Draft Minutes of the Community Council Meeting: 1 December 2009 - Achnasheen Village Hall
Present:
Alex Mackenzie, Helen Grainge, Marion Taylor, Sue Tarr, Sheree Grant, Jennifer Haslam, Jimmy Ruggles-Brise.
In attendance:
7 Members of the Public.
Apologies:
John Urquhart, Cllr Urquhart, Uisdean Menzies Jean Bailey.
Chairperson welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced Squadron Leader John Gilbert who gave the meeting a talk on Low Flying in the area.
Approval of Draft Minutes of previous meeting: Proposed Jennifer Haslam.
Seconded Alex Mackenzie
Rural Watch – Helen has been in touch with PC Carrie Shanks Community Police Officer based in Dingwall – unfortunately due to ill health she was unable to attend this meeting but Helen will arrange for her to attend meeting in February. As there have been some instances of vandalism in the local area in particular the toilet at Achnasheen, it was suggested that members of the community remain vigilant and report anything out of the ordinary to the Police.
Review of Community Council Boundaries – it was agreed that an email would be sent informing Highland Council that we wished our area to remain as it currently is.
Level Crossing questionnaire – Helen had additional copies available for anyone who had not yet received their copy.
Correspondence
Planning – notices, letter and eplannning.
Charles Kennedy – Letter from Network Rail.
SNH – golden eagle Protection Areas.
Northern Community Justice – Newsletter.
AOB
Member of the Community asked about Play Park in Garve. The Community Council were not involved with any plans for a play park.
Gorstan Junction – Signs need replacing and bollards requested for road leading into Gorstan.
Rubbish reported in lay-by at Gorstan beside old Church.
Member of Community asked about signs or markings on road at corner at Tarvie.
Sue asked about co-option of members onto Community Council, it was agreed that persons wishing to join should write to Helen, and this will then be discussed by Community Councillors.
Jean suggested that an idea for fund raising would be to have a Community Directory. We will look at this idea in the new year.
As there were several issues relating to roads and transport issues we will try and invite TranServ and Highland Council to meeting.
Date of Next Meeting:
2 February 2010 - Garve Village Hall
==========================================
Garve & District Community Council
Statement of Bank Accounts
30 November 2009
Main Account: £1686.47
Senior Citizens: £760.71
War Memorial: £1540.26
Newsletter: £1076.08
Local Blogs and Websites
Local photography:
www.alltan-dubh-photography.com
Local Author:
www.bryanislip.com
Strathpeffer Pavilion:
www.StrathpefferPavilion.org
Laura’s Cottage Kitchen:
www.laurascottagekitchen.com
Kishorn Seafood Bar:
www.kishornseafoodbar.co.uk
Ledgowan Lodge Hotel:
www.ledgowanlodge.co.uk
Customised Home and Office:
www.customisedhomeandoffice.co.uk
G. G. Mackenzie Contractors:
www.ggmackenzie.com
Gaelic Dalek:
http://gaelicdalek.blogspot.com
MCM Joinery:
www.mcmjoinery.co.uk
Crafts and Crafts People of the Highlands:
www.craftsandcraftspeople.com
Hector Mackenzie, looks at life both inside and outside the Ross-shire Journal office:
http://catsback.livejournal.com
The blog for Marybank Pupils in P1-3:
http://marybankinfants.edublogs.org
A blog by pupils in P4-7 at Marybank Primary:
http://marybankseniors.edublogs.org
Kinlochewe Community Website:
www.kinlochewe.com
Lum needing attention? Independent flueologists of chimney work...
www.thegrateistflame.co.uk
To add your recommendation to this list, email details to:
editorial@achnasheenandgarve.com
www.alltan-dubh-photography.com
Local Author:
www.bryanislip.com
Strathpeffer Pavilion:
www.StrathpefferPavilion.org
Laura’s Cottage Kitchen:
www.laurascottagekitchen.com
Kishorn Seafood Bar:
www.kishornseafoodbar.co.uk
Ledgowan Lodge Hotel:
www.ledgowanlodge.co.uk
Customised Home and Office:
www.customisedhomeandoffice.co.uk
G. G. Mackenzie Contractors:
www.ggmackenzie.com
Gaelic Dalek:
http://gaelicdalek.blogspot.com
MCM Joinery:
www.mcmjoinery.co.uk
Crafts and Crafts People of the Highlands:
www.craftsandcraftspeople.com
Hector Mackenzie, looks at life both inside and outside the Ross-shire Journal office:
http://catsback.livejournal.com
The blog for Marybank Pupils in P1-3:
http://marybankinfants.edublogs.org
A blog by pupils in P4-7 at Marybank Primary:
http://marybankseniors.edublogs.org
Kinlochewe Community Website:
www.kinlochewe.com
Lum needing attention? Independent flueologists of chimney work...
www.thegrateistflame.co.uk
To add your recommendation to this list, email details to:
editorial@achnasheenandgarve.com
Wind Farm Update
Press Release from E.ON, received by email 21 December:
On 1 December E.ON submitted its planning application for the 19 turbine Corriemoillie Wind Farm to The Highland Council. Our application has been registered and we’ve updated our website with the planning documents for viewing and download. The link can be found at eon-uk.com/corriemoillie
If you have any questions regarding this planning application or the proposal, please send an email to corriemoillie@eon-uk.com.
- ends-
Note:
By the time you read this Highland Council should have advertised the planning application in the local press, etc. And details will be on the council’s website.
Please note, however, if you’d like a printed copy or CD of E.ON’s non technical summary/planning documents, this is available free of charge from Matilda Urie (as per the details below), however there will be a few copies available at the next CC meeting, in Garve, on the 2nd February.
Matilda Urie
Project Developer
E.ON, Climate and Renewables
Westwood Way
Westwood Business Park
Coventry.
CV4 8LG
Email:
matilda.urie@eon-uk.com
Tel: 02476 183067
On 1 December E.ON submitted its planning application for the 19 turbine Corriemoillie Wind Farm to The Highland Council. Our application has been registered and we’ve updated our website with the planning documents for viewing and download. The link can be found at eon-uk.com/corriemoillie
If you have any questions regarding this planning application or the proposal, please send an email to corriemoillie@eon-uk.com.
- ends-
Note:
By the time you read this Highland Council should have advertised the planning application in the local press, etc. And details will be on the council’s website.
Please note, however, if you’d like a printed copy or CD of E.ON’s non technical summary/planning documents, this is available free of charge from Matilda Urie (as per the details below), however there will be a few copies available at the next CC meeting, in Garve, on the 2nd February.
Matilda Urie
Project Developer
E.ON, Climate and Renewables
Westwood Way
Westwood Business Park
Coventry.
CV4 8LG
Email:
matilda.urie@eon-uk.com
Tel: 02476 183067
RAF Low Flying Talk
December’s Community Council meeting saw a long-awaited visitor in the form of Sqn Ldr John Gilbert, the RAF’s liaison (Regional Community Relations Officer is his official job title) for low flying operations. Sqdn Ldr Gilbert - himself an ex-Vulcan bomber pilot - gave us a very informative presentation on the role of low flying and its importance to British Forces and their Allies in modern warfare.
Sqn Ldr Gilbert outlined the various low flying zones in the UK, and that here - in the North West Highlands - we do not get as much low flying traffic as other areas do. As the RAF’s representative, he was sympathetic to the disturbance such operations cause to people but contrasted those inconveniences to the importance that low flying training has in the combat theatre as, like any other skill, low flying has to be regularly practiced to remain effective.
Sqn Ldr Gilbert covered the history of the RAF’s tactical operations in Kosovo, Operation Desert Storm and in the Iraqi Campaign, as well as some of the achievements of the Air Force in several more Historic conflicts. He also explained the various developments in detecting and evading various radar and other anti-aircraft systems and the principles involved.
As well as the nitty gritty of combat flying, the Sqn Ldr explained about the regulations governing the Low Flyers - ie, that fixed wing (Jets, propeller driven planes) aircraft must stay 250 ft minimum above the ground whereas rotary winged (Helicopters, etc) aircraft are limited to only 50 ft. The RAF do have their own version of of traffic police and they regularly (and randomly) monitor the areas overflown. Any transgressors are subject to a somewhat stricter law than we motorists have to endure!
As a plane head I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation, however, Sqdn Ldr Gilbert had skillfully aimed his presentation at those not as nerdy as I, and was extremely informative.
The presentation finished to thanks, a round of applause and a question and answer session was held afterwards.
Jim
Sqn Ldr Gilbert outlined the various low flying zones in the UK, and that here - in the North West Highlands - we do not get as much low flying traffic as other areas do. As the RAF’s representative, he was sympathetic to the disturbance such operations cause to people but contrasted those inconveniences to the importance that low flying training has in the combat theatre as, like any other skill, low flying has to be regularly practiced to remain effective.
Sqn Ldr Gilbert covered the history of the RAF’s tactical operations in Kosovo, Operation Desert Storm and in the Iraqi Campaign, as well as some of the achievements of the Air Force in several more Historic conflicts. He also explained the various developments in detecting and evading various radar and other anti-aircraft systems and the principles involved.
As well as the nitty gritty of combat flying, the Sqn Ldr explained about the regulations governing the Low Flyers - ie, that fixed wing (Jets, propeller driven planes) aircraft must stay 250 ft minimum above the ground whereas rotary winged (Helicopters, etc) aircraft are limited to only 50 ft. The RAF do have their own version of of traffic police and they regularly (and randomly) monitor the areas overflown. Any transgressors are subject to a somewhat stricter law than we motorists have to endure!
As a plane head I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation, however, Sqdn Ldr Gilbert had skillfully aimed his presentation at those not as nerdy as I, and was extremely informative.
The presentation finished to thanks, a round of applause and a question and answer session was held afterwards.
Jim
Wildlife & Nature
Cold Furry Snap
This is without a doubt one of the most fiercely cold Winters I have endured in Scotland. Luckily, I get to go into a lovely warm and welcoming house to escape it! Not so for our wee furry and feathered friends, who have been having a hard time of it as the Winter peaks.
“Only two more months and it’ll be over...” I keep telling myself. Our wildlife can’t just pop along to the Supermarket when food or forage is scarce, nor, I suspect, would we all welcome them on the bus or train. Those of you, who, like me run a Cafe in their gardens for the birds will likely have noticed a singleness of purpose in the birds’ behaviour which seems to imply it’s a case of ‘eat or die’ and, in these extreme temperatures, that may just be the case.
Something I had previously neglected though, is the drinking water, figuring that somewhere, the birds will manage to get some - but with pipes in the house freezing and water supplies once taken for granted, being lost, I empathise with the wee feathered fellas’ plight. I will now try to put a bowl of water out for them - who knows? It may even stay unfrozen for more than 20 minutes!
We always know when it’s rough out there, as the Deer - usually high on the hills - deign to visit us and strip all the greenery from the garden! The last 2 weeks have provided an exclusive insight into these shy and, perhaps, secretive creatures’ lives.
As we have observed the individual animals’ behavioural traits, I find myself making that classic human mistake and naming each of animals that visit.
They are not pets - nor will they ever be to me, however, when I’m talking to my partner about them, it does make it easier explaining which animal I’m referring to! All the Does have female names, beginning with ‘D’ (among our ‘regulars’ are Doris, Denise and Deidre) the stags are being named using ‘S’ (originally there was just Stuart, but now there’s Sean - a younger and smaller stag who has either shed his antlers or not grown any yet beyond a pair of 1 inch ‘spikes’ on his head).
The most I’ve counted about the garden in one night (before the snows) was 4 Does and 3 Stags - who knows how many more will venture in from the cold, snow-clad hills before the thaw?
With the passing of the Winter Solstice, the back of the year is broken, and we are once more heading into the light, the next spoke on my own Wheel of the Year is the 1st of February, the old Celtic Spring starts then (not in March like modern times!) though I’ll likely have to wait until the modern Springtime to see the budding greenery, assuming the snow is gone by then that is...
Stay warm, stay safe!
Jim
This is without a doubt one of the most fiercely cold Winters I have endured in Scotland. Luckily, I get to go into a lovely warm and welcoming house to escape it! Not so for our wee furry and feathered friends, who have been having a hard time of it as the Winter peaks.
“Only two more months and it’ll be over...” I keep telling myself. Our wildlife can’t just pop along to the Supermarket when food or forage is scarce, nor, I suspect, would we all welcome them on the bus or train. Those of you, who, like me run a Cafe in their gardens for the birds will likely have noticed a singleness of purpose in the birds’ behaviour which seems to imply it’s a case of ‘eat or die’ and, in these extreme temperatures, that may just be the case.
Something I had previously neglected though, is the drinking water, figuring that somewhere, the birds will manage to get some - but with pipes in the house freezing and water supplies once taken for granted, being lost, I empathise with the wee feathered fellas’ plight. I will now try to put a bowl of water out for them - who knows? It may even stay unfrozen for more than 20 minutes!
We always know when it’s rough out there, as the Deer - usually high on the hills - deign to visit us and strip all the greenery from the garden! The last 2 weeks have provided an exclusive insight into these shy and, perhaps, secretive creatures’ lives.
As we have observed the individual animals’ behavioural traits, I find myself making that classic human mistake and naming each of animals that visit.
They are not pets - nor will they ever be to me, however, when I’m talking to my partner about them, it does make it easier explaining which animal I’m referring to! All the Does have female names, beginning with ‘D’ (among our ‘regulars’ are Doris, Denise and Deidre) the stags are being named using ‘S’ (originally there was just Stuart, but now there’s Sean - a younger and smaller stag who has either shed his antlers or not grown any yet beyond a pair of 1 inch ‘spikes’ on his head).
Doris with Stuart in the background
The most I’ve counted about the garden in one night (before the snows) was 4 Does and 3 Stags - who knows how many more will venture in from the cold, snow-clad hills before the thaw?
With the passing of the Winter Solstice, the back of the year is broken, and we are once more heading into the light, the next spoke on my own Wheel of the Year is the 1st of February, the old Celtic Spring starts then (not in March like modern times!) though I’ll likely have to wait until the modern Springtime to see the budding greenery, assuming the snow is gone by then that is...
Stay warm, stay safe!
Jim
Garve & Lochluichart WRI
Meeting: 26th November 2009
Apologies for getting our secretary's name wrong in the last report, I put Dixon when it should have been Dickinson. Sorry.
President Jennifer Haslam opened the meeting, and introduced the speaker Linda Cruise who gave a very interesting talk and slide show on the Archaeological Heritage of Garve, and the surrounding area, with evidence around us from the late stone age onwards. It gave rise to a discussion on memories and stories of past places and events.
Hostess's were Jeannette Dickinson and Pat MacDonald.
Winners of competitions
Shortbread: 1. Jeannette Dickinson, 2. Bertha Logie, 3. Jennifer Haslam.
Trinket dish: 1. Pat MacDonald, 2. Doreen Young, 3. Jeannette Dickinson.
Helen Grainge
Apologies for getting our secretary's name wrong in the last report, I put Dixon when it should have been Dickinson. Sorry.
President Jennifer Haslam opened the meeting, and introduced the speaker Linda Cruise who gave a very interesting talk and slide show on the Archaeological Heritage of Garve, and the surrounding area, with evidence around us from the late stone age onwards. It gave rise to a discussion on memories and stories of past places and events.
Hostess's were Jeannette Dickinson and Pat MacDonald.
Winners of competitions
Shortbread: 1. Jeannette Dickinson, 2. Bertha Logie, 3. Jennifer Haslam.
Trinket dish: 1. Pat MacDonald, 2. Doreen Young, 3. Jeannette Dickinson.
Helen Grainge
In Brief
* “We are not a bunch of preachy lentil munchers telling you how to live your lives.” So says the leader of Transition, Black Isle’s energy group. “Transition is not about how dreadful the future could be” he said. “It is an invitation to join hundreds of communities around the world taking steps towards a nourishing and abundant future.” (www.ttbi.org.uk)
* A company has developed TELEPRESENCE, a high-definition video and spatial audio system that links up two rooms to look like a boardroom table, even though they may be on different sides of the globe. Members of the Climate Change group, who could not be in Copenhagen recently were linked up via TELEPRESENCE.
* Farmers in Ross-shire are being reassured that there is no need for immediate action on new sheep-tagging rules. European regulations on Electronic Identification (EID) came into force on January 1st 2010, and apply to lambs born after December 31st (2009?) and then only when they reach nine months old or leave their birth farm.
* The first phase of Dingwall’s new High Street, featuring Caithness slab paving, has been completed. Plans for the revamping of the remainder of the pedestrianised area should run from February to April. The plans will be displayed in Ross House, Dingwall, and also on www.dingwall.org.
* Muir of Ord Skatepark is set for expansion. The park is really designed for older children and a new extension of 15 metres will encourage younger skateboarders. Once the new extension is in place the club will consider building a roof over the park to allow boarders to use it all year round! The Skatepark is situated near the BMX track behind the Police Station in the centre of the village.
* A Ross-shire estate has established a ‘collecting stone’ for Highland Hospice, within their gardens. The Brahan estate owner continues to volunteer in the in-patient unit and has long been an ambassador for the Hospice. Now a permanent donation box is in place at Brahan to allow visitors, at any time, to leave what they feel they can afford. Named trees and a river walk and pond add to the attractions of the Dell with its azaleas and ancient rhododendrons.
* As long ago as the third century BC, Plato wrote that “one of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is you end up being governed by your inferiors.” Oh blimey!
* Vattenfall, Europe’s fifth largest energy group, wants to have a further five onshore windfarms operating in Scotland within the next three years. Details of the plan emerged as Alex Salmond, our First Minister, prepared to officially open the company’s office in Edinburgh. The company’s first windfarm in Scotland is on the Isle of Skye and has 13 turbines with 5 due to be added later. Puzzlingly the firm hopes to become “climate-neutral”.
* “There is a lot to be said for an interest in gardening. For one thing, it helps you come to terms with February.” So begins an essay by Ursula Buchan in her collection of writings called ‘Back to the garden”. £16.99 by Frances Lincoln. Think I’ll speak to the Library van…
* There are 23 automatic open crossings in Scotland. 21 of the 23 rail crossings are in the Highlands. Two on the Fort William to Mallaig line, Seven on the Dingwall to Kyle line and twelve on the Inverness to Wick and Thurso line. Because there are so many crossings on those lines, MSP Willie Coffey pointed out that in the Highlands, a train somewhere is using an open crossing every 10 minutes.
* Quality Meat Scotland is suffering a severe decrease in their spending power because their funding comes via a levy system on all animals slaughtered in Scotland. As Scots eat a relatively small amount of lamb, many of our lambs find their way into England to be finished or Wales to be slaughtered and so take the levy with them.
* The proposed resurfacing of the Kessock Bridge could provide a golden opportunity for businesses and services in Ross-shire. The bridge carries approximately 30,000 vehicles a day, between Inverness and the Black Isle. Proposals to be looked at are:
a temporary bus/HGV lane between Tore roundabout and the bridge, additional train services, a passenger ferry between North Kessock and Inverness and a car share promotion.
* The Contin Community Centre Trust lodged plans to build a 200 seat hall and coffee lounge, in the grounds of the former village primary school. However, scheme hangs on whether the Council exercises a pre-emption clause, which would allow it to buy the school back from Contin Community Council for the original fee of £1.00.
* Let’s hope that the RED squirrel my neighbour spotted in Lochluichart, at the end of last year, found somewhere cosy to hibernate during the freezing weather - along with others who have, very occasionally, been seen in that area.
* A Highland MSP is pressing local authorities to show their support for newspapers by continuing to advertise public notices in them. An estimated £10 million is at stake if councils switch advertising to online sources - a move which would also limit the number of people seeing them.
* Farm safety is firmly on the curriculum for a new intake of students at the Scottish Agricultural College. The idea is to stamp out bad working habits before they begin. Tractors, complex machinery, lifting and carrying heavy loads as well as working from heights, all make the farm a hazardous environment where workers need to take extra care.
* An Easter Ross businessman has received the back of a local MSP. The Northern Tyre Recycling Centre believes bales (URRO blocks), formed by compressing 140 old tyres at a time, have major part to play in flood defences, road building, buildings, embankments and dams. This use of waste provides good quality long lasting material. (www.northerntyre.com)
Pam Morrison
* A company has developed TELEPRESENCE, a high-definition video and spatial audio system that links up two rooms to look like a boardroom table, even though they may be on different sides of the globe. Members of the Climate Change group, who could not be in Copenhagen recently were linked up via TELEPRESENCE.
* Farmers in Ross-shire are being reassured that there is no need for immediate action on new sheep-tagging rules. European regulations on Electronic Identification (EID) came into force on January 1st 2010, and apply to lambs born after December 31st (2009?) and then only when they reach nine months old or leave their birth farm.
* The first phase of Dingwall’s new High Street, featuring Caithness slab paving, has been completed. Plans for the revamping of the remainder of the pedestrianised area should run from February to April. The plans will be displayed in Ross House, Dingwall, and also on www.dingwall.org.
* Muir of Ord Skatepark is set for expansion. The park is really designed for older children and a new extension of 15 metres will encourage younger skateboarders. Once the new extension is in place the club will consider building a roof over the park to allow boarders to use it all year round! The Skatepark is situated near the BMX track behind the Police Station in the centre of the village.
* A Ross-shire estate has established a ‘collecting stone’ for Highland Hospice, within their gardens. The Brahan estate owner continues to volunteer in the in-patient unit and has long been an ambassador for the Hospice. Now a permanent donation box is in place at Brahan to allow visitors, at any time, to leave what they feel they can afford. Named trees and a river walk and pond add to the attractions of the Dell with its azaleas and ancient rhododendrons.
* As long ago as the third century BC, Plato wrote that “one of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is you end up being governed by your inferiors.” Oh blimey!
* Vattenfall, Europe’s fifth largest energy group, wants to have a further five onshore windfarms operating in Scotland within the next three years. Details of the plan emerged as Alex Salmond, our First Minister, prepared to officially open the company’s office in Edinburgh. The company’s first windfarm in Scotland is on the Isle of Skye and has 13 turbines with 5 due to be added later. Puzzlingly the firm hopes to become “climate-neutral”.
* “There is a lot to be said for an interest in gardening. For one thing, it helps you come to terms with February.” So begins an essay by Ursula Buchan in her collection of writings called ‘Back to the garden”. £16.99 by Frances Lincoln. Think I’ll speak to the Library van…
* There are 23 automatic open crossings in Scotland. 21 of the 23 rail crossings are in the Highlands. Two on the Fort William to Mallaig line, Seven on the Dingwall to Kyle line and twelve on the Inverness to Wick and Thurso line. Because there are so many crossings on those lines, MSP Willie Coffey pointed out that in the Highlands, a train somewhere is using an open crossing every 10 minutes.
* Quality Meat Scotland is suffering a severe decrease in their spending power because their funding comes via a levy system on all animals slaughtered in Scotland. As Scots eat a relatively small amount of lamb, many of our lambs find their way into England to be finished or Wales to be slaughtered and so take the levy with them.
* The proposed resurfacing of the Kessock Bridge could provide a golden opportunity for businesses and services in Ross-shire. The bridge carries approximately 30,000 vehicles a day, between Inverness and the Black Isle. Proposals to be looked at are:
a temporary bus/HGV lane between Tore roundabout and the bridge, additional train services, a passenger ferry between North Kessock and Inverness and a car share promotion.
* The Contin Community Centre Trust lodged plans to build a 200 seat hall and coffee lounge, in the grounds of the former village primary school. However, scheme hangs on whether the Council exercises a pre-emption clause, which would allow it to buy the school back from Contin Community Council for the original fee of £1.00.
* Let’s hope that the RED squirrel my neighbour spotted in Lochluichart, at the end of last year, found somewhere cosy to hibernate during the freezing weather - along with others who have, very occasionally, been seen in that area.
* A Highland MSP is pressing local authorities to show their support for newspapers by continuing to advertise public notices in them. An estimated £10 million is at stake if councils switch advertising to online sources - a move which would also limit the number of people seeing them.
* Farm safety is firmly on the curriculum for a new intake of students at the Scottish Agricultural College. The idea is to stamp out bad working habits before they begin. Tractors, complex machinery, lifting and carrying heavy loads as well as working from heights, all make the farm a hazardous environment where workers need to take extra care.
* An Easter Ross businessman has received the back of a local MSP. The Northern Tyre Recycling Centre believes bales (URRO blocks), formed by compressing 140 old tyres at a time, have major part to play in flood defences, road building, buildings, embankments and dams. This use of waste provides good quality long lasting material. (www.northerntyre.com)
Pam Morrison
From a time gone by…
Many thanks to Helen Murchison of Kishorn for providing the three images shown here - Lochrosque Castle in it’s glory, a view across the loch, and the lodge at Cabuie (which, like Lochrosque, unfortunately is no longer standing).
It was lovely to meet Helen, who has many wonderful memories of the area when she was growing up - I’m hoping that Helen will write some of these down, at some point, for us all to enjoy.
Jackie
Lochside
The robin that came in from the cold
Well, what a turnaround from last year on Christmas Day. There I was fishing on an island in Loch Luichart, it was so sunny and warm I had my shirt off! This year everything frozen solid and snow two feet deep, with the inside of my windows so iced up I couldn’t see out.
With no prospects of fishing I spent hours feeding the birds non-stop outside my back door - deer came into the front garden concentrating on one patch beneath a massive ivy covered birch for no apparent reason.
Then, on Christmas eve a fluffed up robin came into my kitchen and just followed me around, like a mouse, getting under my feet and investigating every nook and cranny.
When I left both the front and back doors open, so it could go out, four its robin mates came in, fighting and darting around like miniature aeroplanes, breaking an antique plate I’ve had for years depicting a pike and a zander. They finally decided to leave, while little Fluffy just went to sleep on a picture frame!
Thankfully I was then able to shut the door, as with the boiler packing up for weeks I’ve had not hot water or heat in the house during the coldest spell we’ve had for 20 odd years, the place was cold enough as it was without doors being open to let marauding robins out!
Being on the go, sawing, chopping and splitting logs for the open fire each day I hadn’t realised just how cold it was until the milk froze in the kitchen, and the olive oil thickened and the honey hardened! I then heard on the radio even the River Clyde was freezing over, and the Highlands were between 11 and 16 degrees below.
So, no wonder this clever little bundle of fluff would refuse to go out, even when I was putting food out for the other birds it would just turn and shuffle back between my feet and head for the kitchen. So a plate of crumbs was left on the side, with a bowl of water, and I sorted out a couple of old heaters brought from Kent and not used for well over ten years. They worked, although uneconomical, but at least they took the chill off the place now I had a little guest!
Later, leaving the robin feeding from the plate in the kitchen, I sat on my bed fully clothed and wearing gloves with a heater on, to do a bit of sketching and writing, leaving the door a few inches ajar to let a bit of air in (as these old electric heaters soon take up the air in the room if left enclosed), in comes Fluffy, flying up onto the bed, sits on my head, then my hand, then the drawing pad, and then off to investigate the palm plants, all the picture frames, vases, mirrors, heater and even the floor, then back on my head again.
When I got up to put food out for Marty (the Pine Marten, now in her 10th year of nightly and daily calls), Fluffy followed me around the house, feeding occasionally from the food plate, ignoring the water bowl, and drinking from the sink.
When I finally sat down to watch a bit of TV it sat on my knee, shoulder, then head, and would again investigate the carpets, pecking this and that, not for food, as I put some down and it was virtually ignored, so what the fascination was I’ve no idea. If I moved it was under my feet. I prepared the fire to light, and it sat on the logs, looking up the chimney. So I dared not light the fire, far too attractive for this tiny mite! So I tricked it to follow me into the bedroom, where it sat on the headboard, so I shut the door, turned the light off, and got the fire going.
When I retired at 1am, I could see it’s outline fast asleep where I’d left it, a round fluff ball on the headboard, so I crept into bed trying not to hit my head against the board, and I hardly moved all night. Unusual for me, as normally I toss and turn, dream a lot, get up make a tea or even a meal. But for once, not wanting to disturb my little house guest, I stayed still!
7.30 next morning I was awake, but Fluffy was still fast asleep (12 hours!). Now normally I’ve noticed the robins are the first up in the mornings of all the birds, and the last to stop feeding at night (even when it’s dark).
I gone to bed expecting to be woken up early with the robin fluttering about - I was out feeding the other birds, when it finally appeared at the back door, but no further!
I’ve had a number of very trusting birds and animals over the years, pigeons, blackbirds, thrushes, robins, in Kent, and even a fox that came in one evening after feeding with hedgehogs from a plate of food. It sat on my couch and calmly watched the aquarium fish. I took twelve photos, and even woke my neighbour up to come and watch. In the end at 2am I cooked it some fish, left the doors open and went to bed with the fox quite happy to stay!
But this little robin has been by far the tamest and most trusting, and apart from doing its poo in a few places, it’s been no trouble and seems happy enough exploring its new domain, so very inquisitive.
If anyone else has had a similar experience with a wild bird or animal I’d be very interested to hear about it.
David Willis
(Ed’s note: as David says we’d love to hear your close encounter stories with the local wildlife - deadline for submissions for next issue is 1 March - email or post - details on the back page).
Well, what a turnaround from last year on Christmas Day. There I was fishing on an island in Loch Luichart, it was so sunny and warm I had my shirt off! This year everything frozen solid and snow two feet deep, with the inside of my windows so iced up I couldn’t see out.
With no prospects of fishing I spent hours feeding the birds non-stop outside my back door - deer came into the front garden concentrating on one patch beneath a massive ivy covered birch for no apparent reason.
Then, on Christmas eve a fluffed up robin came into my kitchen and just followed me around, like a mouse, getting under my feet and investigating every nook and cranny.
When I left both the front and back doors open, so it could go out, four its robin mates came in, fighting and darting around like miniature aeroplanes, breaking an antique plate I’ve had for years depicting a pike and a zander. They finally decided to leave, while little Fluffy just went to sleep on a picture frame!
Being on the go, sawing, chopping and splitting logs for the open fire each day I hadn’t realised just how cold it was until the milk froze in the kitchen, and the olive oil thickened and the honey hardened! I then heard on the radio even the River Clyde was freezing over, and the Highlands were between 11 and 16 degrees below.
So, no wonder this clever little bundle of fluff would refuse to go out, even when I was putting food out for the other birds it would just turn and shuffle back between my feet and head for the kitchen. So a plate of crumbs was left on the side, with a bowl of water, and I sorted out a couple of old heaters brought from Kent and not used for well over ten years. They worked, although uneconomical, but at least they took the chill off the place now I had a little guest!
Later, leaving the robin feeding from the plate in the kitchen, I sat on my bed fully clothed and wearing gloves with a heater on, to do a bit of sketching and writing, leaving the door a few inches ajar to let a bit of air in (as these old electric heaters soon take up the air in the room if left enclosed), in comes Fluffy, flying up onto the bed, sits on my head, then my hand, then the drawing pad, and then off to investigate the palm plants, all the picture frames, vases, mirrors, heater and even the floor, then back on my head again.
When I got up to put food out for Marty (the Pine Marten, now in her 10th year of nightly and daily calls), Fluffy followed me around the house, feeding occasionally from the food plate, ignoring the water bowl, and drinking from the sink.
When I finally sat down to watch a bit of TV it sat on my knee, shoulder, then head, and would again investigate the carpets, pecking this and that, not for food, as I put some down and it was virtually ignored, so what the fascination was I’ve no idea. If I moved it was under my feet. I prepared the fire to light, and it sat on the logs, looking up the chimney. So I dared not light the fire, far too attractive for this tiny mite! So I tricked it to follow me into the bedroom, where it sat on the headboard, so I shut the door, turned the light off, and got the fire going.
When I retired at 1am, I could see it’s outline fast asleep where I’d left it, a round fluff ball on the headboard, so I crept into bed trying not to hit my head against the board, and I hardly moved all night. Unusual for me, as normally I toss and turn, dream a lot, get up make a tea or even a meal. But for once, not wanting to disturb my little house guest, I stayed still!
7.30 next morning I was awake, but Fluffy was still fast asleep (12 hours!). Now normally I’ve noticed the robins are the first up in the mornings of all the birds, and the last to stop feeding at night (even when it’s dark).
I gone to bed expecting to be woken up early with the robin fluttering about - I was out feeding the other birds, when it finally appeared at the back door, but no further!
I’ve had a number of very trusting birds and animals over the years, pigeons, blackbirds, thrushes, robins, in Kent, and even a fox that came in one evening after feeding with hedgehogs from a plate of food. It sat on my couch and calmly watched the aquarium fish. I took twelve photos, and even woke my neighbour up to come and watch. In the end at 2am I cooked it some fish, left the doors open and went to bed with the fox quite happy to stay!
But this little robin has been by far the tamest and most trusting, and apart from doing its poo in a few places, it’s been no trouble and seems happy enough exploring its new domain, so very inquisitive.
If anyone else has had a similar experience with a wild bird or animal I’d be very interested to hear about it.
David Willis
(Ed’s note: as David says we’d love to hear your close encounter stories with the local wildlife - deadline for submissions for next issue is 1 March - email or post - details on the back page).
Dancing, singing and verse...
On 17th December the over 60’s Christmas party was held at the Aultguish Inn. Thirty five people attended, unfortunately a few people weren’t able to attend due to illness.
The hotel was festively decorated, warm and welcoming. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the lovely dinner, together with a much appreciated complimentary glass of wine from Dario and Leslie.
After dinner Alec MacKenzie played his accordion and the floor soon filled with dancers. In addition, Johnnie Matheson and Dena Ross gave us a few songs, and Jock Logie provided us with verse.
A big vote of thanks to Dario and Leslie for making the evening so enjoyable and memorable, AND for fundraising for our printer fund on the night - by donating a percentage of the bar takings. Very much appreciated!
Thanks also to all the people who helped with fund- raising to make the dinner possible, and to the volunteers who helped with transport, serving and entertaining.
Helen Grainge
The hotel was festively decorated, warm and welcoming. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the lovely dinner, together with a much appreciated complimentary glass of wine from Dario and Leslie.
After dinner Alec MacKenzie played his accordion and the floor soon filled with dancers. In addition, Johnnie Matheson and Dena Ross gave us a few songs, and Jock Logie provided us with verse.
A big vote of thanks to Dario and Leslie for making the evening so enjoyable and memorable, AND for fundraising for our printer fund on the night - by donating a percentage of the bar takings. Very much appreciated!
Thanks also to all the people who helped with fund- raising to make the dinner possible, and to the volunteers who helped with transport, serving and entertaining.
Helen Grainge
Perfect Role Models…
Each child donated at least £1, and in the afternoon they had a photo-shoot where all the heroes were snapped together! They explained the special skills or characteristics that their hero had, and all agreed, that if they could have mixed all these together they would have the ingredients for the perfect role model!
The heroes ranged from well known celebrities such as Cheryl Cole, Miley Cyrus and Darth Vader to one pupil's mum!
In total the 18 pupils in P1-7 raised £45.
A great community effort!
Friday (4 December) evening, the Christmas tree lights were switched on by a representative child from Strathgarve school. The tree was donated by Strathbran Estate (our thanks to the Seligman family), and mounted on the front of the hall. Initially not all the lights came on, when they finally did, the tree and hall looked very impressive. The children sang carols in front of the hall to an appreciative audience.
In the warmth of the hall there were hot dogs. mulled wine/juice, games to try, and a few things to buy.
Saturday the 5th - stall holders arrived to set out their wares for the start of the sale at 10am.
It all looked very festive, and there was a steady stream of people to buy, and relax with tea and mince pies. Children with painted faces waited for Santa, who arrived at mid-day with sacks of presents.
Everyone enjoyed the day, the stall holders were pleased with sales and commented on the friendly atmosphere.
The Community Council would like to thank everyone who helped by donating bottles, baking, gifts and gave up their valuable time, and of course to those who supported us by attending the fair.
Helen Grainge
From the Manse
During the recent cold weather it was hard to imagine that Spring is the next season.
It was as though we had travelled back to the weather I remember nearly 50 years ago in Aberdeenshire. Weeks of fun for sledging and curlers, but hard work and long hours for those who kept homes warm or cleared roads or fed beasts.
My memory recalled the old sayings “Too cold for snow”, or if the snow lay long on the fields the old folk would say “its inviting mair”. Then how you begin to wish for the snow to shift as quickly, well, as quickly “as snow affa dyke”.
Weather sayings have a great deal of truth in them as they come from long experience.
‘Red sky in in morning shepherd’s warning, Red sky at night shepherds delight’ is actually mentioned in the Bible at Matthew chapter 16 verse 2.
It is Jesus himself who recounts it. He is exasperated by those who want a magic sign from heaven, and suggests to them that the sign they seek is before them.
As the decade finished people filled newspapers with features looking back. And a few too sought to look forward. It is always tempting to want to know the future, yet experience should tell us this is no guarantee we would do the right thing with our knowledge. What we do know is that God has given us gifts and strengths as human beings that we can use for good. He has given us the gift of Jesus Christ.
Micah in the Old testament writes “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
As the seasons turn may you know love and peace this year.
And, yes, Spring is just around the corner. The first creme eggs were in the shops, and I saw the first camper van of spring on 2nd of January!
Christmas Past
A lovely carol service was held in the late afternoon of Christmas Eve at Lochluichart Kirk.
Despite the snow a good number of folk attended. Thanks go to those who helped decorate the church and Lochluichart Estate for the lovely Christmas tree.
The previous Sunday the snow had prevented the choir from singing at the united service at Contin. A great deal of hard work was put in by Steve Jones, and the singers who loyally travelled far for rehearsals - so hopefully next Christmas!
The weather meant cancellation of the Strathconon Christingle service and the first service of the year at Lochluichart.
Our Malawi twinning project
In May, the Presbytery of Ross welcomed four friends from Ekwendeni In Malawi for a three week stay among the parishes of the presbytery.
Enos Msowya visited our parish and as a response to help his hospital in Malawi a number in the parish undertook 'THE FIVE POUND CHALLENGE' Using a small sum of money to raise some more.
The things folk did varied from selling kindling to making marmalade. The twelve folk involved raised £694. Thanks goes to all who took part, and those of you who kindly supported the venture.
The collections at the Christmas eve services raised a further £215 for Ekwendeni.
The grand total of £909 has been forwarded to the hospital for work in their outreach clinics
Thanks
Thank you to all who supported the various church events throughout the year. We were particularly grateful for the support of the church sale at Garve in November from the local community and the estates. We are a small congregation with a big area to cover and we thank our neighbours for their kindness.
Rev. Fraser Stewart
It was as though we had travelled back to the weather I remember nearly 50 years ago in Aberdeenshire. Weeks of fun for sledging and curlers, but hard work and long hours for those who kept homes warm or cleared roads or fed beasts.
My memory recalled the old sayings “Too cold for snow”, or if the snow lay long on the fields the old folk would say “its inviting mair”. Then how you begin to wish for the snow to shift as quickly, well, as quickly “as snow affa dyke”.
Weather sayings have a great deal of truth in them as they come from long experience.
‘Red sky in in morning shepherd’s warning, Red sky at night shepherds delight’ is actually mentioned in the Bible at Matthew chapter 16 verse 2.
It is Jesus himself who recounts it. He is exasperated by those who want a magic sign from heaven, and suggests to them that the sign they seek is before them.
As the decade finished people filled newspapers with features looking back. And a few too sought to look forward. It is always tempting to want to know the future, yet experience should tell us this is no guarantee we would do the right thing with our knowledge. What we do know is that God has given us gifts and strengths as human beings that we can use for good. He has given us the gift of Jesus Christ.
Micah in the Old testament writes “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
As the seasons turn may you know love and peace this year.
And, yes, Spring is just around the corner. The first creme eggs were in the shops, and I saw the first camper van of spring on 2nd of January!
Christmas Past
A lovely carol service was held in the late afternoon of Christmas Eve at Lochluichart Kirk.
Despite the snow a good number of folk attended. Thanks go to those who helped decorate the church and Lochluichart Estate for the lovely Christmas tree.
The previous Sunday the snow had prevented the choir from singing at the united service at Contin. A great deal of hard work was put in by Steve Jones, and the singers who loyally travelled far for rehearsals - so hopefully next Christmas!
The weather meant cancellation of the Strathconon Christingle service and the first service of the year at Lochluichart.
Our Malawi twinning project
In May, the Presbytery of Ross welcomed four friends from Ekwendeni In Malawi for a three week stay among the parishes of the presbytery.
Enos Msowya visited our parish and as a response to help his hospital in Malawi a number in the parish undertook 'THE FIVE POUND CHALLENGE' Using a small sum of money to raise some more.
The things folk did varied from selling kindling to making marmalade. The twelve folk involved raised £694. Thanks goes to all who took part, and those of you who kindly supported the venture.
The collections at the Christmas eve services raised a further £215 for Ekwendeni.
The grand total of £909 has been forwarded to the hospital for work in their outreach clinics
Thanks
Thank you to all who supported the various church events throughout the year. We were particularly grateful for the support of the church sale at Garve in November from the local community and the estates. We are a small congregation with a big area to cover and we thank our neighbours for their kindness.
Rev. Fraser Stewart
Friends of the News & Views
The following people/organisations have made generous donations to the News & Views printer fund:
EVIE URQUHART
MR. FRIDAY
MR. MONKS
R. J. MACLEODS
E.ON
SPA PHARMACY
DOUG WINSHIP
THE AULTGUISH INN
THANK YOU, YOUR SUPPORT IS MUCH APPRECIATED!
If you’d like to become a Friend of the News & Views by contributing to the newsletter printer fund, please contact fundraiser Harry Grainge, by phone or email, for details:
01997 455238
grainge.inchbae@btinternet.com
EVIE URQUHART
MR. FRIDAY
MR. MONKS
R. J. MACLEODS
E.ON
SPA PHARMACY
DOUG WINSHIP
THE AULTGUISH INN
THANK YOU, YOUR SUPPORT IS MUCH APPRECIATED!
If you’d like to become a Friend of the News & Views by contributing to the newsletter printer fund, please contact fundraiser Harry Grainge, by phone or email, for details:
01997 455238
grainge.inchbae@btinternet.com
Announcement re newsletter
From the next (Easter) issue, the cover price of the Achnasheen and Garve News & Views newsletter will be increased to 35p.
Householders in the GDCC catchment will continue to receive their copies delivered free of any charge, but those copies sold in shops, hotels, etc, will be at the new price.
Those outlets selling the newsletter will be provided with an invoice with the newsletters, which should be paid immediately to the person who delivers to them to you. Sorry, but we are unable to supply newsletters on a sale/return basis.
The invoice will be for the full amount, however, if the outlet wishes, they may deduct a 5p ‘commission’ per newsletter, as a thank you from the Community Council for selling on our behalf.
However, if the outlet wishes to donate the 5p per unit to the Community Council, this sum will be put into the fund for the Over 60’s Christmas Party.
Full details will be outlined on the invoice with the newsletters.
If anyone else would like to sell the News & Views on our behalf, and earn the 5p per unit commission for themselves or another good cause, please contact Harry or Helen Grainge (01997 455238) to make arrangements.
A BIG THANK YOU to all outlets for your continued support!
Householders in the GDCC catchment will continue to receive their copies delivered free of any charge, but those copies sold in shops, hotels, etc, will be at the new price.
Those outlets selling the newsletter will be provided with an invoice with the newsletters, which should be paid immediately to the person who delivers to them to you. Sorry, but we are unable to supply newsletters on a sale/return basis.
The invoice will be for the full amount, however, if the outlet wishes, they may deduct a 5p ‘commission’ per newsletter, as a thank you from the Community Council for selling on our behalf.
However, if the outlet wishes to donate the 5p per unit to the Community Council, this sum will be put into the fund for the Over 60’s Christmas Party.
Full details will be outlined on the invoice with the newsletters.
If anyone else would like to sell the News & Views on our behalf, and earn the 5p per unit commission for themselves or another good cause, please contact Harry or Helen Grainge (01997 455238) to make arrangements.
A BIG THANK YOU to all outlets for your continued support!
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