Thank you once again for your continued support – it is very much appreciated.
Paula, Mags and Babs
STEP IT UP HIGHLAND
Since the last, November Newsletter, our regular Wednesday walks have of course been winter ones. For the main part, this has
not restricted us, as the early winter temperatures were unusually mild. However, since Christmas, we have had a number of
Wednesdays with snow and ice on the ground, and culminating two weeks ago in falling snow, ice underfoot, and a strong wind
whose chill index sent the temperature plummeting.
“Now”, you ask yourself, “is she trying to put us all off ever walking with the group again?” Not a bit of it! We choose the walks
very carefully to be appropriate for the weather and the ground conditions, as well as the strength and abilities of those walking
with us. On that particular day in question our walk was short (a circuit of Old Mill Road, the School and the old A9 back to the
Hall), whereas last week, in bright sunshine and mild temperatures, we were able to enjoy the splendid views along part of
General Wade’s Road and the turn down onto Soilsean Road. This was of course modified for those who find the complete
circuit too challenging.
We all believe that in general, whatever the conditions, it is better to spend some time outside in the fresh air, with some
moderate exercise. This makes the return to the Hall for tea, coffee and cakes all the more appealing, (plus the post exercise
blether!)
There are more of us walking again now, so if you would like to join us, either contact Kathy or David on 01808 511740 or Carol
on 511230, or just turn up at the Hall on Wednesday at 2.00pm, from the first Wednesday in February.
RHOANN’S RECIPES This recipe I got from an Italian cookery course in Brunei run by a lady from Tuscany.
Pollo con pepperoni Ingredients
Chicken breasts (1 per person) cut into chunks
5-6 peppers of different colours cut into chunks
2 onions sliced
2 stems of celery cut into chunks
1 chilli sliced
4-5tbs olive oil
60mls of red wine vinegar with 2 tsp of sugar
Method
Marinade first 6 items for an hour mixing at the half way stage. Place in large
saucepan, season with salt and pepper and cook for 30-40mins depending on chicken,
adding vinegar mixture 15 mins before end to allow it to reduce.
You could use chicken portions with the bone in but allow extra time for the cooking up
to 60-90 mins.
Enjoy!
If you want something done, do it yourself.
The Scottish Government's R100 plan to deliver superfast broadband to all properties in Scotland by 2021 has suffered a severe setback, possible fatal. A recent announcement declared that the contract for Highlands & Islands will be delayed at least until 2026/2027. As you may know, the R100 project was established as a followon contract to help upgrade around 180,000 premises that were still stuck on slower broadband services after missing out on the original £442m Digital Scotland project with BT (Openreach). SCD had previously put its broadband project on hold to find out how R100 would affect Strathdearn. In the light of this disappointing development, we intend to revive the project.
SCD are making plans with with James Macpherson, the powerhouse behind previous successful projects in Moy and up the Glen. The next most promising area to look at is Balvraid. There are about 50 properties between the Wells' house and Balvraid Lodge. We will ask Openreach to provide an estimate for installing fibre to the premise (FTTP) in this area, and then investigate how we can put a financial package together. However if the scheme is to be viable, it will almost certainly require individual propertyowners to make a contribution,
as was the case in Bridgend Glenmazaran and Coignafearn. We will of course seek as much funding as possible from other sources.
As part of the Government’s Rural Gigabit Connectivity programme, businesses and residents in some of the hardesttoreach places in the UK are eligible for additional funding towards the cost of installing gigabitcapable broadband to their premises when part of a group project. We would expect to qualify for this and be eligible for vouchers of up to £1500 for residential properties and up to £3500 for businesses. These vouchers are issued on the condition that once the fibre product has been installed, the property holder takes up the fibre service for a minimum 1 year term with a service provider. It would be very useful to know at this stage which of these properties are registered businesses at these addresses so we can estimate possible funding accurately.
SCD will also apply to Highland Council and Inverness City Deal to support our initiative. While such funding is difficult to come by these days, we might hope that our doitourselves attitude and proven track record in delivering improved broadband will be recognised as an opportunity for government to offset the disappointment of their broken promise to the Highlands. In this regard we shall seek the support of our MSP Fergus Ewing who in 2018 said: “If I don’t deliver [these broadband improvements] by 2021, I think it will be time for Fergus Ewing to depart and do something else, and leave the job to somebody else.”
The Community Trust has previously made contributions to our broadband projects. If we can put a viable package together, we shall apply to the Trust for similar support.
It will be some months before the situation is clear and we know whether we can go ahead. We will keep the community informed of progress.
Update from our Events Manager
Welcome to the Strathdearn where the snagging list is going down and the bookings are going up slowly but surely!Excitement is mounting around our first big event in the Hub which is a Ceilidh and Disco on Saturday 29th February 8pm till Midnight.
Music provided by HighDrive and Stovies by Good Highland Food in Moy. Tickets are available from the Shop or the Strathdearn. See a separate article elsewhere in this report for great news about sponsorship of this event! Children are welcome to come along accompanied by an adult and under 15’s are free of charge.
We are also holding our first Cinema night on Friday 21st February featuring Toy Story 4. Doors open @ 6pm and the film will be shown @ 6.30pm. Tickets available on the night (cash please) priced @ £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. Come and give it a go! We intend to run a couple of cinema nights per month over the autumn and winter. There is a film suggestion box in the Hall. Just wait till you see the quality of the laser projector and experience the sound system which Andy and his team from Media Pro are installing as I write. The 75” TV screen is already up and running in Room 2 and links with a laptop projector for presentations or quiz nights!! We have also taken delivery of a new digital projector and free standing screen together with a TV screen in the room upstairs.
Speaking of meeting rooms we are going to name them individually as follows:Clune (Room 1); Findhorn (Room 2); An Balvraid (Auditorium); Ruthven (Youth Group Room)Aimee Holland from the village is making wooden signs for the doors.We have a planned calendar of events – some of the dates are not set in stone but it will hopefully give you a flavour of what is to
come. If you think we have missed a trick and there is any type of event missing please don’t hesitate to come in and discuss your ideas all of
which are welcome!The website and online booking system are almost ready to go live. Steve Cormack has put a tremendous amount of hard work into
their design and you will hopefully see the fruits of his labour very soon! The website address will be www.thestrathdearn.orgThe first 3 months have been a steep learning curve for staff and user groups alike but hopefully between us we have solved most of
the issues and others are being addressed such as the acoustics. It was never going to be plain sailing!The Strathdearn is a beautiful building but it needs people to breathe life into it and it needs to be used in order to succeed so please
support the events where you can and have fun.Hub and Events Manager : Janet Cross Telephone: 01808 511700 Email: [email protected]
SCD hold monthly public meetings in The Strathdearn starting at 7.00pm. All welcome. Future meetings are 20 Feb, 19 March and 23 April.
Chairman's Report
As you can see from other reports within this edition of the newsletter, the SCD have been very busy in a number of areas; including amongst other things affordable housing and path construction as well as the ongoing development of “The Strathdearn” facilities. The SDC and The Strathdearn have attracted a great deal of attention from the media over recent months and in November 2019 the SDC was nominated as a finalist in the SHIRES (Scottish Highlands and Islands Rural Economy) Award for “Rural Community Spirit”. Although we did not win the award it was an honour to be recognised for our efforts.
The Strathdearn development has been proceeding at a pace and it is hoped that an official opening will held during May 2020, once the alterations to the Millennium Hall have been completed. Our Events Manager (Janet Cross) has been busy meeting with potential customers and compiling an events diary for 2020 with the focus being on community use and benefit. The Events Diary will be published on the Website within the coming weeks. Anyone with any ideas of how we can build on the this to increase community use and overall utilisation should contact Janet to discuss and develop your ideas. The facility has great potential and we need to use these facilities to their maximum.
The Millennium Hall is currently undergoing an extension and refurbishment in order to house a 40 cover restaurant and the relocation of the community shop. Discussion is well on the way to securing a franchise to operate the restaurant and it is anticipated that it will be operational for the official opening. Likewise the community shop will move from its current location once the alterations have been completed.
Over the last year the operation of the community shop has undergone significant change. The Shop Manager, Paula Morgan now has several proposals to enhance the shop merchandise following the relocation. Also, with the recent changes, the shop has become far more efficient, resulting in a big reduction in the subsidies that have been required over past years. Following the move the shop will continue to offer a range of freshly baked goods, coffee and ice cream as well as the usual selection of food. Paula hopes to further develop the range with special “meal deals”, promotions, more attractive pricing and an increased selection to tempt locals into using the shop as the first port of call rather than a shop of last resort.
Our Administrator Mhairi MacSween has also been active in discussions on the installation of a toddler play park adjacent to the restaurant so parents can enjoy a cup of coffee whilst being comfortable that their children can play and be visible. On a similar note the SCD has secured planning permission for the construction of a play park adjacent to Old Mill Road for the older children and encourage them away from playing on the road. The development of this facility will take place over the coming months. We are grateful for the cooperation of Mr Colin Glynn Percy of Tomatin Estates who has supported the venture from the outset.
With respect to financial matters, our Chief Operating Officer, Charles Morgan has been busy negotiating with the owners/operators of the Tom Na Clach windfarm to secure additional community benefit funds. These discussions are nearing completion and will provide funding for further initiatives in the community.
Affordable Housing Update
"Strathdearn Community Development Company has engaged with Armour and Partners as the Employers Agent, who are currently preparing a tender document which will be advertised shortly on a Design and Build brief basis for the Affordable Housing project.
This is expected to be advertised for 6 weeks to enable Contractors to send in their submissions. These will then be evaluated.
In the meantime, in conjunction with the Highland Small Communities Housing Trust, we will be conducting a Housing Needs Survey. This is to determine from the community the exact housing requirement of housing i.e. which groups of people are likely to be in more demand, family, older peoples housing etc...
it will also provide us with evidence to support the overall demand for living within the Strathdearn area." M.MC.
Fri, 21 February, 6.30pmFIRST CINEMA NIGHT IN THE STRATHDEARN.Toy Story.£5.00/adult, £2.50/child.Cash on the night. No booking required.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Sat 22nd February, 10am12pm.FREE Dr Bike session and ebike tasters. (sign up now and limited spaces available on the day).12pm1.30pm Free led bike ride (sign up in advance), plus free giveaways for every rider, followed by hot drinks and snacks at the hall.Get your bike fixed by an experienced Velocity bike mechanic, taster shots on an ebike and a social guided ride* with qualified guides from Mike’s Bikes.Email [email protected] or call 01808 511700.*Over 12’s only and under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult. Ride limited to 16 spaces.Sign up in advance on a first come first served basis.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Sat March 14 10.002.00Car Boot Sale and Market.Tables £10.00 each.Contact Mandy Ingram for info:[email protected].
Glass Eye!
We need the community's help to solve a dangerous and unpleasant problem. There are still incidents of broken glass in the covered sports facility, and even dog poo on occasion. Staff and concerned parents do their best to keep the area clean but if the problem persists it is only a matter of time before we have an accident.
A suggestion was made at the last community council meeting to lock the gates at night. We'd rather make that a last resort. It would be a shame to restrict access to this fantastic facility, and unfair to the wellbehaved majority. Instead, let's everyone keep an eye out, have a quiet word if you spot an offender, sort this problem with common sense and community spirit rather than locks and CCTV.
Reasons to be cheerful?
Our Post Office Outreach service has moved from the community shop to The Strathdearn. Debra will now operate from a table in the foyer outside the office door, every Thursday from 11.301.30. Connection problems between her equipment and the Post Office network seem to have been solved by the new
dedicated data line, and there are hopeful signs that a buyer may have been found for Aviemore Post Office.
Grounds for cautious optimism, but keep the champagne on hold for a while longer.
S.F.
There was a great response to news of the first ceilidh in our new hall. A lot of tickets have already
been snapped up. Well, get ready to ramp up the excitement to a new level..... Are you ready ? .... The celidh is now going to be free!!!
One of our business partners has agreed to pick up the tab to ensure that our hall gets off to a flying start they'll pay for the band and the stovies too! Anyone who's already paid for a ticket will get a full refund (see below).
Tickets are strictly limited to 180, first come first served, and are available from the shop or the hall. So what are you waiting for? Dust off your dancing shoes, burnish your birls, and get down to The Strathdearn on February 29th for The Mother of all Hooleys.
Just one thing. There's Messy Church the following morning so the hall will have to be cleared and tidied before we leave. Please can we appeal for a few volunteers to stay on afterwards and help with the tidy up. It won't take long if there are a few of us.
Ceilidh and disco. Sat, 29 Feb, 8 12. Traditional music and dancing from the High Drive Ceilidh Band. Cash bar and free stovies on the night.Tickets available at the shop and The Strathdearn office. (If you've already paid for a ticket, claim your refund at the hall)
1
Moy, Dalarossie & Tomatin Church of Scotland
(linked with Daviot & Dunlichity) (Scottish Charity No SC015653)
Rev Robert E Brookes, Interim Moderator T: 01667 404686
SUNDAY SERVICES (Details of the World Day of Prayer, Good Friday, and any other special Services will be advertised on
Facebook, the Website, and Posters)
FEBRUARY
9th
In The Strathdearn at 10.30am. Donations for the Foodbank welcomed at this Service. Tea and Coffee afterwards.
16th
Joint Service of Holy Communion with Daviot & Dunlichity in The Strathdearn at 11am. Tea and Coffee afterwards.
23rd
In The Strathdearn at 10.30am. Tea and Coffee afterwards.
MARCH:
1ST
Dalarossie Church reopens after its winter closure. Service there @ 10.30 am.
8th
In the Strathdearn @ 10.30 am. Donations for the Foodbank accepted at this Service. Tea and Coffee afterwards.
15th
Dalarossie Church @ 10.30am.
22nd
In The Strathdearn at 10.30 am Tea and Coffee afterwards.
29th
In The Strathdearn at 10.30 am. Tea and Coffee afterwards.
APRIL:
5th
Dalarossie Church @ 10.30 am.
12th
Easter Sunday Service in The Strathdearn @ 10.30 am. Tea and Coffee afterwards.
19th
Dalarossie Church @ 10.30 am.
26th
In The Strathdearn @ 10.30 am. Tea and Coffee after the Service.
MAY:
3rd
Dalarossie Church at 10.30am.
All warmly welcome at any or all of our Services or Activities.
MESSY CHURCH @ MOY, DALAROSSIE & TOMATIN
We enjoy Crafts and Bible Time, and finish with a tasty, home-cooked meal. Children need to be accompanied by an adult. All
welcome!
We meet on the first Sunday of the month in The Strathdearn from 4 – 6pm – except for January which would be very soon
after Christmas and so we wouldn't have enough time to prepare; and July and August when we take a summer break.
MOY, DALAROSSIE & TOMATIN GUILD
Meets on the second Wednesday of each month from September – April inclusive, usually in The Strathdearn, for fellowship and
a varied programme of talks from a variety of interesting speakers.
But there's more to the Guild than tea and talk! Nationally, the Guild works on a three-year, themed cycle of work which has
seen its members reach record levels of giving, with the focus of journeying together with our communities, nation and world,
both in sharing our faith and resources, and in doing everything in our power to bring about positive change, and locally our
Guild raises funds for these projects.
All are welcome at our Guild Meetings (men too, these days!) And for further information please phone May on 01808 511448.
Tomatin Golf Club, Highland. (1905 – 1950’s)
The club was founded in 1905.
The following is an extract from a report that appeared in the Inverness Courier on Tuesday 18th July 1905:-
“On Saturday the new golf course at Tomatin was declared open. The proceedings commenced with an excellent speech by Mr
Macdougall, Tomatin, who referred to the growing reputation of the place as a health resort, and to the necessity of providing a
golf course. In introducing Mrs Macbean, of Tomatin, who had kindly consented to open the course, he handed her a presentation
golf club and ball, the former bearing a suitable inscription engraved on a silver band. The president then called on Mrs Macbean
to drive off the first tee, which was successfully accomplished amid the cheers of numerous spectators. Mrs Macbean was heartily
thanked for her services. Mr Macbean, in responding on her behalf, expressed the pleasure it afforded them both in being present
at the inauguration of the Tomatin golf course. He described the beauties of the course the splendid views from the top, the
bracing air, the varied flower and bird life. He wished the club great success in its new venture.
Mr A Noble, Woodville, on behalf of the committee, thanked the president and visitors who had all contributed to the success of
the occasion, particularly to Mr Machardy, of Inverness, whose advise on the selection of the site and the placing of the greens
had been of the greatest assistance. At present the course consists of only six-holes, but it is intended to extend it as soon as the
necessary funds are provided, there being ample space for enlargement. The sporting nature of the course affords scope for great
variety of play, and, being situated about eleven hundred feet above sea level, it is probably the highest golf ground in Scotland.”
A meeting of the golf club was held in the Public Hall in June 1908, Rev. Mr Morrison presiding. The following would be the
officers for the season; honorary president, L Macbean; president, F Macleod Freeburn; vice president - John Macgillivray,
Morile; captain - J D Macgregor, Tomatinard; secretary – Rev. A J Morrison, The Manse; treasurer, Mr Noble.
Thanks to Mrs J Philpott for the following memories:
“My mother-in-law won the Tomatin Challenge Trophy for the first time in 1923 as Miss A Farquhar when she was 15 years old.
She won it several more times as Mrs A Philpott until 1941. Her sister, Margaret Noble won the cup in 1947 and 1951. It was
presented to my mother-in-law when the club finished as she had won it most frequently.
The first winner was in 1914, last winner of the cup was in 1953. I remember that the last time I walked the course it was very
much overgrown with heather and the greens were all but lost. That was probably in the late 1960s or early 70s. The course was
approached from the old A9 (now the scenic route through Tomatin). I imagine that it is now so absorbed into the surroundings
that it is probably totally unrecognisable as a golf course”
The inscription on the above trophy reads. Noble MacPherson Challenge Trophy presented to Tomatin Golf Club for
the Ladies Annual Handicap Competition.
[From the website www.golfsmissinglinks.co.uk]
Tomatin Firewood - Strathdearn Prices Phone James: 07527 883 606, Email: [email protected], Website: www.tomatinfirewood.co.uk
Free local delivery on any order over £50 (Strathdearn only)*
Firewood (can also be cut to20-50cm length (in 5cm increments))
25cm (10 inch) Tipping Loads (loose volume)
25cm (10 inch) Palletised Loads
Softwood Hardwood 50:50 mix
(loose volume) Softwood Birch
1 x 1m³ £70 £100 N/A
1 x 1.6m³ load - £115 £170
2 x 1m³ £120 £190 £155
2 x 1.6m³ load - £205 £300
3 x 1m³ £130 £260 N/A
3 x 1.6m³ load - £290 £420
4 x 1m³ £210 £320 £265
20cm (8 inch) Tipping Loads (loose volume)
20cm (8 inch) Palletised Loads
Softwood Hardwood 50:50 mix
(loose volume) Softwood Birch
1 x 1m³ £80 £115 N/A
1 x 1.6m³ load - £125 £180
2 x 1m³ £130 £200 £165
2 x 1.6m³ load - £220 £315
3 x 1m³ £185 £275 N/A
3 x 1.6m³ load - £310 £440
4 x 1m³ £230 £340 £285
Briquettes
Nestro (10kg Packet)
1 Pack (10kg) £4 10 Packs (100KG) £37.50
48 Packs £190
96 Packs (1Pallet) £300
Woodlets Pellets (BSL authorised Trader)
20 bags - £75 49 bags £168
98 bags (full pallet) - £295 196 bags (2 full pallets) - £560
Dry Kindling Bagged Firewood
Large sack of kindling- £7.5 or 5 for £35 Softwood - £4.5 or 10 for £40
Standard bag of kindling £4 Hardwood - £6 or 10 for £55
4 bags of natural offcut kindling - £12
Peat £6 or 5 bags or more £5.50 per bag Sawdust (collection only) 1m³ - £18
Coal – Can be tipped into coal bunker or just delivered in bags, please see website for other quantities
10 x 20kg sack of Premium Coal - £75
10 x 20kg sack of House Coal - £65
8 x 25kg sack of Premium Coal (with chunkier bits of coal) - £80
8 x 25kg sack of Burnwell Ovoids - £76
Quality Coal from Connon Brothers
Please note these prices are for deliveries within Strathdearn only and are subject to availability/ change.
*Properties past Glenmazeran may incur additional cost due to additional distance and time
Pini Kay (10kg packet)
1 Pack (10kg) £5
10 Packs (100KG) £45
48 Packs £190
96 Packs (1Pallet) £360
