West End : March 2012

Issue 64

March 2012 West End Edition Free Magazine

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Inside : Aberdeen City Residents Discount Scheme

West End gazette

23 March 2012 - for April Issue

thru the door at : Airyhall, Ashley, Bieldside, Braeside, Broomhill, Countesswells, Craigiebuckler, Cults , Holburn, Kepplestone Houses, Mannofield, Morningside, Queens Cross, Rubislaw, Seafield, Viewfield, Woodland at Pitfodels, Woodend

publisher/owner : Sue Simpson

Deeside gazette

delivered to : 11800 West End Homes 200 City Businesses deadlines :

All enquiries : tel : 318561 mob : 07813 964 875 email : gazette@fsmail.net

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delivered to : Drumoak, Banchory, Torphins and Aboyne Drop offs in Peterculter and Kincardine O Neil contact details : as above deadlines : as above

Ad-hoc contributions from : James Baggott; Pippa Greenwood, Fred Lane, Jane Robinson Advertising Sales : Sue Simpson : 01224 - 318561

Distribution - thanks to : Dougie; Anne; Mark; Sue; Ashley; Carol; Caroline; Gregor; Stuart; Jodi; Cameron; Kate; Sarah; Fraser; Laura; Freya; David; Elise; Maureen & Raymond; Bessie; Vanessa; Lauren; Sophie; Mary, Rebecca and Benjamin

Disclaimer : Whilst we’d be flattered if you would like to

borrow something from the gazette be polite and ask first!

Thank you. We try our hardest to ensure accuracy of editorial content but no responsibility can be taken for any errors and/ or omissions. The views expressed within the gazette are not necessarily those of the publisher or advertisers. When replying to offers, competitions and other correspondence, we would strongly recommend that you check published information with each organisation beforehand. We thank you for taking the time to read the small print. All artwork is accepted on strict condition that permission has been given for use in this publication.

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Therapist’s Room Available to Rent

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Well as I write this editorial we have been basking in 16 degree temperatures in February! It was lovely to open the door this morning and feel warmth, I could get very used to this.

Anyway, how are you all? My 2012 has not had the best of starts. My family, not myself I hasten to add, have been struck down with horrible bugs from flu, colds, sickness and ending in Pneumonia and Glandular Fever – it is lovely to see the family rally round to help though.

My niece has been excellent at entertaining my two baby nephews whilst my sister is on a long slow road to recovery. I have just been juggling and running around like a headless chicken!

I really, really appreciate being healthy. I do put it down to my new found exercise regime and what was a healthier diet which unfortunately has slipped a little since Christmas! Tai Chi has certainly helped to align my body and find my inner self – along with my dance classes and not forgetting my zumba!

Alas, February ended on a sad note as my grandmother passed away. She did have a good, long life as she was the ripe old age of 92! She had three children, four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren! Not sure I want to live quite that long. We were just totting up all the different things that she had experienced in that time- from living through the war; seeing

her husband lost in action and bringing up three children on her own. Technology was the biggest improvement. From no television to flat screen, hd, 3d – everybody owning a car, sometimes more than one! When she got a phone you had to walk to answer it and how she had wanted a tiny eeny weenie mobile phone. Microwaves; washing machines; tumble driers; dishwashers; toasters and electrical kitchen gadgets of every description!

British Telecom your shares will go down now as her parting gift to us was a phone bill of £450 with a total of 1900 phone calls – she really needed assurance that people were there for her.

Getting this magazine to print has been a challenge but one I succeeded in and I do hope you enjoy it. We do have quite a few local articles this time and lots of new fun classes for you to embark on as spring is on its way. Happy Mother’s Day when it comes – although you shouldn’t need a special day to give your mum a hug! (Fingers crossed for a long lie and breakfast in bed and a lovely homemade card.)

Huge excitement too as Dirty Dancing hits Aberdeen - got my tickets and looking forward to seeing it again!

As per usual, go grab that cuppa and enjoy the March issue of the gazette – until next month.

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Future Choices is a local

disabled charity which helps disabled people accross the city get social inclusion.

Social activities is at the heart of the work the charity provides. David Forbes, Treasurer for the charity has launched an appeal called "Cash for Cans", this involves asking members of the public to donate their empty/undamaged drink cans to the

charity, and the charity then exchanges the cans for cash.

The money raised will buy a disabled friendly mini bus, which will strengthen the work that the charity does already as transport is a huge hurdle to get people out and about to gatherings etc, which puts a huge strain on the charities day to day costs. So far we have raised over ÂŁ100 and have cashed in on over 3,500 cans. We have got many many supporters including politicians, Aberdeen College Student Association, local distribution company Door Drop Distribution, Ferryhill primary school and many more.

Anyone wishing to help with this appeal should contact David Forbes, 07821700046 or go to Facebook.com / Aberdeen Charity. Take a look at the Appeal video on You Tube by going to Cash For Cans Appeal.

Children's craft decorating activities.

All ages welcome - including the grown ups.

Open every Saturday 1-4pm (Nov - March) 1-5pm (March - Nov) We have a variation of fun and quirky crafts for you to decorate. A chance to allow you and your children to relax and enjoy a friendly and creative environment.

Lots of funky acrylic paints including, fabric paints, neon colours, glow in the dark paints, pens, deco-patch papers and lots of decorating materials available.

Let the younger children play in our enchanted castle soft play area, suitable for 1 - 6 years.

You can book our studio for exclusive use with party organisers hosting your event for you, we are available for Birthday parties, School outings, Brownie, Guides, Scout groups, Nursery and playgroup outings and much more.

Available for entertaining the children at your wedding location whether it be at our studio or at your wedding location, we are here to provide a fun and creative environment to entertain your children, perhaps

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whilst wedding speeches are taking place. Whilst we provide aprons to protect the children's clothes we can also provide a creative environment that does not include paint.

Customer comments: Fab fab and fab again, lots to choose from so will definitely be back, Great fun, friendly and enjoyable Everything a 5 year old princess could ask for. A fabulous 5th birthday for a happy little girl and 15 of her closest friends.

My favourite and my best, very relaxing for mummies too.

For more information please visit our website www.arting-around.net or contact Anita on 07912 616623.

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‘Handcrafted Highlanders’ As part of the Museum’s Education and Lifelong Learning Project, third-year Textiles and Surface Design students from the School were given a brief to design a range of surface decoration scarves from Johnston of Elgin’s luxury fabrics including cashmere and lambswool.

Aimed at the visitor market of the museum which comprises tourists, local visitors and professionals, students were to take inspiration from the legacy and identity of The Gordon Highlanders.

Following The Gordon Highlanders concept including the military tones and textures of the regiments branding, students worked in groups focusing on a theme of the Highlanders including ‘Steadfast’, ‘Ley of the Land’, ‘Threads of Time’ and ‘Forgotten Highlander’.

Tess Maclean, Education and Outreach Officer at The Gordon Highlanders Museum, explains: “This Lifelong Learning project allowed the Museum to branch out to a new demographic and inspire fresh audiences. By exploring the history of The Gordon Highlanders through textile media, the exhibition offers a creative range of fashion items suitable for the lady as well as the gent, and shows the design process from development and marketing to the final products.

“The Gordon Highlanders Museum is committed to preserving and sharing the legacy of the world-famous regiment for future generations and looks to constantly evolve and provide a wide range of unique experiences.

This exhibition hosts an array of visual delights for visitors to explore and has allowed the students to connect with the local community in Aberdeen.”

Charlie Hackett, Lecturer in Fashion and Textiles at Gray’s, adds: “This project has provided the students with a great opportunity to work with a client on a real design brief, feeding the themes and historical influences of the regiment as well as local heritage into their creations.”

The exhibition will run until June 2012, Tuesday to Saturday from 10am-4pm in the Education Room at The Gordon Highlanders Museum, Viewfield Road, Aberdeen.

Museum admission applies to view the exhibition: Adult - £5.00 Senior Citizens and students - £3.00 Child - £2.00 Family - £11.00 Admission is free to the tea rooms & garden.

For more information, please visit www.gordonhighlanders.com.

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Aberdeen City Residents Discou Aberdeen City Council will soon launch its latest service to the residents of Aberdeen, the Residents Discount Scheme. This new and innovative scheme will allow residents to take advantage of a wide variety of discounts and special offers on many council services and activities, including entertainment and arts; sports and leisure.

This new Residents Discount Scheme will begin on 2 April 2012 and is available to all residents of Aberdeen City. Citizens just need to swipe their Accord Card at participating sites to get the discount.

The Accord Card is the Council’s successful smartcard scheme, which is widely used already providing cardholders with a convenient way to manage every-day activities such as bus travel for older and disabled people, Access to Leisure, ACE membership, library membership and cashless catering at all of the council’s secondary schools.

A variety of services, outlets and venues are participating in the Residents Discount Scheme, meaning there are discounts on everything from Arts & Crafts to Zumba something for everyone! Offers and discounts available at the moment include:

• The Beach Ballroom: discounts on selected events (see brochure for details) • 1906 Restaurant and Café: 10% discount on food and non-alcoholic drinks (not applicable to parties of more than eight people and not in conjunction with any other offer or discount) • Music Hall: 10% discount on food and nonalcoholic drinks ((not applicable to parties of more than eight people and not in conjunction with any other offer or discount) • Belmont Picturehouse: £5 discount on annual membership • Aberdeen International Youth Festival: discount on selected performances for 2012 festival • Sport Aberdeen: 10% discount on full Adult www.thegranitecitygazette.co.uk

• • • • • •

prices at all fitness studios and swimming sessions. (Excludes flumes, group activities, classes, pre-booked sessions and cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or offer.

Restrictions may apply) Adventure Aberdeen: Preferential rates on 50+ programme and adult courses * CityMoves: discount on selected classes (see brochure for details) Tramsheds Coffee House and Satrosphere Science Shop: 10% discount on all products Libraries: borrow 5 and get 6th free on all DVD, Blu-Ray and CD loans (applies to chargeable loans only) Arts Development: discount on adult classes (see brochure for details)* Northern Arts Club: 10% discount on first years membership for new members

* No discount available for Visitor Card holders for any activities funded via the Common Good Fund. See Service(s) Brochure(s) for details.

Bruce Reid, Accord Card Manager said “I am delighted that this new scheme is being rolled out and that so many council services and partner organisations are offering residents a discount. This is just the beginning of the scheme and we will be working hard to ensure more discounts and offers are made available, so keep an eye on the Accord website (accordaberdeen.co.uk) for the latest offers. We would encourage local businesses to join the scheme as a way of encouraging trade in the City and rewarding citizens for their loyalty.”

“Citizens of Aberdeen who would like to take advantage of the Residents Discount Scheme but do not have an Accord Card yet can now apply online. Just visit accordaberdeen.co.uk and follow the instructions, it’s quick, easy and free! Alternatively, you can apply in person at most City libraries, at Customer Access Points or at the Customer Service Centre.”

“The use of contactless smartcard technology via the Accord Card is the ideal way to implement and manage the Residents Discount

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unt Scheme…

Scheme as residents can quickly and easily get the discounts. A recent independent audit of 100 councils across the UK by smart technology company Ecebs, named Aberdeen City Council as Scotland’s ‘smartest’ council and offering a Residents Discount via the Accord Card can only enhance our position.”

Visitor Card This new scheme is not restricted solely to residents. Aberdeen City Council recognises that many people live outwith the city but frequently travel in for work, business and social activities, and the income from which makes up a vital part of the city’s economy. Therefore, a Visitor Card is also being launched which non-residents can buy for a small fee to cover admin and card production costs. Cardholders can then take advantage of many of the offers and discounts available under the Residents Discount Scheme (excludes any activities and

classes funded by the Common Good Fund). Beginning from 2 April 2012, Visitors Cards will be available to purchase from the Central Library at £10. The Visitor Card is excellent value for money and is valid for two years from the date of purchase.

To find out more about the Aberdeen City Residents Scheme and the Accord Card visit: accordaberdeen.co.uk or call 0845 345 2789.

The Residents Discount Scheme ...

something for veryone.

We’ve topped up! Have you?

If your child attends a local authority secondary school you can now top up their Accord Card online at: aberdeencity.gov.uk/accordpayment Topping up online is secure, fast and convenient and means you no longer need to give your child money or a cheque to take to school.

Be smart: Tap & Go! sQuid e-money, the alternative for carrying cash, is now available on the Accord Card. sQuid is perfect for pocket money!

Pay with sQuid for the ice disco at Linx Ice Arena, a swim at the Beach Leisure Centre, hiring games at the Central Library and much more.

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Homes and Interiors

Open Sesame Why have several small, dark rooms when you can simply knock down some walls and live in a gorgeous, airy, bright and huge space? But there are eight key issues you should bear in mind when decorating your open-plan home, says Katherine Sorrell 1. Creating a focal point While traditional rooms often work around a fireplace or TV, larger, multi-purpose rooms can lack visual focus. By introducing colour, pattern and/or texture on one wall – perhaps above a sofa or behind a dining table – you’ll add character, interest and even drama. The easiest solution is to use a strong paint colour or to hang a large painting, photograph or print, while boldly patterned wallpaper also works well.

A comfortable seating area can be based around a rug and finished with oversized lighting. The Barletta collection, Marks & Spencer, 0845 302 1234; marksandspencer.com.

Alan D.

Cowie

Painter & Decorator Alan D. Cowie 68 Broomhill Avenue Aberdeen AB10 6JY Tel : 01224 313434 Mob : 07855 253218 Email : alan.cowie3@googlemail.com

T: 01224 313434 M: 07855 253218

E: alan.cowie3@googlemail.com W: www.alancowie.co.uk

2. Using colour Pale colours are generally considered best to emphasise the airiness of large open spaces. But should you go for one shade all over, or choose different colours for different areas? Using the same colour

throughout gives an unbroken look and emphasises space, but if one end of the room is to function separately from the other – a living and dining space, a living and work space – you can zone these areas by varying their colour. A tonal scheme, with colour going from light to darker from one end to the other, can be particularly effective.

3. Planning your lighting Use lighting to delineate different areas within your openplan space, and illuminate different parts to suit your needs, whether it’s a living area or working space, a kitchen or a dining area. Layer in different types of light in different

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Sliding panels are designed to partition different areas. Leave the system closed to disguise clutter or pull it back to revert to openplan bliss. Prices start from ÂŁ77.84, The Fabric Box, 0844 8118280; thefabricbox.co.uk.

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areas, using a mixture of concealed lighting (in ceilings or under shelves, for example) and eye-catching, over-sized fixtures that suit the extra-large space.

4. Choosing a floor Choosing flooring for a multi-purpose space such as an open-plan cooking/dining/living area can be tricky, as the kitchen area needs to be able to cope with splashes and spills, while you’ll want the sitting area to feel cosy

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Here, a subtle difference in colour separates the dining area from the living space. The dramatic wenge wood shutters are on a track, so are ideal for large windows and as room dividers. ÂŁ280 per sq m, Santa Fe Shutters, 0845 076 0109; santafeshutters.co.uk.

and comfortable. You have two choices: either run the same flooring throughout for a sleek, flowing look, or choose a variety of types of flooring which will differentiate between areas. If you go for the former option, consider stone or wood, both of which can be softened with rugs where necessary, or consider high quality vinyl, which is spill-proof and forgiving underfoot.

5. Separating spaces Not all open-plan spaces need to be entirely open all of the time, so for truly flexible living it’s advisable to include some sort of flexible division. In a period property, panelled doors that can be folded back against the walls when not in use are perfect; in a more modern house a moveable screen, or perhaps ceiling-mounted panels (on a track) that can be pulled to one side when desired, would be enormously useful.

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6. Linking spaces Open-plan kitchen/living areas are ideal for entertaining, but how do you successfully blend the spaces seamlessly? One solution is to continue the style of your kitchen units for storage used in nearby areas, choosing a design that looks as good for a TV stand, say, as for a cutlery drawer. Versatility is key and you should consider not just colour but also texture, and even handles – long, slender handles tend to look better in modern living spaces than dumpy round ones, for example.

7. Solutions for storage Knocking two rooms together gives you a gorgeous open area – but, because you’ve lost wall space for cupboards and shelves, much less room to hide your clutter. One solution is to use

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Oversized, dramatic pieces work well in large, open-plan spaces. Marmaduke chair, ÂŁ199, Very, 08448 222 321; very.co.uk.

Homes and Interiors

tall, open shelving that doubles as a room divider as well as somewhere to display your stuff, while if you have a flat-screen TV, mount it on a media wall with storage for DVDs concealed behind it. In fact, make the most of every tiny corner, building storage into sloping ceilings, around windows or in any alcove you can find.

8. Buying and arranging furniture Conventional furniture won’t necessarily have the right proportions to work well in open-plan living areas, so you may have to look for largerthan-average pieces, and bear in mind that they have to look good from all angles, not just the front. Avoid the temptation to place all the furniture around the edges of the room (it will look like a nursing home); instead, create cosy sitting areas within the main space – with two sofas facing each other, with tables and lamps behind, perhaps, or else use modular furniture which creates sociable corners.

exterior / interior /plastering/water damage fixed price quotations - no VAT 19 Craigiebuckler Place

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Are you looking for a local & reliable electrician?

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39 Baillieswells Crescent, Bieldside, Aberdeen, AB15 9BD

Get A Look

Hair by Paul Mitchell

You’ll

from a salon that’s perfect for you

We all need a change from time to time and a great hair colour, manageable cut and fashion-forward finish is all that’s needed to make us look and feel amazing.

However, finding a hairdresser that will deliver what we want and at a price we can afford can be difficult. So, it’s important to think carefully about choosing a salon that’s right for you, before taking the plunge and trying out a whole new look.

Putting a price on your hair It’s crucial to establish how much you are willing to pay for your hair-service, as salon prices vary widely. Local hairdressers are generally cheaper, while inner city salons and those that boast award-winning stylists can cost considerably more. But, if you are willing to invest in your tresses and don’t mind the extra spend, look out for a salon that belongs to the British Hairdressing Fellowship, as these teams are sure to be at the top of their game.

Usually salons structure prices around the level of skill and expertise of their stylists

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and colour technicians. So, if you have a particular issue with your hair - such as it being over processed and damaged, or in need of a colour correction procedure - then it is certainly worth spending that extra bit of money to take advantage of the most highly experienced and skilled member of the team. However, if you are just after a simple trim or all-over colour, then a visit to a junior stylist is an affordable and sensible option.

Taking advantage of free consultations It’s a good idea to check out a hairdresser’s website before paying them a visit in order

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Love -

Looking for a Relaxed atmosphere Personal attention Weddings our speciality

to get a ‘feel’ for the place and to check out the cost of services on offer. A very trendy salon may be perfect for those looking for a cutting edge cut in contemporary surroundings, however it wouldn’t suit someone after a quiet and altogether more traditional setting.

Take advantage of the free consultations that practically all salons provide, before making the decision to book in. Not only will you pick up some great information from those in the know, but you will also get a chance to observe the techniques they use and how well the staff interact with their customers.

Most salons have separate colour technicians and stylists, meaning that your colour will be applied by one member of staff and the cut and finish created by another. This ensures that you always get the very best treatment at each stage of the process.

Talking to the experts Find a hairdresser that is in tune with your style requirements.

If you love to make a statement

Can you resist it?

1 Craigiebuckler Avenue Aberdeen AB15 8SH Telephone : 01224 313839

Tel : 322000 Devonair Hairstylists 2 Devonshire Road Aberdeen (off St Swithin St)

and aren’t afraid to be bold, then booking in with a super trendy stylist who can inject some of their own creative flair into your look is a great idea. But, if you are more reserved and want to keep things classic when looking for a change, opt for a stylist that shares your sentiments.

It’s great to get an expert opinion on what will suit you, but it is essential to be satisfied with the end result. Your stylist may tell you that you will look amazing with a short style, but if you love your long locks, don’t be talked into making a change that you will regret.

Matching hairstyle to lifestyle Always explain your lifestyle to your hairdresser - a hairstyle that requires 45 minutes styling time, is not ideal for someone with a very busy life.

Stay realistic about what can be achieved with your hair type and always illustrate your style ideas with pictures, to give your stylist a clear understanding of what you would like to accomplish.

And once you have found a great hairdresser, be sure to hold on to them.

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Health, Fitness and Beauty

I

t’s supposed to be your big day, yet months before your wedding the stresses can start building up; the planning, the relatives, the thought of being centre of attention, etc etc, the list just goes on. It’s therefore a big opportunity for your brain to get overwhelmed, feel under pressure, this might even spiral into sleepless nights.

It’s not just the bride who can suffer, the bridegroom, parents, bridesmaids, best man are all having to consider their role on the day. Take the pressure Pippa Middleton would have been under recently!

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) encourages positive thinking by helping clients to focus on solutions to problems, rather than dwelling on the problems themselves. Clients’ anxiety levels are usually reduced, thus improving their overall well-being. Anxiety related conditions generally improve, including insomnia, lack of motivation, low self-confidence and low self-esteem.

David Newton, one of the most experienced hypnotherapy practitioners in the UK, explains: “SFH differs from earlier forms of

Buck the pressure of Wedding Day nerves with Hypnotherapy With speeches to consider, what to wear, the weather, it can sometimes be difficult to remember that this is supposed to be fun.

And then there’s the cost of the big day.

What few realise is that they can actually do something about these nerves, a few sessions of solution focused hypnotherapy gets the person thinking about how they want their day to be rather than letting their brain spiral them out of control into dreading it.

Home based salon offering:

Applisonix Ultrasound Hair Reduction Facials Waxing Massage Manicures / Pedicures Eyelash Perm Eyelash Extensions

therapy by encouraging clients to formulate a positive image of their problem-free future rather than analysing the cause of symptoms of the problem itself. It is a highly effective and liberating approach.

Sam Luxford RGN RMN DHP HPD MNCH (Reg.) CNHC AfSFH is a Solution Focused Hypnotherapists practising in: Rubislaw Den North, Aberdeen City AB15. Call 07867936505 to book a free initial consultation. www.aberdeenhypnotherapy.com sam@aberdeenhypnotherapy.com

Be the change NLP Hypnotherapy EmoTrance

54 Garthdee Road Aberdeen, AB10 7AX Tel: 07731 768707

Web: www.ultrabeauty.org.uk Email: paula@ultrabeauty.org.uk

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Kenny Lochrie

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Health, Fitness and Beauty

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Health, Fitness and Beauty

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Bling Fling Charity Event To Get Bootylicious Work Out From One of The Worlds Top Fitness Trainers & Choreographers Organisers of this years’ Bling Trainers and Tiaras Charity Walk and Party are delighted to announce that top fitness trainer and choreographer, Steve Agyei, who has worked with Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Paul McCartney, will be holding the pre event bootylicious warm up!

Steve has extensive knowledge of fitness, sport, dance, yoga and music. He has appeared in numerous shows including Starlight Express , appeared in over 50 pop videos and performed with The Spice Girls, Sting and Paul McCartney. He also appeared with Louis Spence on Bump and Grind for Trouble TV as a fitness presenter.

Family connections in the North have led to him spend more time in the area and he now has several different classes running in Inverness and Aberdeen.

He designed the “Bootylicious” workout – a fun dance, workout class that teaches women to shake their butts like Beyonce, whilst toning their bums, tums and bingo wings - and it is a version of this that will be used as a warm up for all the Bling Fling participants in May. Janine Davies, one of the organisers’ said: “ We are delighted that Steve is able to

support our event. It’s an exciting new way to start it and I’m sure everyone will love it. It is just one of the changes this year. We have a new line up of entertainers and new therapies too so even those who have done Bling Fling before will enjoy something new.”

Bling Fling 4 will be held on Sunday 13th May, Places are still available for ladies (and men!) who fancy a fantastic fun day & evening while fundraising for the fabulous new Breast Cancer Support Centre at ARI and to help fund projects and outings for Archway, a local charity that supports children and adults with learning disabilities in the North East.

You can download the registration form and get some fundraising ideas on our website – www.blingfling.org. And remember – if you can’t join us on the day, why not hold your own Bling Fling themed event to support us – you can find more details on the website.

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Health, Fitness and Beauty Want to Avoid Getting Stuck in the Same Fitness Routine?

Over 5 million people in the UK have a gym membership, and top health experts recommend that we exercise for at least 30 minutes, five times a week. It’s easy to get stuck in a routine of running on the treadmill for an hour, but did you know you that can get a more intense, full body workout by rowing? Just 30 minutes on the rowing machine will burn the same calories as 30 minutes of football, but with added benefits as you use every muscle in your body, thus getting a full body workout. You don’t have to be out on the river to reap the benefits of rowing. Your nearby gym is likely to have a selection of rowing machines to give you just as good a workout

Aberdeen Boat Club (ABC) is one of the oldest rowing clubs in the UK. Founded in 1865 on the River Dee, ABC is now one of Scotland’s largest rowing centres. Competitively, members have enjoyed success at both national and international levels as well as generally having the strongest presence at domestic events. In 2002, Aberdeen Boat Club became the first Scottish club to win at Henley Royal Regatta.

The club welcomes rowers in the Aberdeen area with a well-organised training structure for complete beginners. For more information about Aberdeen Boat Club, visit: ww.abc-dee. co.uk Or a very alternative Mother’s Day gift!



LOVE YOUR MUM...

Why not spoil her this Mother’s Day - book a 60min face treatment and she will receive an extra 15min complimentary back massage for some very well deserved ‘me’ time! www.kumikobeauty.co.uk

For more information/to book an appointment please contact Jenny at 89 Gray Street, Aberdeen AB10 6JD t : 01224 594777 e: jenny@kumikobeauty.co.uk Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

21

Music Theatre Live Entertainment

Photos Courtesy of Kate Sutherland Photography

Tuesday to Saturday, March 6 to 31: An unprecedented live stage experience which explodes with heart-pounding music, passionate romance and sensationally sexy dancing - Dirty Dancing, in His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm Mondays to Thursdays, 5pm and 8.30pm on Fridays and 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturdays

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Thursday, March 8: Northern Irish hard-rock blues collective The Answer have spent the last decade proving their rock ‘n’ roll credentials and making the kind of life-affirming, eardrum-threatening music that separates the truly great from the merely adequate and earning themselves a fearsome reputation as an astonishing live band and as rock’s brightest hopes, in The Lemon Tree Lounge Thursday to Saturday, March 8 to 10: As part of National Theatre Connections – a nationwide celebration of new plays for young people - APA Senior Youth Theatre present Little Foot, by Craig Higginson, which draws on Greek Tragedy and 21st Century relationships in a play about a group of young friends who unleash the nightmarish stories of their ancestors, in The Lemon Tree Studio, West North Street, Aberdeen, at 7pm.

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Friday, March 9: Aberdeen-based Fat Hippy Records present the album launch of The Ruckus, a city five-piece rock band formed in 2006, in The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 8pm.

Saturday, March 10: Seventy-five minute behind the scenes tour at Aberdeen’s iconic Edwardian landmark, His Majesty’s Theatre, in HMT at 10.30am. Tickets £5 (£3 concession Saturday, March 10: Following Bucksburn & District Pipe Band’s phenomenal debut concert Fired Up last year, Reignited features

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Music Theatre Live Entertainment Inverary & District Pipe Band in another magical night of piping and drumming, in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm.

the ridiculous state of masculinity in the modern world in Manscaping, in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 8pm.

Sunday, March 11: In an exciting new partnership with the St Andrew’s Chorus and their musical director Michael Downes, Aberdeen Sinfonietta perform Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune, Nielsen’s Pan and Syrinx, Mahler’s Songs of a Wayfarer and Puccini’s Gloria, in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm.

Friday, March 16: Aberdeen Music Centre Jazz Bands 2012, in The Lemon Tree Lounge, doors at 6.30pm.

Sunday, March 11: Fresh from the dramatic events as one of the crew rowing the Atlantic for a new World Record, adventurer, author and expedition cameraman Mark Beaumont returns to Aberdeen to share his experiences in An Evening with Mark Beaumont, in The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 7.30pm.

Wednesday, March 14: The five brilliant comic maestro musicians who make up the Spaghetti Western Orchestra perform classic Ennio Morricone soundtracks from iconic Clint Eastwood movies, in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm.

Wednesday, March 14: Citymoves and Errol White Dance present IAM, as a group of dancers discover the very nature of one another through the fabric of their own personal histories, under the pressure of sound and light, in The Lemon Tree Studio, West North Street, Aberdeen, at 7pm.

Wednesday, March 14: The reformed Belfast punk icons Stiff Little Fingers, who along with the likes of Clash, Sex Pistols, The Jam, Skids, Buzzcocks, Undertones, Sham 69, Stranglers et al were at the forefront of the punk movement, in The Lemon Tree Studio, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 8pm.

Saturday, March 17: Seventy-five minute behind the scenes tour at Aberdeen’s iconic Edwardian landmark, His Majesty’s Theatre, in HMT at 10.30am.

Sunday, March 18: The University of Aberdeen Symphony Orchestra and Choral Society combine forces once more for a magnificent programme featuring Jillian Bain Christie performing five songs from Chants D’Auvergne by Canteloube, plus Aberdeen-born bass soloist Colin Brockie and acclaimed local soprano Gillian Jack singing Howard Goodall’s beautiful Requiem Eternal Light, in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm.

Monday and Tuesday, March 19 and 20: Renowned for his grouchy deadpan style, award-winning and critically acclaimed comedian Rich Hall is a master of absurdist irony and king of rapid-fire wit, in The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 7pm.

Tuesday, March 20: Aberdeen Choral Society presents Verdi’s Requiem with conductor Alistair MacDonald and Grampian Sinfonia leader Dirk van Loon, in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm.

Wednesday, March 21: Aberdeenshire Music Centre Spring Concert features a varied programme of concert band and orchestral music by children from all over Aberdeenshire, in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm.

Thursday, March 15: Fosters Comedy Award winner and star of loads of stuff on telly, Russell Kane mercilessly explores Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

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Music Theatre Live Entertainment Wednesday, March 21: Chart-topping Salsa Celtica return to Aberdeen with their synthesis of Scottish and Irish traditional music with all the Latin American elements of salsa which has taken them and their music all over the world, in The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 7.30pm.

Thursday, March 22: Back on the road after the global success of their self-titled debut, Black Stone Cherry blend vintage arena rock with the idiosyncrasies that define the sound of bands like Lynard Skynard, in The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 7.30pm.

Friday, March 23: With a programme which includes Brahm’s First Symphony – one of the truly life-affirming masterpieces of romantic music – BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra with Runnicles Conducts the Romantics featuring conductor Donald Runnicles and cellist Martin Storey, in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm.

Friday, March 23: Inimitable Australian funnyman and ex-heavy-metal drummer, Steve Hughes on his eagerly-awaited debut tour Big Issues, in The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 7pm.

Friday to Sunday, March 23 to 25: Present Tense Productions presents Three Days of Rain, by Richard Greenberg, which features siblings reunited for the reading of their father’s will and explores how the private worlds of one generation car reinterpreted by the next, in The Lemon Tree Studio, West North Street, Aberdeen, at 7pm on Friday and Saturday, with a 2.30pm Sunday matinee.

Saturday, March 24: Seventy-five minute behind the scenes tour at Aberdeen’s iconic Edwardian landmark, His Majesty’s Theatre, in HMT at 10.30am.

Saturday, March 24: Having sorted out religion (Christ on a Bike) and politics (Hitler Moustache), comedian Richard Herring seeks to define and destroy love, before love destroys him, in What is Love, Anyway? in The at 7pm.

Saturday and Sunday, March 24 and 25: Aberdeen Music Centre Spring Concerts featuring some of Aberdeen’s finest young musicians in a concert of festive music by bands, orchestras and choirs, in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 1.30pm and 7.30pm.

Monday, March 26: 8 out of 10 Cats star Jon Richardson tackles everyday items that have a profound effect on his outlook, in Funny Magnet, in The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 7pm.

2012/2013

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Music Theatre Live Entertainment Tuesday, March 27: MOBO Award-winning saxophonist YolanDa Brown, regarded as the merging voice of mainstream jazz in the UK, makes a very welcome return to The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 7.30pm.

Wednesday, March 28: The iconic and hugely influential song-writing due, Gallagher & Lyle perform an intimate evening of material spanning their fivedecade careers, in The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 7.30pm.

Thursday, March 29: Brutal, shambolic, savage and unpredictable American comic Doug Stanhope, who displays scant respect for any personal, moral or social boundaries, in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 8pm.

Thursday to Saturday, March 29 to 31: As part of APA Creative Learning’s Spring Season, APA Young Person’s company present Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman, a play in which a writer in a totalitarian state is interrogated about the gruesome content of his sort stories and their similarities to a number of child-murders, in The Lemon Tree Studio, West North Street, Aberdeen, at 7pm on Thursday and Friday and 6.30pm on Saturday, with a 1.30pm Thursday matinee.

Friday, March 30: With a fiery twin fiddle front line, rock solid rhythm section and fine dance calling, a grand evening is guaranteed at a Ceilidh with Clachan Yell, in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 8pm.

Saturday, March 31: Seventy-five minute behind the scenes tour at Aberdeen’s iconic Edwardian landmark, His Majesty’s Theatre, in HMT at 10.30am.

Tickets from boxofficeaberdeen.com or tel : 01224 641122 Every Saturday: Creative Kids, sponsored by Argus Care, in the Lemon Tree Lounge, Aberdeen, doors open 12pm, activities from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.

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25

No Room For Giraffes When I first moved to London, I lived in a big house in a quiet, leafy suburb. It was a shared property, positively bursting at the seams with bits and bobs, nick-nacks and bric-a-brac (nobody really knows what bric-a-brac is, but it seems appropriate here. In fact, whilst I’m on the subject, what actually are nick-nacks?).

Two days before we were due to move out of the house, it burned down. For legal reasons it’s probably best if I don’t go into the exact details of the incident; suffice it to say that it wasn’t our fault and we lost everything.

In the immediate aftermath of the event, I learned two things: 1) estate agents are the spawn of Lucifer and 2) I am much happier when I own virtually nothing.

I only missed one thing, in truth. My piano.

Moving into the new place was a dream - I literally walked through the front door and was done - but I didn’t quite feel at ease again until I’d furnished it with a piano. It wasn’t so much the physical presence of the instrument that I craved, but more the ability to fill the house with music. This may seem unbearably pretentious and like a tremendously deep and cerebral person. I’m not either, of course, but this was of little concern to me at the time. I would go to parties and tell girls the story of the fire in the hope that hinting at an untapped river of pain running through my soul (I think that’s how I phrased it) would make them much more likely to get off with me. And so it was that, gradually, I began to understand that the fire had in one sense been a blessing. It had purged me of the scrapyard of pointless junk I had unwittingly collected over the years, and now I was free to be my own person again. I was lord of my gloriously empty manor.

You can imagine my consternation, then, when in preparation for a recent house move I found myself packing up my bedroom once more and discovering that, just a few short years later, I somehow still owned TRUCKLOADS OF STUFF. I mean, ruddy truckloads.

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This discovery propelled me towards an unashamedly fascist cull of my belongings.

One of the items that failed to make the cut during the move was a five-foot tall pink wicker giraffe I had received as a gift some years earlier. I was rather fond of this curious ornament, as it happens, but when you’re executing a cull of this magnitude you have to be cold and ruthless, and there really was no room for giraffes. In the end I took it to my local charity shop, spent a short while reflecting on what sort of person would want to buy such a thing, and promptly left.

Two hours later, as I turned the front-door key one final time and officially vacated my home, I saw a woman walking up the road with, you guessed it, a pink wicker giraffe under her arm.

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, said Einstein, only moved around. The law of thermodynamics. True not just of tiny electrons, it seems, but apparently also of giraffes.

Chris plays piano in South London power-pop band The Lightyears.

The Lightyears, voted the UK’s BEST POP/ROCK ACT at the Indy Awards, have played Wembley Stadium, toured across four continents and released a record with Sting’s producer. Chris is currently working on his first novel, “Mockstars”. Read more of Chris’ blogs and tour diaries at www.TheLightyears.com.

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The Forum Proudly Presents an evening with

Boogie the night away at the best party night in town with Aberdeen's biggest live covers band.

THE FORUM

Saturday 17th March 2012, Doors Open 9pm - 1am V.I.P. Ticket Enjoy the best seat in the house with this V.I.P. ticket including a balcony view, private bar and access to the dance floor.

ÂŁ10.00

Enjoy a covers set-list of live classics from great acts such as

Stevie Wonder, The Eagles, Michael Buble, Tom Jones Earth, Wind & Fire, Amy Winehouse and many more.

Standard Ticket Entry to The Forum.

ÂŁ5.00 Per Person

Per Person

Tickets available Reserve your tickets and tablefrom by emailing The Stage Door, 26 North Silver Street, Tel. 01224 642111 thearistocats@hotmail.co.uk or buy in advance from The Great Western Hotel, Great Western Road, Tel. 01224 574484 Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers -Forum thank you The Stage Door or at The on the night Also available from The Forum on the night.

'Like Us' on Facebook to

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East Mannofield Industries

A Proverbial Life ...

Waste not, want not I’ve developed a rather odd passion for glass.

Not just any old glass, but those items we normally toss into the recycling bin without a second glance...glass jars. Actually, it’s not just glass jars that have taken my fancy but also yogurt pots. So far I’m managing to resist the urge to collect the wonderfully perfect plastic pots - but my glass jar fetish is getting out of control.

I used to casually put all such items into the recycling bin, where they would eventually be reincarnated by the local facility. However, I now seem to have decided that I can cut out the middle man and perform an alternative recycling role myself.

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My mother in particular took this request to heart. She is my most enthusiastic glass jar collector, and has dragooned many of her friends into saving their jars for me. At least once a month I get summoned to ‘Mummy Towers’ to pick up the latest batch of jars.

There’s always at least 30 waiting for me, stacked in a cardboard box, washed and looking suspiciously like they’ve been polished to a high gleam.

I’m always delighted to receive them and she’s always delighted to give them to me.

I have discovered a whole new world of beauty in the simple glass jar. I covet glass jars and will not assign them to a cruel crushing and grinding. Instead I soak off labels, clean with hot soapy water, rinse and leave to dry on the window sill. Once they have passed the ‘sniff test’ (quick sniff to ensure there is no lingering hint of previous contents), they join their fellow jars in one of several boxes stored in the garage. I’ve been collecting now for nearly six months and I’ve got lots of lovely clean jars.

Lots and lots and lots.

I’m not the original purchaser of all of these jars; many of them have been donated to me by family and friends. All it took was a simple request to ‘save all your jars for me’, and I’ve been inundated.

by A. O’Brien

However, the oddest thing is that no-one ever questions why I want so many jars. An initial explanation that I was going to make jam has continued to ensure a never ending supply of lovely jars. The jam making season has long gone. Despite my best intentions I didn’t make any jam. Neither have I made any chutneys, relishes or pickles but I will...next year.

If I don’t make jam I will find some other use for them. I may take up glass painting and turn them into psychedelic vases for sale on eBay; or pop nightlights into them and use them in the garden, or fill them with sweets for the tombola at the local W.I. Or I could turn them into pen holders, paint pots or mini incubators for seedlings...the possibilities are endless.

Indeed my husband has suggested that they would be a particularly useful place to keep the marbles he thinks I’ve lost. I shall ignore him.

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International School of Aberdeen presents a cheque to the Neurosurgical Fund Members of the International School of Aberdeen community present a cheque for £10,000 to the Neurosurgical Fund based at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

PTO organisers chose to support the fund after doctors saved the life of middle school student Joseph Robertson.

The school’s first-ever fundraising ball generated the donation.

The PTO organisers would like to thank the fifty local businesses who donated a prize for the raffle and silent auction.

Pictured are ISA director Dr. Dan Hovde, twelfth grader Fortunate Zondo, Lois Duncan, Student Council president Bethany Garry, fifth grader Josh Wood, PTO president Brenda Holohan, Jennifer Hass, Dr. Akhtar Hussain, Nancy Sirgo, seventh grader Joseph Robertson, Izzy Ritchie, Roslyn Robertson, Sara Richards, Claartje Demeur, and Lisa Henkel.

Children In Need Prevent Closure by Funding Local Charity AVENUE have been awarded £33,389 by Children In Need to support their children’s counselling service. Elizabeth Wallace, Chief Executive said, It’s extremely difficult to fund counselling support for children and young people and we were on the verge of closing. Thanks to Children in Need for giving us this lifeline.

AVENUE also specialise in family mediation, child contact centres, relationship counselling and now offer counselling to anyone who is struggling with life’s challenges. At the recent launch of AVENUE’s new brand, the First Minister expressed his appreciation and admiration, AVENUE is an inspirational organisation; their mediation and counselling services never fail to impress me. During the last year alone AVENUE dealt with almost 1,000 enquiries; handled over 600 cases; and delivered more than 1,500 sessions to help children, adults and couples in need of support.

To find out more, please visit our website www.avenue-info.com or call 01224 587571, 01779 490790, 01343 540201.

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From right to left: First Minister, Alex Salmond MSP, Elizabeth Wallace, (AVENUE Chief Executive), Lorna Buchan (AVENUE Chair), Chris Harvey, (AVENUE Patron)

Local News Local News Local News

Let’s talk wine...

C is for Chardonnay Chardonnay can be a room divider with many wine drinkers having a definite opinion on the grape. I do think that there is a style of Chardonnay out there for everyone as it’s such a versatile variety.

Chardonnay is a chameleon and it’s characters will change depending on it’s growing conditions (it performs well in many different climates), how it’s raised in the winery and how its matured.

Classic cool climate Chardonnay such as those from the northern Burgundian outpost of Chablis are crisp, dry and citrusy often with a mineral streak inspired by the Kimmeridgean soils of the region.

Further south in Burgundy in Meursault and Puligny Montrachet, wines are richer and fuller, oak aging plays a part giving savoury, nutty notes as the wine ages. The Maconnais in Burgundy is a good Chardonnay starting point to get to know it’s subtleties . Some times unoaked, sometimes some battonage ( lees stirring) to give complexity and sometimes barrel fermentation to add texture.

Chardonnay does have a natural affinity with oak, and when aged in oak, you can expect characters of vanillia, toast or butterscotch. Take Chardonnay to a hotter climate and the aromas and flavours will become riper – tropical fruit and fig.

It’s a key ingredient of Champagne (alongside Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) and many other sparkling wines around the world and the term Blanc de Blancs on a label indicates 100% Chardonnay.

Compare the chardonnay….

Lindauer Blanc de Blancs NV, New Zealand Majestic Wines £12.99 Domaine Servin Chablis, France 2010 Majestic Wines £11.99 Sainsbury Carneros Chardonnay, California 2009 Majestic Wines £16.99

Carol is an Aberdeen based member of the Association of Wine Educators and the Circle of Wine Writers. She runs courses, workshops and WSET training and hosts corporate wine entertainment events and the Aberdeen Wine Appreciators tasting group.

Carol Brown http://www.wineuncorkededucation.co.uk Member of the Association of Wine Educators and the Circle of Wine Writers T: 01224 312076 M: 07751 520987

The next Wine Education Service Introductory 8 week evening class is due to start on Wednesday 18th April at the Atholl Hotel, Aberdeen.

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31

Step into the Amalfi Coast with the fresh taste of Italian cuisine ...

Nestled in Bon Accord Crescent, just a stone’s throw from Union Street is an authentic southern Italian restaurant called Ciao Napoli.

The rustic charm of this authentic southern Italian restaurant will appeal to those that wish to get away from the usual ‘chain’ restaurants.

The open stone work, chunky solid furnishings to the pretty window boxes and that’s before any food is served!

Ciao Napoli specialises in southern Italian cuisine and their extensive menu gives you plenty to choose from, along with their specials and a la carte offerings. The ideal choice for a variety of celebrations from a quick business lunch, to ladies doing lunch, to a big celebration held in their function room. There is something for everybody’s budget.

Ciao Napoli is happy to offer gazette readers the chance to come along and try the menu and is giving you a complimentary glass of wine.

Please use the coupon on the advert.

(It is one voucher per couple.

Available Mon-Thurs until 30 March 2012)

Special Offer for gazette readers during March

Step into the Amalfi Coast with the fresh taste of Italian cuisine at Ciao Napoli.

Freshly prepared produce (Monday - Thursday one voucher per couple) Selection of fine Neapolitan & Italian wines Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine Daily specials with your meal - please bring this advert.

Private/corporate dining facilities Special Saturday lunch for shoppers

Open for lunch Mon-Sat 12-2.30pm Open for Dinner Mon-Sat 5.30-10.30pm

10 Bon Accord Crescent, Aberdeen Tel : 01224 213223 www.ciaonapoli.co.uk

Herb of the Month - Thyme As a native of the Mediterranean region, thyme grown in this country needs to be in a sunny spot. Like many herbs it is easy to grow and is better in poorer, dryer soils as moist, nutrient rich conditions will cause it to lose its compact shape. Even given ideal conditions, thyme will start to be become woody after a few years and will produce fewer leaves. When the plant reaches that point it is best that it is divided and replanted.

Thyme is both pretty and aromatic so is ideal at the front of a border, particularly where passers-by will brush against it. However its flowers do attract bees and butterflies so take care not to let it overhang the path too much.

In general thyme is best in strong flavoured dishes, particularly anything with red meat. It is ideal in soups, casseroles and stocks as it is one of the few herbs in cooking which can be added early because it doesn’t lose its flavour when cooked for some time. Lemon thyme has a mild lemon flavour and is fine with chicken.

Thyme from the garden can be used all year round although obviously there is little growth in the winter months so you have to take care not to over harvest it. If you have an excess in the summer, the herb can be both dried and frozen for out of season use. The fresh leaves are much more pungent than dried ones though so use it sparingly.

Meals in Minutes This is a great way to jazz up salmon – with a Japanese teriyaki sauce glaze served with sesame flavoured noodles. Soak the wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before threading on the strips of salmon to prevent them from burning under the hot grill.

Serv es 4

Read y 40 m inute in s plu minu s3 tes m arina 0 ting

Glazed Salmon Skewers with Seasame Noodles 4 x salmon fillets, skinned 6 tbsp teriyaki sauce 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed 250g packet medium egg noodles 2 tsp sesame seed oil 1 tsp grated root ginger 6 salad onions, trimmed and thinly sliced 40g radishes, trimmed and thinly sliced 2 tbsp sesame seeds 30ml honey, warmed

Method : Slice each salmon fillet widthways into 2 strips and place the strips in a shallow dish. Mix together the teriyaki sauce and garlic and pour over the salmon. Cover and leave to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Preheat the grill to medium. Thread the strips of salmon onto 8 wooden skewers. Grill the salmon skewers for 3-4 minutes on each side until just cooked through.

Meanwhile, cook the noodles according to the packet instructions. Drain well. Heat the sesame oil in a wok or large non-stick frying pan and add the ginger, spring onions, radishes and sesame seeds. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes then add the noodles and toss well to mix.

Hot Tip

Just before serving, brush the salmon skewers with the warmed honey and grill for a further few minutes. Divide the sesame noodles between four serving bowls and top with the salmon skewers.

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To save time buy a small jar of ready prepared ginger puree rather than buying fresh root ginger – once opened it will keep in the fridge for a few weeks and is great for adding an Oriental flavour to rice and stir fries. www.thegranitecitygazette.co.uk

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35

The British Countryside Our British countryside is teeming with life this time of year.

To save you getting lost in a wilderness of animal and nature books, here are some of the best to be found. Grab the butterfly net and the binoculars; it’s time to go on a backgarden safari.

British Wildlife Photographer Award Collection 2 (Photography) AA Publishing Who says coffee table books always have to be about antique teapots and small furniture?

Bring the outside world in and celebrate the best that this island has to offer. The British Wildlife Photography Awards began in 2009 and this beautiful collection is full of the winning pictures from 2011, ranging from urban intruders to marine life.

Vivid images beautifully capture British wildlife in a wonderfully voyeuristic way. The whole collection is a window on the extraordinary lives of animals and is definitely one to be treasured.

RSPB Pocket Nature Wildlife of Britain If you’ve ever been out with your children and found yourself stumped by the question ‘what’s that?’ then this guide is a must-have for you. With over a thousand species of British animals, plants and fungi, you’ll sound like Chris Packham on Springwatch if you carry this in your rucksack.

Not released until June 2012

Collins Complete Guides - British Coastal Wildlife 36

Bugs Britannica Peter Marren and Richard Mabey

Determined to help the smallest creatures on our island make the biggest impact, ‘Bugs Britannica’ is a must-have for creepy-crawly enthusiasts. It’s wonderfully colourful and informative and guarantees to give you a greater understanding of how insects and humans interact and the importance of our tiny house-invaders. Our gardens and homes are teeming with bug-life and you might find you’re no longer reaching for the flyspray this summer.

British Wildlife Detectives’ Handbook Camilla de la Bedovere.

This is the ideal companion for budding young naturalists, but most importantly of all…it comes with

stickers. This handbook is packed with facts and information on everything you’re likely to see, both in the back-garden and beyond. Children will love turning detective and finding out what species they’re looking at. You can inspire and encourage them to really explore their natural surroundings without there being a computer in sight. The handbook has tick-boxes for keeping tabs on everything they’ve spotted so they can look back over their casework and truly admire British wildlife.

A Kestrel for a Knave Barry Hines If you were a teenager in the 1980s then you probably read ‘A Kestrel for a Knave’ in school.

For anyone who didn’t, you’re in for a treat. Disillusioned Billy Casper is enduring a deprived and violent upbringing in a small Yorkshire mining town when he builds an unlikely friendship with ‘Kes’, a kestrel hawk. Frequently described as ‘honest’ and ‘raw’ this is a story of how an animal can positively impact on human life. Kes inspires Billy to ‘soar’ and find passion in an otherwise harsh and hopeless life.

If you are opting for a ‘staycation’ and holidaying in Britain, reserve this book at the same time as booking your holiday. Our coastlines are quite literally swimming in extraordinary wildlife. This guide covers over 400 species of animals and plants found along our shores and will make a great companion for when you ‘like to be beside the seaside’.

Leafing through this book is like sticking your head straight into a rock-pool. It has clear pictures, descriptions and is packed with information to appeal to even the truest of nature enthusiasts.

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37

Want to dance but can’t? Then head along to a Ceroc class...

What is Ceroc?

Margaret Waite Tel no: 07764 168 873 margaret@mwaitemortgages.com

June Hodge Tel no 07715 454 165 junehodge@btinternet.com

INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE ADVICE Moving Home First Time Buyer Remortgage Buy to let Mortgage

Since the early 80’s CEROC has developed its own unique style which is easy to learn and great fun. Besides this, it’s a fantastic way to keep fit and a very sociable way to spend an evening. One of the other great things about CEROC is that there’s no need to come with a partner. Our teaching method means everyone changes partners during the class.

Learning to JiveSalsa is a great way to keep fit, socialise and enjoy a complete night out.

With a combined career of over 30 years in Financial Services we have a wealth of experience in advising and meeting the needs of our clients We can source a mortgage for you from the Whole of the Market together with exclusive deals offered to brokers like ourselves through our association with Legal & General Mortgage Club. We will recommend the most suitable mortgage once we have assessed your needs and affordability, it will be the one that best fits your individual circumstances. We can also advise on and arrange protection for your mortgage. For insurance business we arrange policies exclusively from Legal & General.

Our main aim is to provide a flexible and personal service with evening and weekend appointments if required.

H0123702

www.cerocscotland.com Tel : 07813 26 93 72

The dance styles that closely resemble what people learn at a Ceroc night are Jive and Salsa. Learning to partner dance with Ceroc is the largest and fastest growing dance organisation in the UK. More than 320,000 people will learn to dance with CEROC this year in over 80 locations every week across the country.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up the repayments on your mortgage We usually charge £250 for arranging a mortgage, the actual amount payable will depend upon your circumstances.

Please call or email to arrange a mutually convenient time to meet.

Come and join the hundreds of new people who are learning to CEROC every week.

All CEROC nights starts with a beginners class for 45 minutes. Then there is a short freestyle session followed by the more challenging Intermediate class. After this 30 minute class, your night out really starts when the DJ takes command of the freestyle session. This is an hour and an half of pure uninterrupted dance where you can improve your dance style and soak up the atmosphere’s addictive ambience.

There are three classes a week in Aberdeen.

Tuesday Night : Culter Mills Club 7.30pm - 10.30pm Wednesday Night : The Albyn 7.30pm - 10.30pm Thursday Night : The Station Hotel 7.30pm - 10.30pm There are regular workshops held and party nights to help improve your moves.

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Open from 9am all 7 days for food and drinks.

Closed Monday evening 01330 826530 bistro@buchananfood.com

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39

The Power of Perspective Phew! That’s us just landed back from a particularly, ...um, “fresh” week skiing and as we drove North after a lovely sunny landing in Edinburgh we were a bit surprised to meet with a a sheer wall of snow hurling itself in our faces around Durris! As hubby and I squinted hard through the windscreen, keen to avoid close encounters with walls, wildlife or other vehicles our daughters looked up casually from their techno-bubble in the back of the car to enquire whether we had “noticed the crazy weather out there” ?!

Had we noticed it...?! It took both of us gluing our eyes to the windscreen and slowing to a crawl to make any progress at all  But arriving home in Deeside and unloading the car in only minor snow flurries was a doddle compared to the Arctic temperatures we had endured in the Austrian mountains last week when double sets of thermals, balaclavas and a Hottie tucked into each mitten and boot was not enough to keep us from knotting every muscle against the wild weather. There were many moments when we had to “choose” to enjoy the fun of the experience and not focus on the discomfort!! And I say that as a VERY keen skier... in fact the one who would have to shoulder the blame for us all being there...;-) Isn’t it interesting how what we become accustomed to has such a strong influence on our perception of the events in our www.thegranitecitygazette.co.uk

lives? Honestly this minor blizzard felt like a walk in the park after the week we had just survived!

In a similar way our reaction to “the stuff that happens” to us generally in life manifests in a variety of ways according to the context, depending on what we’ve been through before, what we’ve managed to cope with and overcome. The choices we make in terms of how we view each event and circumstance hugely impacts whether we can, for example, turn a challenge into an opportunity.

A person just released from captivity, for example, will be far more aware of every element of freedom their new status affords, the choices it offers, the pleasures and the joys as well as possibly the fears, but far more oblivious to any ongoing inconveniences and discomforts, than someone who has enjoyed freedom their whole lives.

When I was released from hospital a few years ago after a 10 day stay following a near-death illness I noticed every flower, every smell, the brightness of the sky, the cars, the sounds and the colours far more brightly and vividly and memorably than ever before.

People who are told they only have a few months to live often find they choose to live every day with utmost happiness and not “sweat the small stuff”, learning instantly to “reframe” aspects of their life to pick out what is most important and how to view life’s events.

Relating this to the world events which can feel all-consuming at this time I was delighted to read in the FT of all places last month that despite what can feel at present like a wall of misery from the media about our prospects t : 01224 - 318561

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for the next few years if we choose to look at the bigger picture there is actually good news out there.

For example, thanks to advances in science and healthcare, infant mortality across the world is plummeting and the HIV pandemic may finally be coming under control. And though the world economy is slowing it’s still forecast to grow at 3% and as a result, the world promises to be a happier place for many more people than ever it has been. Isn’t that a good reason to be cheerful?

Just like us in our “small blizzard” last weekend, comparing our situation to the seriously tough winter being endured all across Central Europe this winter we felt very light and very lucky.

circumstances in our lives, particularly those that hit hard, perhaps those we have little control over the most of all. But a trick I can teach you which can really help with this, whether it’s dealing with work crises, family dramas, health shocks, is the art of “reframing” how you view these things in a way that feels happier and more comfortable for you. I can also help you increase your awareness as to the choices you do have about influencing things in your favour.

If you want a free 20 minute consultation on how I could work with you on this, or any other aspect of your life, whether career or home-related (or both), please email me on Amanda@WiseLifeCoaching.com .

I look forward to hearing from you. www.WiseLifeCoaching.com

We often struggle with changing events and Please check out my testimonials on www.WiseLifeCoaching.com to prove it!

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41

Growing Peppers So what are the growing secrets and the hints for perfect peppers?

Chilli and sweet, or bell, peppers can both be grown in a greenhouse border, in a sunny spot in the garden in warmer parts of the country, or on a sunny, sheltered spot on the patio. You’ll get the heavier, earlier crop if you grow the plants in a greenhouse or conservatory, but it is well worth growing them outside too, especially if you choose a spot close to a sunny wall or use cloches for extra warmth.

Sweet peppers, especially the red ones, are very high in vitamin A and both red and green peppers are also very high in vitamin C. Chilli peppers also have a good supply of vitamins C and A and in addition, contain both beta-carotene and something called capsaicin which is believed to have a useful effect on blood cholesterol levels. So all in all, there should be no stopping you, especially when you remember that they also make great eating – raw, roasted, on the BBQ, in stir fries, stuffed...in pasta sauces.

The seeds are readily obtainable from many catalogues or garden centres but before you select what to grow, make sure you take into account the level of heat you’re likely to get with any chilli peppers you grow. Most seed packets and catalogues do make it very clear.

Sow the seeds between now and early April. I use a multi-purpose or a seed compost as either work well, but to get good germination you will need to provide a bit of extra warmth, ideally from a heated propagator positioned in a spot where it receives plenty of natural light.

If you don’t have the time or facilities to raise your own from seed, you can always buy a few plants in a garden centre or

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send off for them. We offer two tasty varieties a miniature sweet pepper, and a chilli pepper as part of my ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ system, they are a regular favourite ( see www. pippagreenwood.com for details) Grow the plants on in any good quality multi-purpose compost, keep them a tiny bit drier than you would a tomato plant and feed regularly with a high-potash liquid feed (most readily available as a ‘tomato food’). This helps to keep the plants growing strongly and the potash will encourage plenty of flowers and so fruits to form.

If you are going for plants in pots, choose a pot or planter that has good drainage, add broken pots for extra drainage, and make sure that the pot is 30cm (12in) or more in diameter. Once there is no danger of late frosts, ideally by early June when temperatures are also warming up, you can put the pots or plants outside in a sheltered, sunny spot.

Some sweet pepper plants can get quite tall and rather ungainly so be ready to give them a bit of extra support if necessary. A stout bamboo cane will usually do the trick, and tie the plant in loosely with twine, string or any other soft garden tie.

If you’re after the hottest possible heat from your chilli peppers, then you’ll find this comes from fruits that are totally ripe, and that that ultimate heat is most likely to be achieved from peppers grown on plants that are grown in warmer conditions. So, if your plants are going to be looking gorgeous on your patio over the summer, make sure you put them somewhere extra warm – perhaps a sunny porch or window sill for that last bit of ripening time in the autumn. t : 01224 - 318561

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Growing your own peppers need not be a labour of love. In fact, it is not much more involved than growing tomatoes, so why not give it a try? Pepper plants can be unbelievably pretty too, with fruits in a range of shapes and colour, generally on compact plants and preceded by small and very pretty white flowers. This is a plant with great ornamental as well as edible potential.

For sweet peppers, if you are growing them in patio pots in a sunny spot then you are likely to find that there are still some unripened fruits on the plants when temperatures start to fall at the end of summer and well into autumn. To increase the chances of these ripening and increasing to full size, move the pots to a warmer spot or, if possible, to a porch, conservatory or greenhouse where they’ll get extra warmth and also plenty of natural light.

If you want chillies that look particularly good on the patio there are plenty to choose from. ‘Black Pearl’ is a hot chilli pepper with a distinct blackish tinge to the mature leaves and fruits that are black early on and mature darkest red.

For classic chillis with bright red, finger shaped fruits try ‘Thai Dragon’.

by Pippa Greenwood

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com and make veg growing easy! Just select the vegetables you’d like to grow and you’ll receive garden ready veg plants PLUS every week Pippa emails you hints, tips and advice about your chosen veg. From just £39 for up to 66 garden-ready plants, 6 packets of seed and the weekly emails. Pippa’s website now also offers a great selection of growing frames, cloches, raised bed kits and biological controls.

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43

Cryptic Crossword Across 1. Quiet paramour related to a sandpiper? (6) 4. Talc silo fixed for a nymph (8) 9. Right round, broke and stout (6) 10. Lent rags set to choke (8) 12. Arisen to alter witnesses (8) 13. Girl with novices’ records (6) 15. Haggard decapitated relative (4) 16. Russian lady Sinatra battered (7) 20. Scheme little Edward placed in the soil (7) 21. A new way to become smaller? (4) 25. Singer turns to leave office (6) 26. Tunes Ali set out to cover (8) 28. Undisguised container upset (8) 29. Meal pa threw together for the girl (6) 30. Chaos red Doris dealt with (8) 31. A beastly Scottish swimmer! (6)

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Down 1. Ian harps on about these fish (8) 2. Oregon tearing with the teeth going around (8) 3. Guarantee Nereus broke! (6) 5. Voice in Montreal to sing (4) 6. Student meriting knowledge (8) 7. Gesture concealed in a sling (6) 8. Seas do churn at this port (6) 11. Clutter occupying one city (7)

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14. Place near Sol, surprisingly (7) 17. Book illuminator; a nuisance! (8) 18. Bounder – claims dead bodies (8) 19. Teenager making produce (8) 22. The man Ronald could be! (6) 23. Evaluate the donkey on three points (6) 24. Sucker by little Lincoln, a president (6) 27. King put in charge for nothing (4)

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Community News

Braeside & Mannofield Community Council (“BMCC”) News Since our previous newsletter we have moved into 2012 but, at the time of writing, no snow!

There has been an increase in certain crimes in the area with car and house break-ins being of particular concern. Residents are reminded to reduce the risk of these crimes by: Leaving lights on when they are out and/or using timer switches to activate/de-activate lighting in the house.

Securing vehicles and properties – a high percentage of break-ins arise through not securing or inadequately securing cars/ houses.

Leaving valuables out of sight.

The Community Council have lobbied for additional anti-speeding measures, particularly on Countesswells, Craigton and Springfield Roads. Hopefully, by the time you read this newsletter there will have been a discernable improvement. It has also been highlighted to the police that a number of cars are being driven dangerously at the shops at Countesswells where drivers are moving onto the wrong side of the road, around the traffic island, usually to avoid waiting a minute or two until a bus moves on – action will be taken!

Residents, particularly those in the vicinity of the former Braeside Infant School site, should be aware that the planning consent for the so-called “temporary modular units” has been extended for a further five years. The threat of housing on the site remains and is not affected by this extension.

The Community Council has limited funds available for a contribution to local organisations/groups in the BMCC area. Any

application should be made to The Treasurer at 1, Airyhall Avenue, AB15 7QP. A reminder for those using the recycling facility beside the Airyhall Library/ Community Centre, please do not leave rubbish lying beside the containers and if you have cardboard boxes, these should be compacted and put inside the receptacles. If the bins are full, please take your litter home.

Fines are being levied for non-compliance!

Could you do with a break this Winter?

Bonn-na-Coille Cottages Two exclusive one- bedroomed self-catering cottages in Ballater. Ideal for couples. Short breaks available. VisitScotland 4* (one with disabled grading) No Smoking, sorry, no Pets T: 01224 585500 M: 07980 965 901

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Community News

C

onst. MacKinnon gave a summary of the Quality of Life incidents and Priority Crimes reported for the period 1st to 31st January. The statistics are similar to those of the last few months with the majority of incidents related to Public Nuisance calls and vandalism to or theft from (unsecured) vehicles. As the statistics include the areas of Ferryhill and Mannofield, they are not quoted here but a breakdown can be had by contacting the secretary on 01224 324191.

There was a discussion with regards to parking and obstruction in Beaconsfield Lane which is a private lane. Most days, there are between 10 and 20 cars parked in the lane during office hours and these often constitute an obstruction of residents’ garages and rear gates. The police are not able to deal with this matter because it is a private lane but would issue notice if a car was determined to have been abandoned and deemed to be a hazard to the public. Mr Grant stated that he was aware of an abandoned car which had taken a year to be removed and that repeated calls to the police had proved fruitless.

Residents are asked to continue to be vigilant in respect of those who they suspect are committing crime. Any concerns that they may have should be reported to Grampian Police (0845 6005700) or Crimestoppers (0800 555111).

Mr Henderson advised that another drop-in event is planned for 7pm on 28th February at the Rubislaw Church Centre. He will email the secretary with a poster/flyer for the notice board so that a larger attendance might be achieved. He was asked about the regulations governing stopping on double yellow lines.

He stated that this was only permissible for the purposes of loading/unloading. If a private vehicle was seen parked on a double yellow, say outside a local shop, the wardens have a 5 minute period before a fixed penalty can be issued and this power is used at their discretion.

Queens Cross And Harlaw Community Council Minutes Discussion centred around planning issues, with particular reference to the proposed replacement building at the site of the Grampian Court Hotel. As Mr Goldie was not present, Miss Macpherson will appraise him of the situation and pass on copies of residents’ letters of objection to the proposal.

There is also concern about the proposal for a large extension to the rear of Maryfield West Nursing Home on Queen’s Road. Not only will the development overshadow properties backing onto Queen’s Lane South, but it is felt that provision for parking is inadequate and that service vehicle movements will constitute a hazard in a narrow lane of this residential area.

Union Terrace Garden/City Garden Project ballot papers are being sent out and must be returned by 1st March. The Community Council remains unconvinced of any merit to the ‘Granite Web’ design and is opposed to the proposal of the TIF scheme.

Cllr. Stewart reported that an action group has been formed to protect Hazlehead Park and lobby for grant assistance similar to that awarded to Duthie Park.

Community News Have Your Say – Join Craigiebuckler and Seafield Community Council Craigiebuckler and Seafield Community Council Our meeting on 07 February was well attended by local residents. The main item on the agenda was the decision by the Council to grant planning permission for a household waste recycling centre in the Grove Nursery, Hazlehead Avenue.

Residents debated the cost implications of mounting a legal challenge to this unpopular and controversial decision.

Councillor Martin Greig reported that a number of residents have formed a group known as “The Hazlehead Volunteers”. They are looking ahead to protect and improve the whole of the green spaces and the amenities of Hazlehead Park, Policies, Woodlands and sports areas.

Anyone interested in joining “The Hazlehead Volunteers” is asked to contact Cllr Greig by e-mailing mgreig@aberdeencity.gov.uk The next meeting of Craigiebuckler and Seafield Community Council is on Tuesday 03 April (first Tuesday of the month) at 7.30 pm in the “Douglas Lounge”, Craigiebuckler Church Hall. Anyone wishing to become a member of the Communtiy Council is asked to contact the Chairperson, William Sell by email at: williamsell@hotmail.co.uk .

Braeside and Mannofield

Community Council Meet at Airyhall Community Centre

At 7pm Next Two Meetings for your diary are : Wednesday 28 March Wednesday 25 April

Make A Gift That Will Make A Difference DAWGS finds loving new homes for abandoned and unwanted dogs, and for those whose owners due to frailty or ill- health find they can no longer take care of them.

We have given thousands of dogs a second chance over the last 15 years.

We receive no statutory funding and rely on donations and legacies to fund our caring work.

Recent legacies have helped fund emergency vet bills, emergency kennel care and animal behaviourists and trainers in special situations.

Please help us give more dogs the chance to live out their lives in a safe and loving home through a donation or legacy.

For more information contact:

6 Small Holdings Lang Stracht Aberdeen Tel 01224 208989 email: dawgs@dawgs.co.uk Scottish Charity Number: SCO22666

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47

community clubs & groups adult groups 48

Adult Choi Kwang Do Inchgarth Community Centre Garthdee Wed 8pm-9pm Tel Claire : 746778 Indoor Bowling @ Holburn West Church 2-4 pm Friday Bon Accord MBC Hockey tel : 01224 572075 www.bonaccordmbc.net email : info@bonaccordmbc.net Seafield Bowling Club Cromwell Gdns : A Leaper, Treasurer Tel 319985 If you are interested in an outdoor pursuit among friends?

Rubislaw Tennis Club Cromwell Gardens Offers friendly and competitive tennis for all ages.

Membership info David Stead (Sec) Tel: 07811 748512 Tues Coffee Holburn West Church - Coffee & biscuits every Tues 10:30 - 11:30 All welcome.

Aberdeen Choral Society Mike Longhurst tel : 861629 @ Queens Cross Church Hall 7.30-9.30pm The Bridge Club : tel : 01224 322719 (Sally Reid) 14 Rubislaw Terrace Granite City WRI Ruthrieston Community Centre, 536 Holburn Street, Meets 4th Wed of the month, Sept to Jun. 7pm – 9pm. All welcome: Tel 571131 or 316266 University of Third Age (U3A): tel 702836 Marion. Informal learning for the retired & semi-retired.

Monday Club : tel : 01224-322946 Queen’s Cross Church Hall - Mon’s 2-4pm. Friendly games of bridge & scrabble - beginners welcome - All Ages Royal Horticultural Society Abdn tel : 781171 1st Tues in Mar @ 7.30pm Girl’s Brigade Hall, 19a Victoria St The Learig Orchestra Tel : 322617 Brian Priestley Welcomes string, brass & woodwind players of all standards to its rehearsals at Woodend Hospital on Tues at 7.30pm Old Time Dance Classes Dunbar St Hall, Old Aberdeen - 7.45pm - 10pm 1st & 3rd Tues each month £4.00 per night Tel : James Watson : 314953

Scottish Country Dancing RSCDS Aberdeen classes for adults have now finished for the season - starting again next September!

During the summer we run Summer Socials to which all Scottish Country Dancers are welcomed. Every Wednesday from 2nd May to the end of August at Curl Aberdeen from 7:30 - 9:45 - not suitable for complete beginners - but if you have done Scottish Country Dancing before we look forward to seeing you! For more information call 01224 636128.

Aberdeen Chorus - Sweet Adelines Int’ Britannia Hotel, Bucksburn, Mon 7.30 10pm Tel: Debbie 07967629272 Silver City Blues - Swimming Club Hazlehead Pool Mon 8.30 - 10pm, Kincorth Pool Tues 9 - 10 pm or Kincorth Pool Thurs 830 - 10pm.

Contact Bill Reid on 745244 or 07796 248961 Senior Citizens Group Tues (2-4pm) Airyhall Community Centre. New members always welcome Interested, contact 318698 (sec) The City of Aberdeen Probus A Club for retired businessmen & professionals. Meet on Wed am’s twice monthly (Sept - Jun), (Aberdeenshire Cricket Club) A wide range of talks on many topics fm interesting speakers. Other activities incl occasional lunches, trips, bowling & golf competitions. New members welcome. Chris Blunt, Tel. 317298 Airyhall Community Centre Bowling Section Meets Mon/Wed/Fri 10-12 – Fri pm 2-4 £6 for session £4 to join community centre Limited spare bowls if you don’t have your own.

Tel : 318103 (Bill Setter) Granite City Speakers Club Meet every two weeks on Friday nights at 8.0pm in Aberdeen Arts Centre, Secretary: Fred Stewart, tel 723937 Our club offers a warm friendly atmosphere, advice and support. New members & visitors welcome.

Aberdeen Kilt Kickers American Square Dance Club Meets at WRI Hall, Cults Beginners from September 7.30 - 9.00pm £2.50 per night Fred Gibb, Tel 486665

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Woodend Bowling Club 285 King’s Gate, A. McCulloch Secretary Tel. 317317 Friendly and relaxing outdoor activity: new members welcome.

Aberdeen Gaelic Club Brings together Gaelic speakers and individuals interested in Gaelic language and culture. Gaelic language evening classes & weekend courses plus social activities. tel 0777 939 8289, e clubgaidhlig@googlemail.com or http://aberdeengaelic.wordpress.com.

Holburn West Church Tennis 12a Ashley Park South Open Apr - Oct Annual Subs & Family Membership at Bargain Prices New members always welcome Small friendly Club Sally Davis (sec) Tel. 326111 Aberdeen Bowling Club Come and join us for a game of bowls at 50 Carlton Place. Tel.643233 Woodburn Walkers Enjoy the countryside, meet new friends, keep fit – join the Woodburn Walkers. Age: 55+. Transport: Hire Bus. Fortnightly: Tues Start Point: Hazlehead Park. Time: 9am for 9.15am.

Average Distance: 7 miles Tel: 318313 & 821753 Yoga Teacher : Florence Wed 1030-1130, Broomhill Activity Centre 050 t : 316278 £2 per class It’s wonderful!

Bon Accord branch – Sugarcraft Guild Meets at Rubislaw Park Care Home Last Mon of month, 7-9pm Learn lots through demos and workshops £5 per meeting (incl refreshments) – friendly & informal group, enjoyable at all skill levels. Call Madeleine Fraser 591672 for a programme Viking Hiking (Nordic Walking) One hour sessions each Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sun at 10am, Meet at Hazlehead main car park (behind the Park Restaurant). Info fm John Greig Tel. 321088 Aberdeen Humanist Group Skene House Hotel, 6 Union Grove Monthly meetings for those with a secular life-stance. Interesting speakers and topics for discussion.

Tel : M Richardson - 01888-562237

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Northern Arts Club 8 Bon Accord Square, Aberdeen Come along to draw and paint on Wednesdays 10-12.30pm. Tutor session 1st Wed. of every month.

Contact Jacqueline 586928 Life Drawing Class 8 Bon Accord Square, Aberdeen Saturday morning 10-1pm Please contact Ian 484040 Bridge Tuition Beginner and intermediate Thursday evening, call Margaret 868230 Room/s for hire 8 Bon Accord Square, Aberdeen Do you need a new venue for your book club/ chess club/choir/art & craft club, then contact Jacqueline 586928 Aberdeen Tai Chi Chuan ‘88 Authentic tai chi, thorough tuition.

Cults Church Hall, 6.30pm Wed £3.50. First class free. Don Wells Rotary Club of Aberdeen Deeside Weekly on a Wed. at 6.15pm for 6.45pm in Cults Hotel. Rotary is a Service Organisation for community and international needs putting “Service before Self”. Take a look at www. aberdeewndeesiderotary.org.uk to see our range of activities and speakers, or come along and see what we get up to. Contact secretary Quentin Tweedie 868218 Iyengar Yoga Classes ; Tues 12 - 1pm & 1pm - 2pm at citymoves Tues 7.30 - 9.30 pm & Wed 7.15 - 9.15 at South Holburn Parish Church. All classes run by Fiona Bochel, Cost is £5 an hour, tel 861347 Like walking?

Then why not join the “Seafield Walking Group”.

It’s a great way of keeping fit, socialising and getting out into the countryside! For further information contact Elinor Tel. 314609.

Tango Aberdeen Argentine tango dance classes Wed & Sun evenings fm 7.30pm £6 (Conc £4) Discover the passion & elegance of Argentine Tango www.tangoaberdeen.com Keep Fit Class, the Swedish Way! Day: Monday Time: 5.30pm Fitness, flexibility and strength,“all round exercise to great music”. No need to book, just turn up and have fun while working out!

For more info : contact Sue 07766218880 Mannofield Church Hill Walking Club Monthly trips to the Cairngorms. New members welcome. Contact Peter Stewart for a programme.

313721 or p.stewart1@btinternet.com .

Rubislaw Church Centre Fountainhall Road/Beaconsfield Place Open Monday - Friday morning for teas, coffees etc Full access and facilities for those with disabilities Rooms available for hire - contact 645477 www.rubislawchurch.org.uk Jog Scotland Meets at RGU Sport Garthdee Road Wed 6pm Contact Mandy 322158 Jog Scotland - Airyhall Meets outside Airyhall Community Centre Tuesday 7pm. Contact Julie 325 830 or www.jogscotland-airyhall.co.uk Rotary club of Aberdeen St. Nicholas At present we are canvassing for new members,we are a very friendly club who meet for lunch,friendship and business every Monday 12.45 for1.00 pm at the Northern Hotel.If you are interested you are welcome to join us any Monday lunch time. If you would like to find out more click on to rotary 1010.co.uk select clubs and go to Aberdeen St. Nicholas or telephone Ernie on 641299/312493.

Airyhall CommCentre badminton group meets weekly on Mondays 8pm to 10pm new session starts 5/9/11 New members welcome.

Annual sub to join centre is £6 plus nightly fee of £1.00. Phone David Campbell 321301 or e mail david@david143.doo.co.uk Hatha Yoga Tues17.45 – 18.45, The Aberdeen Yoga centre, 8 Bon Accord Sq Thurs 10.00 – 11.30 / Fri 10.15 – 11.45 Fri 12.05–1255, Queens Cross Church, Session Rm Tel: 648475 or moira.chicometrics@gmail. com Registered Yoga Scotland teacher Craigiebuckler Seniors Club Criagiebuckler Church Hall 1st Wed of every month 2-4pm speakers/entertainment/teas/coffees £1 per person, all‘seniors’welcome Badminton Monday - 7.30pm at Ruthrieston West Church Hall, Broomhill Road Tel : 315491 Woodend Bridge Club Woodend Bowling Club Bridge on Mon evening, Tue evening and Friday afternoons. Ample free parking. Contact Chris Blunt 317298 Craigiebuckler & Seafield Community Council craigden10@live.com We will discuss issues affecting our community and decide on strategies for resolving them. 7.30pm in

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Craigiebuckler Parish Church hall Winter Fit Class – Airyhall Community Centre Monday 7.10-8.00pm, start from 7th November Circuit based class specifically designed to strengthen muscles for ski-ing, snowboarding, running & cycling. For more info contact helenewen1@btinternet.com or call 07736 247911 Airyhall Choral Ensemble ACE Juniors and ACE Seniors. Both groups meet at the Airyhall Community Centre on Fridays, Juniors meet at 3.30pm & Seniors at 4.30pm.

Cost: £28 per pupil for a term of eight classes.

Telephone: 433163 Valerie Kemp or for more info & bookingform http://tutorsalliance.co.uk/Music-Lessons.php Friskiis & Svettis Exercise Class Senior Basic : Monday 9.50 Friday 10am £2.50 per class. Drop in - come as often as you like. Cairncry Community Centre Tel : Gunilla - 319377 Adult Italian Classes: Hillview Community Church - Cults Email enrica.conti@tiscali.co.uk Tel 07786 827714 Morven Singers We are a 4 part Choir singing a wide variety of music. We meet in Ruthrieston Church Hall, Broomhill Road on Wed 7.30p.m. to 9.30p.m.

Interested, contact Tel 07519 749 258.

Airyhall Ramblers: Over 50s Walking Group Walks fortnightly on Wednesdays, average distance 6/7 miles. Transport provided, meeting near Airyhall School at 9.15. Friendly folk, good exercise. Interested? Contact Anne Ross 314524 Exercise the fun way, the Swedish way!

Fun & effective all over body workout to lively music! Hilton Community Centre, Hilton Road.

No need to book, just turn up & enjoy.

Tuesday 6.30pm-7.30pm faye53@btopenworld.com No fancy keep fit gear required, just comfortable clothing & trainers, maybe a bottle of water! For further info, contact Faye 07738 786926

49

parent and toddler groups

community clubs & groups Mannofield Mother & Toddlers 10am - 1130am Wed for children aged 0-3. & 10am-11.30am Fris for children aged 0-3. Mannofield Church, Gt Western Rd All welcome - friendly, sociable groups Holburn West Mothers & Toddlers Meet on a Wed fm 0930 & Fri fm 9.45am Parent and Toddler Group Wed (not school hols) fm 9.45 - 11.15 Rubislaw church centre, beaconsfield pl NCT Bumps and Babies Queens Cross Church,Thurs fm 2 - 4pm ‘Toots’ Playgroup Airyhall Community centre 2’s Group 1 ½ to 2 ½ - Tues & Thurs 9.30 to 11.30 Playgroup – 2 ½ onwards – Mon, Wed & Fri 9.30 – 11.30am Holburn West Playgroup Meet on a Wed fm 930am Babies andToddlers Mon 0945-1200 Crown Terr Methodist Church Friendly group for parents/carers of children aged 0-3 Cost £1 incl refreshments.

861209/733276 or 01330 823480 e-mail:

Kids Crew Playgroup.2yrs 8mnths. Mon, Wed, Fri mornings 9.30am12pm. Funded Places available. + Two’s Group.Wed, Thurs 9.30-11am. Both groups at Ferryhill Community Centre, Albury Road, Ferryhill. Tel : 584118.

Playgroup @ Ruthrieston Comm Centre ‘Playshed’, Holburn St Mon-Thurs 9.15-11.15. fm 2 yrs 6 mnths. £3.50 per session - includes healthy snack. Call 572211 Children’s Football Tel Alison - 314669 Football for children fm age 21/2 up to P3.

Held at Kingswells and Airyhall. www.aberdeenfootballfun.co.uk NCT Waddling - Toddling Mon @ St Francis of Assisi Church, Deeside Dr, Mannofield 10-11.30, drop in group for mums to be, parents & carers of babies & toddlers birth - preschool www.nct.org.

time at Rubislaw Church Centre.

For children aged 0 to 5 years. £2 per session discounted rate for additional children. For further information contact Margaret 587144 or Caroline 566141 The 123 Group, Craigiebuckler Church Hall, Every Thurs 2-4pm, Adult and Child group; children fm babies up to the age of 3 are all welcome. Costs £8 per month, with lots of fun activities, crafts and healthy snacks provided for the children. For more information, please email the123group@ yahoo.com, or call Pauline (07793 325278) Aberdeen Dolphin Swimming Club Swim School for children fm 4 years old.

Lessons at Hazlehead & Hazlewood Pools.

Coaching for children who would like to train and swim competitively.

Contact Louise Lindsay (membership secretary) on 596709 for more info.

South Holburn Church Parent and Toddler Group uk/in-your-area/aberdeen/W2T E-mail: fmdfindon@aol.com Queen’s Cross Parent & Toddler Group Queens Cross Church Mon 9.30-11.30 Children Parents with babies and toddlers aged 0-4 & their grown-ups are very welcome. £1.50 0 - 3 are invited to join us to meet other babiesand toddlers@aberdeenmethodist.org.uk parents ove a cup of tea or coffee and play Gaelic Parent & Child Group Midstocket Playgroup, with your child in a welcoming, childGilcomstoun Primary School Mon, Wed & Fri Midstocket Parish Church, Harcourt Rd. 9.15-11.30. You don’t have to speak Gaelic to friendly setting. Thursday mornings 9.15 2.5 - 5 year olds. Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri - 11.15am. during school terms.

09.15 - 11.45, Mon,Tues,Thurs 13.00- 15.30. attend. Mairi Morley 07900 337122, Funded places available. Tel. 07542 256703 e : gaelic@aberdeencity.gov.uk.

Singing Tots www.midstocketplaygroup.co.uk 6mths - 3 yrs Mon 945-1015 & 1045 -1115 Rubislaw Playgroup Playgroup: Rubislaw Church Centre Rubislaw Church Centre. Mon to Fri 9:15phone or text : 07745 924449 • Domestic cleaning 11:45; from 30 mths to school age. Funded info@singingtots.org /www.singingtots.org • Commercial cleaning* places available. Call 07747 830386 b/n Toddler Time : • Affordable rates 9:30 & 12:15 or email rubislawplaygroup@ Wed 09:15–11:15 term time. Friendly, hotmail.co.uk • Flat cleans welcoming group for parents & children aged Toddlers and 2s: 0-4. Cost 50 pence, inc snacks & refreshments • House sitting** Rubislaw Church Centre. Enjoy play, craft, New Life International Church, Leadside Road, singing and snack.

AB25 1TW Michelle - 07808 932 907 call today for a free quote Toddlers: Up to 2 yrs; Wed 9:30-11:30 Ruthrieston West Church Twos Group Tel : 01224 879 158 2s Group: 2 to 3 yrs; Tues 9:30-11:30. Call Fri 9.45 - 11.00 ( During term time) Age 1year Mob: 07789 440 069 07747 830386 b/n 9:30 & 12:15 or email 10 months + £2.50 per child per session. For (*small offices) (**for utilities/repairs) rubislawplaygroup@hotmail.co.uk/ more information phone Lynne on 01224 Messy Play 314692 Rubislaw Church Centre. Enjoy messy play Teeny Beats for ages 2 to 5. Wed & Fri 1:15-3pm. Call Fun singalong with musical instruments.

07747 830386 b/n 9:30 & 12:15 or email Meets on a Tuesday 2pm - 3pm during term rubislawplaygroup@hotmail.co.uk/

New Class Mannofield Church Wednesday 11:45-12:30 £4 - Laura 07773021851 50

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Albury Sports Centre At the beginning of 2011 a group of local residents with Sports Aberdeen formed to save the sports centre from closure.

It is now run by a great bunch of volunteers who help provide facilities for tennis, bowling and putting and welcome users from all over Aberdeen.

We had a very successful first season and an open day that attracted over 200 people.

We have introduced a membership scheme and also happy for people to pay and play.

There is also an excellent tennis coaching programme for people of all ages and abilities.

kids groups

The centre was awarded a Beacon plaque

by Tennis Scotland, which is a great achievement for a first season.

Girls Brigade : Meet Tues in Queens Cross Church Hall Explorers P1-3 : 5pm-6.30pm Juniors P4-7 : 6pm-7.30pm Brigaders S1-6 : 6pm-8pm Morag Pirie - 01358-742621 Girls Brigade : Are you in P1-P3? Looking for some fun? Then come and join us we meet every Thurs @ South Holburn Church, Holburn St. Tel : Lesley Bills - 01224596596 Rainbows, Brownies, Guides tel : 01224 638685 for your nearest group Beavers, Cubs, Scouts : tel : 01224 208426 for your nearest group Boys Brigade HQ : tel : 01224 644400 for your nearest group 17th Aberdeen Cub Scouts : Thurs @ 1800h Scout Hall, Ruthrie Terr Tel Jacqui Duncan : 07703 435 251 or email : jacqui4bs@hotmail.co.uk

Bowling, Putting and Tennis The Albury Outdoor Sports Centre is due to re-open to the public for the new season on Saturday 14th April so it’s time to dust off the sports equipment and plan ahead to make the most of the season.

As the success of the Centre is totally dependent on having sufficient volunteers, we would urge you to consider helping out this year. Even if you can only manage a couple of hours once a week or once a month, all assistance is much appreciated.

Plus, it’s great fun!

We have a great website called

Alburysportscentre.org

with all our info and photos. Or call the Albury on : 01224 - 571683

Choi Kwang Do : Inchgarth Community Centre Garthdee Mond 4.45-5.45 Thurs 6-7pm Tel Claire - 746778 After School Bridge classes : Wed at The Bridge Club 14 Rubislaw Terrace P6-7 - Anytime fm 3.00-4.30.

S1-6 - Anytime fm 3.00-5.30 , Sally Reid : 01224 - 322719 ATC 107 Squadron Open to new members, male & female aged 13 – 16. Also looking for enthusiastic adult staff, male & female to join the team., Prince Charles Cadet Centre, Albury Road, Ferryhill, Aberdeen Mon & Weds 19.00 - 21.30. Tel. 01224 590679 www.107aircadets.org.

Highland Dancing Classes Is your child interested in starting a new hobby, Highland Classes are available at Craigiebuckler Church and Danscentre through Carolanne Sinclair . Open to all levels of experience, with beginners classes starting at aged 5 & over. Contact Carolanne directly on 07972104774 or by email at sinclair_

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carolanne@yahoo.com New class after the summer at Mannofield Church on Wed afternoons.

Fun Kids Yoga Airyhall Community Centre Tues 4-4.30pm (4-7 yrs) & 4.30-5pm (8-13 yrs) Call 07967 647 220 or go to www. louisayoga.co.uk Youth Hockey Coaching Tuesday evenings 5.15pm-6.30pm from September to March for children from P4 to S4. Coaching provided by Gordonians Hockey Club at RGC astroturf pitches on Countesswells Road. Children from all schools are welcome. More details are available at www.gordonianshockey.com

51

The Handy Household - The Benefits of Bicarb Whether you know it as baking soda, bicarbonate of soda, sodium bicarbonate or simply, bicarb, no home should be without this wonder product. While it’s regularly used in cooking as a raising agent, bicarbonate of soda has many more household uses offering an economical, non-toxic and effective remedy for a whole host of health, beauty and cleaning challenges.

Its deodorising powers are second to none – a slight dusting under the arms or in your shoes will keep you smelling fresh all day and if the cat litter tray starts to offend, just sprinkle some bicarb in the bottom to neutralise those nasty odours. In fact, bicarb can be used to deodorise everything from dishwashers to fridges, and a soak in a diluted solution, will freshen up any kitchenware from old thermos flasks to coffee makers.

Always keep some in the bathroom because if you run out of toothpaste, bicarb mixed into a paste with water, will do the job just as well. This miracle paste also makes a fantastic skin exfoliator and can also be used to soothe itchy insect bites or, diluted with water, can be drunk as a cure for indigestion.

What’s more, if you add it to your bath water it will even soften your skin.

Its ability to cut through grease and oil stains make it particularly handy for adding to your weekly wash, or cleaning burnt pans or even for unblocking drains – simply pour down some bicarb, followed by boiling water.

Need any more convincing? Well, it’s also an effective fire extinguisher and can douse the flames of small kitchen fires. No home should be without it.

Taoist Tai Chi

revised the ones already learnt. It is called a ‘set’ – the whole formation of exercises – to remember all the moves in the correct sequence takes YEARS and some!

As you all know, I embark on things with gusto! Well Tai Chi was one of my 2011 objectives. It had taken me three years to actually get along to a beginners class.

Wednesday at 5.30 at Ferryhill Parish Church was my chosen venue. Gabriella my instructor; Mike and Freda my corners; Jamie and Kenny my fellow beginners who stuck out the whole course!

I wasn’t sure what to expect – other than it was slow, exact movements that are apparently very good for you. I was open and ready to learn. Those that know me well – know that I can chat, enjoy a laugh and being quiet and concentrate for two hours would be a challenge. You’d be proud of me. I was totally absorbed.

I have only just completed my beginner’s course. Have made some new friends and am enjoying the health benefits of doing Tai Chi. Gabriella was an excellent and thorough instructor and Mike and Freda were most competent and fun in the corners. Anybody that has been thinking about it has the opportunity to start a new beginner’s course at the end of March. You won’t regret it – that’s for sure.

We had 108 moves to learn, a daunting task but each week we learnt a few more and

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Local Events Diary ART CLASSES & WORKSHOPS WEDNESDAY DRAWING & PAINTING 1.30 – 3.30 AIRYHALL COMMUNITY CENTRE

THURSDAY DRAWING & PAINTING 9.30 – 11.30 RUTHRIESTON COMMUNITY CENTRE

WEEKEND AND EVENING WORKSHOPS HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN THE LOVELY SURROUNDINGS OF THE GORDON HIGHLANDERS MUSEUM

Need to clear your bookshelves? Then why not

donate your old books to The Mercat Bookshop? We urgently need books. Can you help? We can collect all your unwanted books between now and 30th March 2012.

Please contact: VSA, 38 Castle Street, Aberdeen, AB11 5YU Tel: 01224 212021, email: gillian.simpson@vsa.org.uk * Collections within a 5 mile radius of Aberdeen City

Registered Scottish Charity SC 012950

ABERDEEN - Ferryhill Parish Church Hall, Fonthill Road, Abdn AB11 6UD Open House : Wednesday 7 March 5.30 - 7.30pm New Beginners Class starts Wednesday 14 March 5.30 7.30pm CULTS - WRI Hall, Kirk Brae, Cults, Aberdeen AB15 9QR Open House : Wednesday 7 March 7.00 – 9.00pm New Beginners Class starts Wednesday 14 March 7.00 – 9.00pm DYCE - Carnegie Hall, Skene Place, Dyce, Aberdeen AB21 7AY Open House : Wednesday 7 March 7.00 – 9.00pm New Beginners Class starts Wednesday 14 March 7.00 – 9.00pm ABERDEEN - Midstocket Church Hall, Harcourt Road, Aberdeen AB15 5NZ Open House: Tuesday 20 March 7.30 – 9.30pm New Beginners Class starts Tuesday 27 March 7.30 – 9.30pm

Please visit our website www.taoist.org.uk or phone 07929 332036 for local details.

CLASSES SUITABLE FOR ALL FOR INFORMATION AND BOOKING PLEASE CONTACT ROSEMARY TAYLOR : 01224 649383 rosemarytaylor@sky.com Come along and view the Northern Arts Club annual Art Exhibition and Sale.

8 Bon Accord Square, Aberdeen Original paintings at affordable prices.

For two weekends only Saturday 24th March and Sunday 25th March, 10.30am to 4.30pm Saturday 31st March and Sunday 1st April, 10.30am to 4.30pm Admission Free

21st Annual Animal Blessing Service Craigiebuckler Church Hall Aberdeen on Sunday 10th June 2012 at 3pm All animals with their human companions welcome For more information please contact me at: forrester.m1@sky.com

Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

53

the one stop business shop ...

Christie Wood Joinery

Adair & McIntosh Ltd

M : 07850 086241 All types of joinery work undertaken, Bathroom and Kitchen installation, Windows, doors, flooring and property maintenance.

All trades supplied.

M : 07847 110 985 www.adairandmcintosh.co.uk Ex British Gas Engineers with over 20 years experience.

Full installations, boiler replacements, servicing, breakdowns, landlords certificates, power flushing.

H : 311342

Jane Crofts Gibb Private Tutor Tel. 323671 Mob: 07717 717 913

French and German, English (as foreign language). Expert tuition: 1-1 or groups. Beginners to advanced for exam help or conversation. Reasonable rates.

E:jcroftsg@yahoo.co.uk

Tel : 210687

BONDING WITH BABY Contact: Laura Henderson 07426 456 810

Infant Massage & Rhythm Kids® courses at Queens Cross Church, Aberdeen £40 per 6 week course bondingwithbaby@yahoo.co.uk

Rona’s Mobile Hairdressing

House : 01224 323774 Mobile : 07905 927 101

Have your hair done in the comfort of your own home.

Reasonable rates.

Philip Garden Painter & Decorator Tel : 735341 Mob : 07902178825

Free Quotes No VAT

www.iaimbabymassage.co.uk/laurahenderson

Charity reg no. 207994 (England & Wales), SC038731 (Scotland) Q053

Marie Curie Cancer Care’s

Whole Hog Challenge

May 27, 2012 Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire

The muddiest race in Scotland Sign up now at www.mariecurie.org.uk/wholehog or call 08700 340 040 54

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Maths Tutor Contact: Anne Ashley on 07973 864953 E:amaberdeen@hotmail.co.uk Maths graduate & qualified teacher Standard Grades/Intermediates & Highers Focussed revision sessions & past paper practice for May Exams. Available in the daytime for pupils on study leave. West End based. Introductory session free £17.50 per hour

Keep Fit, the Fun Way, the Swedish Way Contact Faye: 07738 786 926

Tues 6.30 – 7.30 pm Hilton Community Centre, Hilton Road All round body workout to lively music – just turn up!

Compu-Care

Call Neil 07539-462-064 PC Repairs and Upgrades Aberdeen based. No call out fee. Collect and return service. New systems available. £15 ph standard pc repairs. £25ph networking/internet

Possibilities Counselling and Psychotherapy Centre T: 07593 768 129 E: info@aberdeentherapy.com W: www.aberdeentherapy.com

Liz Pirrie Bookkeeping Solutions

T: 07969 345 400 E: Liz@lizpirrie.co.uk

Contact: Tracey Johnston, Clinical Director

Gain relief from distressing emotions.

Strengthen your relationships.

Change your life for the better. *50% Discounts available for first appointments*

Sole traders and small companies a speciality.

Piano Teacher M: 078901 48059 E: fionapianotutor@live.co.uk

Piano Tuition

Fully Qualified and Experienced : • Grade 8 Distinction • DIP.MUS.ED. R.S.A.M.D.

• Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama

Beginners : all ages and stages welcome.

Why not refresh your bygone skills.

• Exams optional : Associated Board, Piano and Theory Grades 1-8

Reasonable rates Aberdeen City

George Cormack Painter & Decorator T: 01224 827081 M: 07840 650 853

40yrs experience, free estimates, no job to small and no vat.

e:

gcormack@talktalk.net

T : 01224 - 316978

Piano Teacher West End Well established piano teacher has a few vacancies Reflexology

Contact: Anne-Marie Fegen (RGN,MAR) 07803 505 827

Your feet are a map of the entire body. By applying pressure/ massage all organs can benefit,relax and rejuvenate GIVE IT A TRY!!!

the one stop business shop ...

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55

What’s On One of the north- east’s greatest sporting challenges

Set on the River Dee, the challenging 3 km course can only be completed by the very best young athletes.

Event: 17th Aberdeen Asset Management Universities’ Boat Race Date: Saturday 10th March 2012 Venue: The Boat Race will take place on the River Dee in Aberdeen and runs from the Bridge of Dee to Aberdeen Boat Club Time: Title race: 2.45pm Aberdeen University and Robert Gordon University Boat Clubs are to go head to head for the 17th time on Saturday 10th March to compete for the coveted

Aberdeen Asset Management Universities’ Boat Race trophy. The race is long established as one of the north east’s greatest sporting challenges.

The race is sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management and supporters can cheer on the teams at a number of locations along the course and on the banks of the River Dee. The best view points include the King George VI bridge and the Wellington suspension bridge which overlooks the finish line.

To follow the Aberdeen Asset Management Universities’ Boat Race on Twitter go to www.twitter.com/2012BoatRace and become a fan of the race on Facebook by visiting www. facebook.com/AAMBoatRace.

Spring

Craft Fair

Airyhall Community Centre

Saturday, 10 March 2012 11am - 4pm Picture Frames - Candles - Jewellery - Purses - Textiles - Soaps

Cafe serving drinks & snacks

Buy directly from the crafter

Free Entry aberdeencraftbazaar.co.uk www.thegranitecitygazette.co.uk

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Brush stroke with the capital: Painting students took predegree show to Edinburgh Final-year BA (Hons) Painting students at Robert Gordon University’s Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen took on a pre-degree show in Edinburgh last month.

The budding artists showcased their finalyear work in an exhibition organised by the students, entitled ‘Seventeen', at Art’s Complex in Edinburgh.

The exhibition was an opportunity for the students to take their work out of the studio and present it in the arena of a public gallery space. The work being exhibited by the students reflects the wide range of Painting currently being practiced at Gray’s and showcases a broad range of personal interests being developed by the students.

Sophie Radcliffe (21) from Milltimber, has been motivated by her love of fashion to create a bright decorative paintings. Using a scarf design by luxury label Hermes, the former Cults Academy pupil has expanded on this concept developing colours and patterns, and even incorporating small rhinestones, into her large-scale piece.

She explains: “It was great to see my painting in a different light and to also gauge the public’s reaction to it.”

Jamie Barr (21) who lives in the city’s Portland Street, has drawn on his experiences walking in the Scottish countryside to create atmospheric paintings with a sense of place.

He comments: “I’ve always had an attraction to the outdoors and enjoy exploring the countryside around Aberdeen such as Lock Muick near Banchory. Through my paintings, I look to examine our relationship with the natural environment we inhabit and how it can hold a power over our lives.”

Fellow student artist, Kirsty Colyer (23) from Montrose, has created a series of pieces painted directly on to canvas tarpaulins using thick black oil paint and industrial materials.

In a class trip to Venice in October 2011, Kirsty viewed the work of American artist and film-maker Julian Schnabel, who also creates art using tarpaulins and other unusual materials.

Keith Grant, Subject Leader in Painting, comments on the show: “This exhibition was an excellent opportunity for our students to present their work in a professional gallery space and to learn from it ahead of presenting a comprehensive body of work at the Degree Show in June. Bringing the show to Edinburgh presents us with the opportunity to show the diversity of work and talent that is being nurtured here at Gray’s.

It will hopefully have given the public in the Central Belt a taste of the quality of work currently being produced at Gray’s and in the North-east of Scotland.”

Gray’s School of Art Degree Show, sponsored by BP, will be held from Friday 15 – Sunday 24 June.

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Muriel’s Puzzle Pages Calcudoku

x12

4

Pictograms

3

Fill each cell with a number from 1-6. No number can be repeated in any row or column. The numbers in the heavily outlined set of squares (cages) must combine in any order to produce the target number in the top corner, using only the mathematical operator specified: +, -, x or /. Numbers can be repeated within a cage, but not in the same row or column.

6 words

DUTY ALL

3 words

BLO D N NAD

5 words

2 = ltd 3 = mob CODEWORD Each letter in this puzzle is represented by a different number between 1 and 26.

The codes for three letters are shown. Once you have filled these throughout the grid you can start guessing words and reveal other letters. As you find the letters enter them in the box below.

2 3 21

13

4

21

14 9

7

11

3

8 23

26

2

3

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3

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23

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21

Muriel’s Puzzle Pages NUMBER CRUNCHER

Easy Sudoku

1

Easy

2

3

6

8 9

10

11

12

13 14

15

16 18

21

19

17

20

22

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Harder Sudoku

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4

23 25 ©Puzzlepress.co.uk

1.

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6 Down minus 150 (4) 81 squared minus 89 (4) 22 Down minus the square root of 196 (2) 23 Across minus the square root of 529 (2) 9. 4 Down plus 11 Down plus 15 Down minus nine (5) 12. 15 Across plus one (3) 13. 2 Down multiplied by five (3) 14. Seconds in four hours (5) 15. Seconds in seven minutes (3) 16. 4 Down plus 19 Down minus four (3) 18. Seven cubed plus 9 Down plus one (5) 21. One twelfth of 15 Across (2) 23. 5 Down plus two (2) 24. 7 Across plus 15 Across plus 1 Down plus one fifth of 7 Across (4) 25. 17 Down minus 23 Down (4)

Down

Looking for a

Relaxed Atmosphere Personal Attention Wedding Speciality

Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Saturday 9am-1pm CLOSED THURSDAY

Tel : 322000 Devonair Hairstylists 2 Devonshire Road Aberdeen (off St Swithin St)

1. Ounces in 11 stone (4) 2. Five squared (2) 3. 12 Across plus 21 Across plus 23 Down (3) 4. 3 Down plus 19 Down minus one seventh of 23 Across (3) 5. 2 Down multiplied by three (2) 6. 20 Down multiplied by five (4) 9. 23 cubed minus 1066 (5) 10. 9 Down multiplied by four (5) 11. 9 Down minus 26 (5) 15. 69 squared minus 29 (4) 17. 13 Across multiplied by 22 Down (4) 19. 22 Down multiplied by two (3) 20. One fifteenth of 25 Across (3) 22. 21 Across plus 2 Down minus one (2) 23. One sixth of 15 Across (2)

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Spot the Difference

SOLUTION

Calcudoku Ten Differences - Spot the Difference 1. extra tooth 2. scale missing 3. extra spots 4. belly stripe gone

Number Cruncher Solution 5.

6.

7.

8.

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grass nails missing eyes vines sun mouth changed

Cryptic Crossword

Children’s Page Sums 19 42 19 Missing letters GUITAR

Hard Easy

Pictograms 1. All in the line of duty 2 Fair and square 3. Two’s company, three’s a crowd

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WORD SEARCH M U S I C M V O

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61

Who’s Advertising and Where to Find Them ...

Book space with the gazette today 23 March 2012 is the deadline for the April Issue

Tel : 01224-318561

email : gazette@fsmail.net www.thegranitecitygazette.co.uk A pg 6-7 pg 56 pg 54 pg 8 pg 15 pg 53 pg 4 pg 63

Aberdeen City Council - Accord Card Aberdeen Craft Bazaar Adair and McIntosh Alan D Cowie Painter Allure Art Classes & Workshops Arting Around Aquatic Soul Bathrooms

B pg 56 pg 16 pg 47 pg 18-19 pg 10 pg 54 pg 45 pg 39

Babyscanning Be The Change Bonn-na-Coille Cottages Bling Fling Blue Flame Heating Bonding with Baby Braeside & Mannofield Community Council Buchanans Bistro

C pg 38 pg 54 pg 33 pg 35 pg 55 pg 47 pg 12

Ceroc Christie Wood Joinery Ciao Napoli Cocoa Ooze Compucare Craigiebuckler & Seafield Community Council Cumming Fire and Security

D pg 41 DAWGS pg 15&59 Devonair Hairstylists E pg 13

F pg 64 pg 54 G pg 55 pg 8 pg 5

62

E&M Energy

Four Mile House - Ferryhill Hotel Fiona Carter - Piano Tutor George Cormack G-Dec George Crichton Gordon Highlanders Museum www.thegranitecitygazette.co.uk

J pg 54 pg 37

Jane Crofts Gibb Junction Art and Gifts

K pg 55 pg 13 pg 38 pg 2&31

Keep Fit Swedish Style Kenny Davidson - Painter Kingsgate Law Kumiko Beauty

L pg 50 pg 35 pg 55

Laura Walker Ltd Fitness Classes Lilyloft Liz Pirrie Bookkeeping

M 54 pg 55

Marie Curie Cancer Mrs Charles - Piano Tuition

N pg 55 pg 10

Neil Angus - IT North East Floor Sanders

O pg 63

Oven Valet

P pg 31 pg 54 pg 13 pg 55

Paula McEwen Restaurant Philip Garden - Painter Phil Smart - Electrician Possibilities Counselling

R pg 55 pg 54

Reflexology - Anne-Marie Fegen Rona’s Mobile Hairdressing

S pg 11 pg 25 pg 53

Scott Gilmour Optometrist Seafield & Cragiebuckler Community Council Spik n Span

T pg 63 pg 34

The Oven Valet The Reel McCoy

U pg 16

Ultra Beauty

W pg 41 pg 40 pg 30

Waterbabies Wise Life Coaching Wine Uncorked

t : 01224 - 318561

e : gazette@fsmail.net

Design

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Competitive Prices We Take Pride In a Quality Finish Showroom By Appointment Only

www.aquaticsoul.co.uk Tel : 01224 733402

Bathrooms Kitchens

a bespoke florist, offering simple, contemporary designs for all.

Fresh Floral Flower arrangements, specialising in Weddings , Funeral Tributes and Corporate Events.

A complete wedding flower service for todays Bride and groom.

Sue Travis

BESPOKE FLORAL DESIGN

the Oven Valet

www.lilyloft.com sue@lilyloft.com

Tel 01224 325747 Mobile 07738714540

www.thegranitecitygazette.co.uk

Oven Cleaners

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01330 823079 07920483233 www.theovenvalet.com info@theovenvalet.com

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