STRATHDEARN

NEWSLETTER August 2019 Also available on the community website: www.strathdearn.org Volume 19 No 3

ART IN STRATHDEARN ANNUAL ART EXHIBITION

Lots of interesting paintings and crafts on display at our selling exhibition plus all the entries for the school

painting competition AND the results!

Friday August 23rd

Preview evening 7pm to 9pm - refreshments.

Everyone welcome

Saturday August 24th 11am to 5pm

Sunday August 25th 11am to 5pm

Refreshments &Raffle

Remember to vote in the Memory Bowl competition. Pick your favourite interpretation of this year's theme -

Feathers - from the pieces on display in the hall entrance.

Strathdearn Community Council publishes 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 Strathdearn Community Council, 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 Barley@btinternet.com

Printing: Mrs D.Barley, Mrs S Edward Distribution: Mrs M Buckle

Business adverts £10 per quarter page Next deadline: Wednesday 23rd

October 2019

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 our community policewoman: Catherine McGibbon, Community Beats, Burnet Road, Inverness.

email catherine.mcgibbon@scotland.pnn.police.uk 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

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES 3rd Monday of Month (except December) Gardening Club 7.30pm Strathdearn Hall, Contact: May Buckle 511448 2nd Tuesday of Month Community Council 7.30pm Strathdearn Hall All welcome Every Wednesday Community Coffee Morning 10.30-11.30am Strathdearn Hall All welcome, £2 Every Wednesday Walking Group 2pm meet at Strathdearn Hall car park Contact: Kathy Bonniface 511740

Every Thursday 11.30am – 1.30pm Tomatin Shop

POST OFFICE Every Thursday (term time) Toddlers’ Group 10am-noon, Strathdearn Hall

Contact: Donna Edward 07732 100311.

Every Thursday Art Class 1.30– 3.30pm Strathdearn Hall, 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 Hall

For booking or access into the Strathdearn Hall or Sports Facility in Tomatin please ring the Hallkeeper Steve Culeen 01808 511321 or email s.culeen@hotmail.co.uk (please note there is a dot in the name) . You can also book at the website. The Sports Facility is free for local youngsters (under-18’s) to play ball games. Evening/regular groups of adults will be charged. Available for ball games and tennis. No bicycles, animals or food & drink allowed on the pitch. No blades or studs. Open 9am-9pm. Sports Facility Light tokens free to under-18’s only, available from Debbie Mackay 511466, Lewis Macleod 511354 or Gavin Edward 511427.

Hire rates (local)

Findhorn Room £9 p/hour Funtack Room £6 p/hour Clune Room £5 p/hour

Sports Facility £11 p/hour

Findhorn /Funtack Rooms together: £14 p/hour

Double rates for non-locals (ie outside Strathdearn district)

Announcements and Local News

Congratulations to Louise A Beaumont. After four years hard graft, blood, sweat and tears at QMU Edinburgh, Louise graduated on the 9th July 2019 with a Degree of Bachelor of Science with Honours in Nursing and has start her career

as Staff Nurse at the "Royal" in Edinburgh.

Congratulations to Andrew and Kim Macleod who welcomed their baby daughter, Addison Esmee Macleod, into the world on 5th July at 11.18am, weighing 7lb 9oz. Commander and Mrs SA Gerlings CLJ are happy to announce the engagement of their son Symen David Gerlings to

Helen McKenna, daughter of Dr Jean and Dr Gordon McKenna, on the 19th June.

Emily MacRae starts her 3rd Year of the Law degree at Aarhus University, in Denmark in mid August. She has been

lucky enough to be accepted on the Erasmus exchange scheme and will study there until the end of January.

Lisa MacRae starts her Architecture degree at RGU in Aberdeen this September.

George Coleridge Boles - the grandson of the late Vernon Coleridge Boles and the late Elizabeth

Boles of Old Clune - achieved the best results at his school (Ramsey Grammar School) at A level

getting 4 A Stars in Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics last summer and he is now

studying Further Maths at St Andrews.

Simon and Karen Beaumont celebrated their Silver wedding anniversary on June 12th – congratulations!

Angie and Richard Noble will be celebrating their Ruby Wedding Anniversary on 2nd

November (getting that in now in

case you don’t see the next Newsletter in time!)

Senior Citizens Festive Lunch 2019

Following on from last years successful lunch outing, plans are now well underway for this year’s event.

The proposed date is Monday 2nd December 2019. Look out for more detail in the next Newsletter or on

Strathdearn social media, but put the date in your diary now!

Any questions? Contact Susan Falconer (susfalcon@aol.com) or 01808 511270.

The area suffered two lots of burglaries in the summer ... firstly to a house up the Glen and a house at

Daviot, and then a couple of weeks later the Tomatin shop was broken into and extensive damage done:

https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/three-charged-in-connection-with-break-ins-across-the-

highlands-180977/

July 29th

Stewart Burns (35) and Andrew Gardiner (34), both from Tayside, appeared in private at Inverness Sheriff Court

today before Sheriff David Sutherland and made no plea to the charges against them.

A 14-year-old boy has also been referred to the Children's Panel in connection with the same incidents.

Gardiner was released on bail and Burns remanded pending further inquiry.

The alleged offences took place at at a car dealership on Millburn Road in Inverness and further commercial premises

in North Kessock, Tomatin and Dalwhinnie.

Burns and Gardiner will also be reported in connection with road traffic offences.

NATURAL HISTORY CLUB

It's a while since the club had a formal meeting and

we hope to resume our programme of talks before

the end of the year in the new hall, probably towards

the end of November.

There are a number of possible contenders, probably

of the travelogue-with-wildlife genre.

A year or two ago a wildlife with music event was well

received and a follow up is planned.

Thinking of local wildlife I've enjoyed the influx of

Waxwings, local Ospreys and the Loch Ruthven

Slavonian Grebe and in the last few days the lovely

Painted Lady butterfly.

We always want to hear more about local wildlife and

it would be great to have contributions from new

speakers and members.

David Bonniface, davidbonniface@aol.com

Routine Stuff

I didn’t wake at daybreak

For my eyes were shut real tight,

I didn’t rise at seven

But I did at ten to eight.

I didn’t fill the kettle

When I wanted just a cup,

I didn’t need the sugar

which I’ve long since given up.

I didn’t boil a single egg

Because I usually have two,

I didn’t spill the cornflakes

like what I often do.

I didn’t put the cat out

It must be understood,

I didn’t find one anywhere

so the dog went out instead.

I didn’t check the mailbox

In case I found a letter,

I didn’t need to answer it

so now I feel much better.

D Macaskill

Messy Church Barbeque

Sunday 18 th August 16.00-18.00

The Old Manse, Moy.

An afternoon of fun whether or not you come to

Messy Church.

There will be an assault course, bouncy castle and

hot tub so come prepared.

Just for catering numbers, if you are planning to

come please let Liz know on 07737349082.

Also if you have any dietary needs please let me

know. Hope to see you there!

STEP IT UP HIGHLAND

We have just completed a walk up the lower part of

the Farr hill road on one of these lovely summer days

when the temperature was stable at a very pleasant

20 degrees C. It was peaceful and silent, with no wind

and no traffic at all, and just the conditions to carry

out a flower count as we walked. There were all the

usual wayside flowers we have been seeing for a while

now, but also some new ones just coming into flower.

It was with something of a pang that we saw thistles

in full flower, the Scottish bluebell or harebell, and

dainty white blooms on the insectivorous round-

leafed sundew, as well as the first purple on the

heather (calluna vulgaris). These are all reminders that

we are now in high summer, and August is about to

overtake us. We even saw some scabious in flower,

which is a plant I normally associate with September.

However it is also a reminder of how much we enjoy

walking in our beautiful countryside, both for the

exercise and the company, but also for the many

points of interest; whether that be the flowers, birds

and other animals, the archaeological remains, the

geology and the varied landscapes.

If you would like to join us you would be very

welcome. Contact Kathy or David on 511740, or Carol

on 531220. It would be as well to contact us at the

moment, as holiday arrangements and the closure of

the village hall for a couple of weeks in August will be

disrupting our usual weekly meetings.

Tomatin Community Shop. Progress continues to be made at the Village shop, a lifeline service for the Strathdearn Community.

Lee Anne Cornwall has left her position as shop manager to pursue a career with the NHS and we would all like to thank Lee Anne

for her length of service both pre and post the community take-over. We all wish Lee Anne every success in the future in her new

job.

Enter stage left Paula Morgan our new manager. Paula has hit the floor running, and changes have been fast and furious. The

shop has added some different aspects to its portfolio. A new coffee machine is now seeing, bean to cup coffee, along with a

variety of other drinks at a modest £1.90 per cup.

The smell of coffee in the shop is only surpassed by the smell of fresh bread pastries and savouries. We have a new bakery on the

premises, now in its 4th Week. White River trading is proud to offer the community baguettes, Artisan breads, sausage rolls,

Danish pastries etc, all at reasonable prices.

We also have a new range of sandwiches and filled rolls from a supplier who comes in twice a week from Tain.

We are trying hard to provide locally sourced food to enhance the offering of the shop and we hope you are noticing the difference,

The staff are even modelling community shop bibs which, we hope contributes to the "we are in this together feeling" and

community spirit

We welcome Barbara into her new role in supporting Mags and Paula.

There will be new initiatives for the shop that we hope will make the local shop more appealing and welcoming in the coming

months.

Unfortunately the shop has reluctantly decided to stop trading on Sundays. This is due to a lack of personnel and volunteers to run

the shop at the weekends. The current staff are flat out and it is neither prudent or viable to exhaust our valuable new team without

support. We hope the community understand. If anyone wishes to volunteer please contact Paula Morgan at the shop. Volunteering

can be just a few hours now and again and is invaluable at times of staff holidays/sickness. Full training is given.

Two recent events have had their effect on the shop; namely:-

The shop was closed for three days due to a robbery and break in which resulted in loss of monies and damage to

equipment. Thankfully we are insured! The staff handled this upsetting event with poise and dignity. Well done to all and

thanks for the support to members of the community, who helped. We are also grateful to the police and the

apprehension of the culprits.

The ongoing inability to deliver a dependable community Post Office service. For some weeks the post office has failed to

appear or operate to meet with our requirements. We have now escalated the matter with a meeting with our MP; Drew

Hendry. He has undertaken to establish why the service has not been to the expected service levels and advise us on

how we can secure a reasonable service.

Please remember it’s your shop and its success depends on you.

Thank you for your support

White River Trading Charles Morgan Chief Operating Officer (COO) Strathdearn Community Developments Company No: SC462621 Charity No: SC044487 Registered Address: Strathdearn Village Hall, Tomatin, Inverness-shire, IV13 7YN

COMMUNITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS – FUTURE OF YOUR CC

Following on from the piece in the last edition of the Newsletter, some interest was expressed by two or three people in possibly standing for election this autumn. This is good news, and I hope all they all follow through with their nominations at the appropriate time – which will be well advertised! As said previously, the community needs a Community Council – to partner Strathdearn Community Developments in the Strathdearn Community Plan (which may need a little refreshing soon); to act as the community’s voice on planning applications; to facilitate grant applications to the Strathdearn Community Charitable Trust by providing a public platform for these to be discussed before a recommendation is sent to the Trust by the CC on the approval or otherwise of the applications – to name but three of our functions. It would also be really good to get some younger people involved – perhaps some of the young parents who contribute to the discussions on the Strathdearn Facebook page – and who make some really good points. We need fresh ideas with fresh faces to match! - which is not to say older people can’t also stand for election. Many of them also have experience and expertise to share! Really, the most effective CC is one which is representative of its community – with older people, younger people, community minded activists, and others with technical, legal, or financial know-how! Especially welcome are people who can work with others, and who care about their community. People who know how to run meetings are needed – someone has to be the Chair! - as well as people who like contributing to meetings – who aren’t shy about taking up issues, without hogging the agenda and speaking so much others can’t get a word in! And if you don’t know about meetings, don’t worry, you soon will! Seriously, there is a lot of help and advice available from the Council on running meetings, planning, etc. Our Ward Manager is also very approachable and helpful – as are our Highland Councillors. So if you think this is something you could take on to do your bit for the community, but are just a bit hesitant to take it further – don’t be – give it a shot. Community work can be frustrating sometimes – but it can also be very rewarding – and volunteering for your community can also look good on your C.V! If you e-mail our Secretary – strathdearncc@hotmail.com – and ask her to send you the Minutes and Agendas for the meetings, she will – and to give you more of a flavour of what the CC does, I’ve given you an example of a couple of things which are coming up at our meeting on Tuesday, followed by our Annual Report from our last AGM. Good luck with your nomination forms! Up for discussion at our August meeting..... Ragwort Horrible poisonous weed which spreads like wildfire, growing in abundance again this year on the verges all through Tomatin and on the bit of waste ground between the school and old post office. It’s really, really hard to get rid of. and has to be sprayed or pulled before it goes to seed otherwise waste of time. The seeds just spread it worse! Whose responsibility is it to tackle the ragwort? The community’s? But spraying or pulling could be expensive and/or labour intensive for the community to tackle on its own. Landowners can apparently be heavily fined for not taking action to kill it off. Is it their responsibility? Or could this problem be tackled by some sort of joint action? And if so, by which parties? This is on the agenda of the next CC Meeting on 6th August. Stone Dyking We have some beautiful old stone dyking throughout the village – some of it in need of some TLC! The question has been asked whether this could be tidied up – spend a bit of money on what we have? and that’s also on the agenda of Tuesday’s CC Meeting. (Please note, the item on wood extraction from Glenkirk has been postponed until the September meeting).

...... and extracted from our Annual Report from this year’s AGM in April .....

STRATHDEARN COMMUNITY COUNCIL - ANNUAL REPORT 2019

The Community Council has continued to meet monthly in the Strathdearn Hall, except for the month of July, when

we take a break. Our Agendas are full and cover a fair variety of subjects. Major planning applications continue to

feature, such as the Braemore Development on the old Freeburn Hotel site and the Dualling of the A9. I am grateful

for Duncan’s continuing help with planning matters; and to our Ward Manager, our four Highland Councillors and our

Community Police Officer - and others who deputise for her sometimes, and also my fellow community councillors,

and our Treasurer, for all their help too.

Other matters over the past year have included:

Getting the flood prevention measures in place to protect the riverbank at Dalarossie from further erosion,

with thanks to the Strathdearn Community Charitable Trust and the Highland Council for jointly funding this.

Welcoming Maureen Mcdonald-Cooke and Davie Cameron as co-opted community councillors in June. Both

settled into their new roles well, and I would like to thank them both for the contribution they make to the

work of the CC. Maureen became our representative on the Board of SCD Ltd, and has also taken the lead, in

conjunction with SCD Ltd, the Tomatin Estate and the Highlands Small Communities Housing Trust, on plans

to develop some long-awaited affordable housing.

And we have been enjoying, if not quite a twinning, then a growing friendship with the rural farming

community of Waltersburg in Bavaria. Letters and cards have been exchanged (with thanks to Rosemary

Dempster for translating our efforts into German) – and a planned visit from some of the Waltersburg folks is

due to take place this Easter weekend. Our thanks to Councillor Gowans, Maureen and Lee-Anne for the

work they have each done to bring this about, as well as SCD Ltd for their support.

Our biggest concern at the moment, however, is the future of the Community Council following this November’s

elections.

(Thanks were given and tributes paid to Mrs Ann Glynne-Percy, a very dedicated community councillor and an

authority on local history and archaeology,, on her well earned retirement from the Community Council; – as well as

to Mr John Cameron-Mackintosh – for well over 40 years’ steadfast and diligent service to the Community Council

including sterling service as our Road Safety Contact; - to Mr Edward Usborne, until recently lead negotiator for

windfarm community benefit, a member of several windfarm and substation Community Liaison Groups, and a

supportive and helpful Vice-Chair who also served the Community Council very well; - and finally Mr Steve

MacLennan, a hard-working community councillor who helped to organise the Pop-Up Pub; and initiated and

organised, along with his wife Mary, two very successful Fun-Days, whilst also representing us on the Inverness

Community Councils Forum.)

We need to work hard over these months to encourage others to stand for election in November. It would be most

unfortunate were the Community Council to fold. I have written an article for the Newsletter and website, flagging up

the problem in more detail, as well as the benefits of having a Community Council. Hopefully some community-

minded Strathdearn citizens will come forward to keep the CC going, and I wish the Community Council well in

future.

Vivian Roden

Chair 16 April 2019

Alan Watson was invited to attend a ceremony at Bussy-la-Cote, a little town near the Belgian border,

where his uncle, Cecil John Watson, is buried. He was one of the crew of a Lancaster bomber which was

shot down and crashed in 1944, with the loss of the seven crew.

It was a very moving ceremony, attended by the mayor and citizens of the town. Alan unveiled a plaque at

the crash site commemorating the sad event and placed a wreath at the graves. He was given a wonderful

welcome by the community and was glad to be able to represent the families of the young men who gave

their lives for freedom

Tomatin Community Shop.

Progress continues to be made at the Village shop, a lifeline service for the Strathdearn Community.

Lee Anne Cornwall has left her position as shop manager to pursue a career with the NHS and we would all like to thank Lee Anne for

her length of service both pre and post the community take­over. We all wish Lee Anne every success in the future in her new job.

Enter stage left Paula Morgan our new manager. Paula has hit the floor running, and changes have been fast and furious. The shop

has added some different aspects to its portfolio. A new coffee machine is now seeing, bean to cup coffee, along with a variety of other

drinks at a modest £1.90 per cup.

The smell of coffee in the shop is only surpassed by the smell of fresh bread pastries and savouries. We have a new bakery on the

premises, now in its 4th Week. White River trading is proud to offer the community baguettes, Artisan breads, sausage rolls, Danish

pastries etc, all at reasonable prices.

We also have a new range of sandwiches and filled rolls from a supplier who comes in twice a week from Tain.

We are trying hard to provide locally sourced food to enhance the offering of the shop and we hope you are noticing the difference,

The staff are even modelling community shop bibs which, we hope contributes to the "we are in this together feeling" and community

spirit

We welcome Barbara into her new role in supporting Mags and Paula.

There will be new initiatives for the shop that we hope will make the local shop more appealing and welcoming in the coming months.

Unfortunately the shop has reluctantly decided to stop trading on Sundays. This is due to a lack of personnel and volunteers to run the

shop at the weekends. The current staff are flat out and it is neither prudent or viable to exhaust our valuable new team without support.

We hope the community understand. If anyone wishes to volunteer please contact Paula Morgan at the shop. Volunteering can be just a

few hours now and again and is invaluable at times of staff holidays/sickness. Full training is given.

Two recent events have had their effect on the shop; namely:­

(1) The shop was closed for three days due to a robbery and break in which resulted in loss of monies and damage to equipment.

Thankfully we are insured! The staff handled this upsetting event with poise and dignity. Well done to all and thanks for the support to

members of the community, who helped. We are also grateful to the police and the apprehension of the culprits.

(2) The ongoing inability to deliver a dependable community Post Office service (see elsewhere in this report for details).

Please remember it's your shop and its success depends on you. Thank you for your support.

White River Trading [CM]

Affordable Housing

SCD commissioned a site survey of the

land beside the railway bridge, opposite the

green church. The survey has been

completed and we are expecting the report

on the 29th July 2019. This will provide us

with important information as to the next

steps and the viability for the community to

take this particular project forward or not.

We have other pieces of the jigsaw in

place such as the application has been

submitted to the Rural Housing Fund,

Highland Council have funded the site

survey work and we are working with

Tomatin Estate ( the landowner) to keep

things moving ...

SCD is also considering another

proposal in Millview, but this is very early

stages and we area awaiting a final report

on financial and specification adjustment to

be able to appraise whether this is also

viable.

Drew Hendry who visited for the

purposes of hearing our issues with the

outreach post office service also stated he

would assist us where possible to bring

appropriate new affordable housing to the

strathdearn area. [MM­C]

Outreach Post Office service

Access to Post Office services is essential for a

rural community such as ours. Some residents have no

other way to access their pensions or savings. Local

mail order businesses need to post parcels which won't

fit in the Royal Mail letterbox, and to use registered

post or other services only available through the PO.

Many use it to pay their utility bills and top up

prepayment cards.

Since Tomatin lost its own post office several years

ago, we have had to rely on a one­morning­a­week

Outreach service coming from Aviemore and operating

out of Tomatin Community Shop. Regular users are

aware how unreliable the service can be. There was a

period of 7 weeks last year when we had no service at all.

The technical issues were solved and a sporadic service

was resumed until recently it has almost totally broken down

again, with partial or no service for 5 weeks.

At the urging of a concerned resident a meeting was

arranged for Drew Hendry MSP to discuss the issue with several affected members of the

community and representatives of the council and development board.

The immediate problem identified was getting a reliable service for Thursday mornings

with some back up provision for times of illness, car breakdown, etc. If this problem could

be solved, more thought and planning could be put into longer term solutions. Various ideas

were discussed, and everyone had their say. Drew was in no doubt about the strong

feelings of residents and the urgency of the matter.

Drew's office are to arrange a further meeting with someone senior from the Post Office,

and he's willing to be involved himself. It was felt that the meeting had been very positive.

SCD hold regular meetings in Strathdearn Millennium Hall starting at 7.00pm. All are

welcome, nay encouraged, to attend. Next dates are 22nd August and 19th September.

Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan

People tend to be disinterested in Local Plans until, often late in the day, they see

proposals for lorry parks, waste disposal or multiple housing on their doorstep. The Inner

Moray Firth Local Development Plan or IMFLDP sets out where future developments in

and around Inverness, including Strathdearn, might go.

Highland Council recently consulted on a new 10­year IMFLDP – first stage responses

closed at the end of July – on new development sites, settlement plans and core paths.

SCD have sought an extended period to reply on questions such as ‘Should Moy seek

Growing Settlement status?’ Meantime comments on development sites and core paths

contained in the existing LDP have been submitted.[DB]

The “Hub” Construction

Since the last publication of the

Starthdearn Newsletter a significant amount

of work has been undertaken by Compass

both on the external aspects to integrate it

into the surroundings and the existing

infrastructure and the internals where the

shear size of the building has become more

apparent.

As can be expected, Compass and the

SCD have been faced with a number of

unforeseen challenges that have led to

delays and changes; these have included

developing a new surface water drainage

system for the sports facility as the existing

soakaway was extensively choked, power

upgrades to facilitate the car charging

points, etc. Given the scale of the

construction, it is a credit to Compass that

they have managed to maintain access to

the Millennium Hall for user groups. I will not

dwell on the construction as the Clerk of

Works Reports are published each week on

the website for everyone to read and make

comment on.

It is anticipated that we will have a “soft

opening” of the new “Hub” during late

Autumn. This will enable us to close the

Millennium Hall and proceed with the

structural changes that will accommodate

the shop and café / restaurant. It is further

anticipated that an official opening will take

place in Spring 2020. That is not to say that

the “Hub” cannot be used for events, in fact

we have engaged a marketing consultant to

assist Charles Morgan in his new role of

Chief Operating Officer to develop a

Business and Marketing Plan that will enable

use to sell our facilities both within and

outwith the community. We are therefore

interested in delivering a venue that can be

used for a range of activities from weddings,

ceilidhs, parties, etc. to corporate meetings

and the obvious user groups that wish to

play badminton, youth groups, etc.

The marketing consultant is also being

charged with resolving the name issue. A

number of potential names have been put

forward and received with differing levels of

acceptability. It is also fair to say that there

have been some contentious submissions.

However we are mindful that we need to

build the brand to ensure that we become a

destination and not just the little community

that is renown world wide for its whisky but

bypassed by travellers on their way south.

Further information on how the name is to

be chosen will emerge over the coming

weeks.

It should also be noted that, as part of

the marketing strategy, the SCD are looking

at a promotional video highlighting the

benefits of the area. As a start drone footage

is to be filmed at the forthcoming Moy Game

Fair. [SF]drawings have now been prepared and we

are about to engage with the Highland

Council to seek planning for the

development.

Following requests from the community

in Tomatin and Moy, the SCD have

Income and Expenditure over the last three months

Over the last three months the SCD been engaged with agencies in seeking and

successfully obtaining grant from several new sources of funding, including:­

Regeneration Capital Grant Fund For the Hub Construction : £500,000

Transport Scotland For vehicle charging points : £42,850

Notwithstanding this expenditure, SCD funds remain healthy and available for any new

projects that can provide community benefit. [SF]

Charles Morgan – Man of the Moment

Over the last few years Charles Morgan has been employed as a business

management consultant in the role of the SCD Business Development Officer. In this role

he has successfully secured funding from many bodies and been pivotal in ensuring that

sufficient funds were available for projects in the Strathdearn area. His negotiating skills

were central to obtaining advance funding from several of the wind farm operators that has

since enabled us to amass sufficient money to commence the construction of the Hub.

These skills have not only been recognised by the SCD but also by some our benefactors

who have specifically requested that Charles continue to be involved with the project to

ensure its success. Consequently the SCD are delighted to announce that Charles has

accepted the offer of becoming an SCD employee in the role of Chief Operating Officer

(COO). In this role he has been charged with the:­

• day to day management of all the SCD and White River Trading assets (shop, Café, Hub

and sports facilities);

• developing a Business and Marketing Plan that will ensure that the facilities are used to

their capacity;

• manage the staff;

• promote and market the Hub and its facilities as an events venue.

Charles will also retain some of his existing business development duties as it is

essential that we utilise his business acumen to the maximum. We all wish Charles well in

his new role; as the SCD success depends largely on his ability to deliver to build our

future. [SF]

Caintech have kindly provided survey

and engineering services to SCD to explore

the construction of a children’s play area to

the south of Mill View Road. Colin Glyn

Percy of Tomatin Estates has given his

support to the initiative and is prepared to

rent the ground to SCD. The outline

commissioned an architect to design

replacement bus shelters that are more in

keeping with the area. The outline design

has been approved and we hope to begin

construction over the coming months.

Odds & Ends

1

The Church of Scotland

Parish of Moy, Dalarossie & Tomatin

linked with Daviot & Dunlichity

(Scottish Charity No SC015653)

Rev Robert E Brookes, Interim Moderator

T: 01667 404686

SUNDAY SERVICES AUGUST:

11th

Strathdearn Hall, Tomatin @ 10.30am . Donations for the Foodbank accepted at this Service. Tea and

Coffee afterwards.

18th

Dalarossie Church @ 10.30am

25th

Dalarossie Church @ 10.30am*

*Please note change of venue – Service now at Dalarossie because of the Art Exhibition in the Strathdearn Hall.

SEPTEMBER:

1ST

Dalarossie Church @ 10.30 am.

8th

Strathdearn Hall @ 10.30 am. Donations for the Foodbank accepted at this Service. Tea and Coffee

afterwards.

15th

Dalarossie Church @ 10.30am. Guild Dedication Service.

22nd

Strathdearn Hall at 10.30 am Tea and Coffee afterwards.

29th

Strathdearn Hall at 10.30 am. Tea and Coffee afterwards.

OCTOBER:

6th

Dalarossie Church @ 10.30 am.

13th

Strathdearn Hall @ 10.30 am. Harvest Thanksgiving with Rev Robert Brookes. Donations for the Foodbank

accepted at this Service. Tea and Coffee afterwards.

20th

Dalarossie Church @ 10.30 am.

27th

Strathdearn Hall @ 10.30 am. Tea and Coffee after the Service.

NOVEMBER:

3rd

Dalarossie Church @ 11 am. Joint Communion Service with Daviot & Dunlichity with Rev Robert Brookes.

10th

Remembrance Sunday All Age Worship @ The Strathdearn Hall @ 10.30 am with Rev F Bart Buell. Tea and

Coffee afterwards.

Service at the Strathdearn War Memorial @ 3 pm with Rev Robert Brookes.

OTHER SERVICES & EVENTS:

Saturday, 24th

August: Joint Songs of Praise Service with Daviot & Dunlichity @ Dalarossie

Church @ 3pm, followed by a Picnic.

Tuesday, 24th

September: Faith Service @ Daviot Church @ 7 pm.

THE GUILD:

Meets on the second Wednesday of each month from September – April (inclusive) usually in the Strathdearn Hall,

for fellowship and a varied programme of talks from interesting speakers. But there’s more to the Guild than tea and

talk!

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. Locally, our Guild plays its part by raising money for

the projects, two of which we usually support each year. The projects for 2018 – 2022 are:

Faith in Young People – supporting The Boys’ Brigade – a volunteer-led youth organisation, which provides youth

work to the Christian Church. Founded by Sir William Smith in Glasgow in 1883, we provide a space and place where

children and young people can learn, grow and discover. The Boys’ Brigade are committed to ensuring lives are

2

enriched by helping children and young people reach their full potential by providing opportunities to meet together

and engage in a range of fun and developmental activities and experiences.

We are committed to ensuring lives are enriched by helping children and young people reach their full potential by

providing opportunities to meet together and engage in a range of fun and developmental activities and experiences.

Malawi Fruits is a Scottish Christian Charity committed to working in Malawi to

support young farmers in the North of the country with the aim of lifting hundreds of small-scale farmers out of

poverty, seizing opportunities to bring great help through irrigation and crop processing.

Seema’s Project - Seema's project began initially in 2014 with the aim of building a home for abandoned street

children from the red-light district of the city of Pune, India, and to build a rehabilitation centre for rescued victims of

the sex industry.

With the support of the Guild, Seema’s Project will develop their project further by rescuing more children and some

of the trafficked women, and introducing a feeding programme to support the children and encourage them back into

education.

A Chaplain for our Ports – The Sailors’ Society is an international Christian charity working in ports across the world.

Together with the support of the Scottish Guild, they aim to transform lives through bringing hope and comfort to

seafarers arriving at our ports. Chaplains help seafarers and their families, from all faiths and none, with welfare and

practical support, visiting ships in ports and talking with seafarers away from home for up to a year at a time; helping

them get in touch with loved ones and access medical treatment; and liaising with frightened families when seafarers

are kidnapped by terrorists or imprisoned, mostly through no fault of their own. They also build homes and schools,

and provide grants to bring hope and security to seafaring communities.

Journeying Together - Journeying Together helps teenage mums in Kanyama, a high density area of Lusaka in Zambia,

where lack of proper drainage and sanitation means that during the rainy season severe flooding hits the community

and the risk of disease, such as cholera and dysentery, is much higher. Small babies and children are at risk,

particularly when their mothers are young girls who have little knowledge in parenting skills. The Journeying Together

project seeks to change this by providing mentoring and support for young mothers who are encouraged and

supported to complete their education, or to take the option of vocational training.

Join Up The Dots - CrossReach is the social care arm of the Church of Scotland and CrossReach’s Join up the Dots

project is a collaborative partnership between CrossReach and the Guild to tackle the problems of loneliness and

social isolation in Scotland. Through their work nationally in Scotland across all age ranges and segments of society,

CrossReach comes across problems of loneliness and isolation and their effects on people’s physical and mental

wellbeing. They know that Guild members too encounter these problems, and so Crossreach and the Guild will share

their experience of lived stories of isolation and loneliness, expose these problems, and together provide solutions for

them.

For further information about our meetings, etc. please phone May on 01808 511448.

MESSY CHURCH

There is to be A BARBEQUE, kindly hosted by Dr and Mrs Richard Cooling at their home at The Old Manse, Moy, on

Sunday 18th

August, from 4pm – 6pm. All welcome.

And our new Session of Messy Church starts on Sunday 1st

September, in the Strathdearn Hall, from 4 -6 pm – with

our usual blend of crafts, Bible Time, Food and Fun!

Please note we are moving to the FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH. For further information please phone Vivian on

01808 511355.

ALL WELCOME AT ANY OR ALL OF OUR SERVICES OR ACTIVITIES – WHETHER YOU GO TO CHURCH – OR NOT

MOY MATTERS (7)

Progress to date:

1. Tidying up of footpath: McGowans now have a maintenance contract for the path and will shortly carry

out some weedkilling along the grass verge as well as general tidying of the verges.

2. Tidying up the path around Moy Loch (Birch walk): the tender for this work has gone out and the

committee awaits responses from interested parties.

3. New signs for Moy: the new signs should be completed by the autumn.

4. Meeting place: As sightlines are critical for the site earmarked, a topographical survey needs to be

carried out which would accurately identify the position of the walls/fences of the adjacent houses and

the exact line of the road. We may also have to carry out a speed survey. This work is being overseen by

Bell Ingram.

5. 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. There are already

photos from our litter pick on the page.

6. Planters: Can we ask that everyone keeps a regular check on the planters and the plants, especially in

this dry weather, and if ever there is a problem please let us know.

Thank you to Sharon Cameron for cutting the grass around the planters at the north end of the village,

what a difference it has made. We will need to get something in place for the cutting of grass around

the planters.

7. Speed through Moy: Committee members feel that there needs to be a reduction in speed through Moy

particularly as several ‘near misses’ have been reported to us. Our committee member Davie has

brought this up with the Community Council and we hope progress will be forthcoming. This will take

time.

8. Wind Farm Income: Overall the Strathdearn Development Company (SCD) has sufficient reserves to

finish the construction of the hub, whilst still being able to proceed with new projects. In addition to

the general monies, the following specific financial allocations has been made within the budget for the

next 12 months to enable Moy projects to proceed immediately as they become ready for construction /

delivery:-

a. £250,000 for the purchase of land and construction of the meeting place;

b. £15,000 for the construction of the Moy Loch (Birch walk) path;

c. £8,500 for the purchase and installation of the “Moy” Entry roadside signs;

d. £2,500 for the construction of a new bus shelter;

e. £40,000 for none specific quick win projects. A list of potential projects has been compiled by

the Moy Sub-Committee and background work is currently ongoing to determine where and when

this money can be best spent to the community advantage.

f. In addition the £80,000 broadband allocation remains intact, as we understand that Open Reach

have been trying to secure alternative funding through the Scottish Government. Should they

be successful, then this money can be re-allocated to other project work.

Whilst the SCD have been hampered with the need to pay and reclaim VAT of the hub construction

work, overall our financial situation is secure. The SCD has also negotiated an advance payment on the

Tom Na-Clach windfarm income. This means that in July 2020 a lump sum of £260,000 will be received

for use on community benefit across the area. We are keen to identify any potential projects for Moy.

The Moy Sub-Committee has its own folder in the Document library on the Strathdearn community

website where you can keep up to date with the minutes of meetings, background documents and the latest

reports.

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, marian.hendry@talk21.com), Iain Macdonald (Vice Chair), Alastair Fraser, Davie Cameron, John

Clarke, Jimmy Duncan.

TOMATIN DISTILLERY’S OLDEST RELEASE TOUCHES DOWN IN AMSTERDAM

Tomatin, the award-winning Highland whisky distillery has announced its oldest expression will be on display in Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, with Schiphol Airport Retail, a joint venture between the travel retailer Gebr. Heinemann and the Royal Schiphol Group. The whisky will be available exclusively at the airport’s “Exquisite Shop”, a unique destination for the finest wine, spirits and cigars. Following 50 years of maturation at the distillery, the deep-honey coloured expression has been bottled in its most natural form, yielding just 70 special bottles at 45.3% abv, and was released in December 2018 retailing at several thousand pounds. The whisky, finished in a first fill Oloroso Sherry Butt, cask number 35817, is encased within an individually numbered, handblown Glencairn crystal decanter. The decanter is luxuriously presented within a striking Italian crafted wooden box, furnished with soft, premium Italian leather. Sealed with a wooden transit cork, an engraved, solid brass gold-plated and glass stopper is also provided. Each box comes with an individually-numbered book, hand-signed by Distillery Manager, Graham Eunson. Finally, a premium leather carry bag completes the presentation. Tomatin have spent the last few years voyaging into the world of duty free, having launched a series of new and exclusive whiskies, available now in airports across Europe. The age statement collection comprises the distillery’s flagship 12 year old and three travel retail exclusive editions: an 8 year old, a 15 year old and a rare 40 year old vintage. The Travel Retail range recently swept the board at the San Francisco World Spirit competition, taking home three double golds and one gold award. Graham Nicolson, Sales Director of Tomatin Distillery has said: “It is with great pleasure that we announce the arrival of our oldest expression – the Tomatin 50 Year Old – to Schiphol Airport. This special expression has been quietly resting for half a century and it will be wonderful to see it presented in all its glory within Schiphol Airport Retail’s travel retail space.” The distillery will continue to work with Rudy Leentjes, the owner of Rumesco Agencies, an experienced travel retail

company, to roll out the product and brand strategy across the world.

Rhoann’s Recipes

Grandpa’s Chicken

This is an easy recipe which can be easily stretched!

1 chicken breast per person, either cut into strips or chunks(depending on your

preference)

1 large onion sliced thinly

1 clove garlic crushed

200g mushrooms (white or brown) chopped

1 jar red pesto

1 300g tub of creme fraiche (if serving more than 4 persons use 2nd tub)

Sauté onions and garlic until softened, add chicken pieces and mushrooms. Cook gently

for about 10 mins then add pesto and stir through the creme fraiche. Simmer for about

another 19 mins. Serve with new potatoes.

Enjoy!

Tomatin is “twinned” with the village of Waltersberg in Bavaria (Germany). Here is a letter

that they sent us back in the Spring.

Hallo Tomatin! Waltersberg, March 2019

The winter has now passed and the spring has taken over. And the first daffodil and crocus flowers are blooming in Waltersberg.

Not long now and the whole village will be in full blossom. And the meadows surrounding Waltersberg will shine in a wonderful

green.

The winter this year brought us a lot of snow and the kids had great fun at the village slopes with the sledges. And of course

some of the parents also had fun sledging down the hillside.

An old tradition in Bavaria (and other parts of Germany) is the so called fifth season. And it’s called “Fasching“ (carnival) and is

celebrated mainly from January till February. In the old tradition the winter was driven out. The people would dress-up colourful

and wear bizarre masks and then run screaming and gesturing wildly through the streets, casting out the winter and making

room for the spring.

We don’t celebrate after the old tradition quite the same anymore in Waltersberg, but we still haven’t forgotten how to cele-

brate carnival. Here are some of our different events at the beginning of the year.

The first event is the so called “children’s carnival“, celebrated by the kindergarten and primary school kids in the rectory in

Waltersberg with the parents. Lots of games for the children (and parents) are played. The fun session starts with a polonaise

and other fun loving community games follow. The kids compete against each other while playing musical chair or just enjoy

themselves with singing or dancing games. There are homemade cakes, sausage rolls and different types of drinks for the physi-

cal well-being. It was a successful afternoon, organised by some of the parents.

Of course the older kids want to celebrate a carnival party, too. Though we have a “teeny carnival” for the kids aged ten to fif-

teen. Here the village and neighbouring teenagers have a turbulent evening. With lots of games and dancing, were the fun al-

ways comes first. Of course there is great food and drinks served, like traditional you would have, at a Bavarian party. Also dif-

ferent kind of sandwiches, cocktails and sorted non-alcoholic drinks was on offer. It was already past 10 PM, when the kids

started to go home. They all agreed there should be another teenager carnival party next year in Waltersberg.

You think we are done with the celebrations, wrong. The seniors want to celebrate carnival every year also. For this the villagers

age 60 and older meet in the rectory for a colourful afternoon carnival. Also for their entertainment, some of the kids practised a

few pantomimes and or funny sketches. This afternoon was filled with the laughter of the young by heart. This event is orga-

nized by the village parish council.

Following the old tradition, the dressed-up children out of the village go from house to house on the last day of carnival. Stop-

ping at every door and singing a song or saying a poem. The owners reward them with sweets or money for this. Similar to your

Hallowe’en.

We have a lot of school kids in Waltersberg. Starting at 5th

grade, they learn English at school. So it came to our mind or shall we

say we had this idea, that maybe our kids from the age of 11 start a letter friendship (or email). Our kids are open-minded about

it, that’s why we ask this question. Do you think that would be of interest to your youth?

Best regards to all in Tomatin, most of all to Lee-Anne and Vivian.

A hearty “Servus”

Angela Sippl

(translated by Gerd Miesbauer)

members of the TWT-Team (Tomatin-Waltersberg-Twinning-Team):

Angela Sippl, Claudia Schneider, Nicole and Matthew Röder also Gerd Miesbauer “Translator”

Johann Schrafl, “Town speaker”

From the archive:

THE MACBEAN MEMORIAL

This is situated on a level area of land above the wood by the Primary School – near what was known as Tigh na Craig

in the past, though only turf-covered boundary walls can be seen now.

The memorial is a polished marble cross on a rough-hewn granite base, surrounded by decorative railings on a low

wall footing. There are four copper beech trees standing sentinel at the corners nearby, but these have been badly

barked by deer and unfortunately may not survive much longer. In Springtime there are wild primroses flowering

within the enclosure.

The wording on the memorial reads:

Thy will be done

Lt. Col William Macbean

Of Tomatin

Late of the 22nd

& 1st

West India Regiment

Died at San Martino Lantosga – Maritime Alps

3rd

August 1879 aged 47 yrs.

“and so He bringeth them unto the Haven where they would be”.

He was married to Giovanna, daughter of the Vice Consul of Leghorn in Italy, but they had no children and the estate

passed to his nephew Lachlan Macbean. Colonel William was greatly appreciative of his Tomatin property and did

much to modernise and improve it, as well as planting many trees. Buildings that benefited from his interest

included the old Freeburn Hotel, the Stores and Porters Lodge; and Sandside Cottage was built in his time, in 1864.

The contractors were Peter and Colin Ross, who lived at the Carding Mill.

When Colonel Macbean died, he requested to be buried on the hillside looking towards his beloved home ground

and “out of sight of road and rail”. This was a sad irony, as no one was to know that the Highland Railway would

pass so near his resting place within twenty years.

Ann Glynne-Percy 2005.

Tomatin Firewood - Strathdearn Prices Phone James: 07527 883 606, Email: tomatinfirewood@gmail.com, 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

Ecoblasze RUF (10kg packet) Nestro (10kg Packet)

1 Pack (10kg) £3.5 1 Pack (10kg) £4 10 Packs (100KG) £30 10 Packs (100KG) £37.50

48 Packs £160 48 Packs £190

96 Packs (1Pallet) £265 96 Packs (1Pallet) £300

Woodlets Pellets (BSL authorised Trader)

20 bags - £75 49 bags £175

98 bags (full pallet) - £285 196 bags (2 full pallets) - £540

Dry Kindling Bagged Firewood

Large sack of kindling- £7.5 or 5 for £35 Softwood - £4 or 10 for £35

Standard bag of kindling £4 Hardwood - £5.5 or 10 for £50

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 House Coal - £65

10 x 20kg sack of Doubles Coal - £55

8 x 25kg sack of Premium House Coal (with chunkier bits of coal) - £70

8 x 25kg sack of Burnwell Ovoids - £70

8 x 25kg sack of Anthracite - £80 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) £365