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Issue 65

April 2012 West End Edition Free Magazine

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A coffee break with Sandy Menzies

West End gazette

23 April 2012 - for May 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 : 01224 - 318561 mob : 07813 964 875

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www.thegranitecitygazette.co.uk

Disclaimer : Whilst weâ€™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.

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 and Amanda Wise Advertising Sales : Sue Simpson : 01224 - 318561

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

the Oven Valet Oven Cleaners

Doing the jobs you hate! Bringing the sparkle back to your oven using non toxic, non caustic products in your home.

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

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Happy Easter... Blue skies, 19 degrees, longer evenings - did we all fall asleep and wake up in another country or really just lose an hour? Anyway - enjoy it whilst it lasts - and clean out that barbeque, you might need it sooner than you think!

The bowling greens are opening up again now and are recruiting new members, old and young! It is a great game and very competitive, as part of a team or playing a singles match. Don’t forget Albury Sports Centre opens this month, so dust off your tennis racquet and shoes and head on down. There is also the putting green for those that don’t enjoy tennis, plus the bowling too. Don’t forget tennis at Westburn Park too.

March certainly stomped through at a fast pace. The highlight has got to be my trip to the theatre to see Dirty Dancing - again! This time I was down in the front stalls, right in amongst the action, with Johnny brushing within inches of me! The cast were even better than I remembered the dancing AMAZING! And yes - I still wanted to get up on the stage with them. The audience was a little more subdued than Glasgow, but it was a Monday evening! Must get tickets for Edinburgh now...

I’d also like to take this opportunity to embarrass my niece (my favourite niece) by wishing her a very Happy 18th Birthday on 20 April. You know who you are!!! We have a lot of milestone birthdays in the family this year - three 18ths, one 21st, one 16th, one 50th and one 70th - so lots of celebrating.

I’ve had a busy month as this is when I help pull together Pushing out the Boat. It is Issue No 11 and our best yet! Definitely worth a purchase when they come on sale in May.

Speaking of celebrating Carol at Wine Uncorked is telling us all about Port in this issue and her next Wine Education Service Intro Course starts at the Athol Hotel on Wednesday, 18 April.

The Ferryhill House and Fourmile Inn have their new summery menus on offer. Ferryhill starts serving food outdoors in the Easter holidays and have a “garden menu” which started on Saturday 1st of April. They also have a brand new playground for the kiddies at Ferryhill too this year. To protect your eyes from our beautiful weather why not pop along to Scott Gilmour Optometrist at Cults. He has a new collection of glasses and sunglasses by Chanel - very nice. Keeping on our sunny theme, Jenny at Kumiko has an article about “unwanted hair”! You could be ‘hair free’ by summer!

Allure Hairdressing at Craigiebuckler had a very successful open evening with a fashion show by Papillion at Cults raising funds for Monty’s Appeal. 150 people attended.

I love hearing from you all, so please keep doing it! It was lovely to help Charlie find a photograph he had been looking for, for years! I hope you have it framed already? Elaine at Junction has her new exhibition starting this month. It is a golden opportunity for you to see up and coming artists and pick up a nice bit of art too. Also the Claremont Gallery has some great workshops during Easter and beyond. Enjoy being out in the fresh air whilst you can and as per usual, go grab that cuppa and enjoy the April issue of the gazette – until next month.

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

Spring Clean Your

It’s a fact that many of us stubbornly hold on to our old favourite ‘can’t live without’ product, even though it lurks deep within a jam-packed make-up bag and is - more often than not the most unappealing looking thing in there. by Helen Jane Taylor

Make-Up Bag Pencil Eyeliner: They are fine to use until you need to replace them, as the tip that is in contact with the eye is constantly being sharpened and therefore kept fairly clean just make sure you always cover the tip with the protective lid.

That perfect shade of red lipstick, easy to apply liner and super-lengthening mascara might do its job expertly, but if it’s been hanging around for months, it may be threatening your health. Although your cosmetics look innocent enough, after being opened they offer a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. And over time, you can end up suffering from some seriously nasty eye infections, skin irritations and blemishes, all because your products are long past their best.

Liquid Eyeliner: Should be treated the same as mascara and replaced every three to four months. As with all eye make-up, never be tempted to share yours or borrow someone else’s - it’s the fastest way to spread an eye infection.

Not all manufacturers place ‘use by’ guidelines on their make-up, so it can be hard to know what is an acceptable amount of time to keep your beauty buys for. So we have compiled a guide to give you the low down on when is the right time to say goodbye to your trusty old product. Mascara: Buy a new one at least every three or four months. Changes in texture and smell can indicate that it’s past its best. If you’ve had an eye infection, then discard the mascara you were using when it started and invest in a new one to avoid re-infection. www.thegranitecitygazette.co.uk

Eye Shadow: Fine for a few years as long as they are stored properly in their original container. Make sure you replace the applicators regularly though and, as with all eye make-up, if you suffer with an eye infection at any point, always replace everything you were using at the time. Foundation: Generally safe to use for around twelve months, foundations should be kept away from direct sunlight or intense heat to ensure a long lifespan. If you use a foundation brush or sponge to apply your make-up, clean them thoroughly on a regular basis.

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3 2

5 7

Left: loveithaveit.com ‘Object D’art’ Make-up Bag £16.99 Right: 1. Estee Lauder ‘Double Wear’ Mascara £19.50, 2. Clinique ‘Cream Shaper Eye Liner’ £14, 3. The Body Shop ‘Liquid Liner’ £9, 4. Clinique ‘Colour Surge Eyeshadow - Spruced Up’ £20, 5. Estee Lauder ‘Resilience Lift Extreme Radiant Makeup’ £30, 6. Clinique Bloom All Over Colour £25, 7. Clinique ‘Different Lipstick’ £16, 8. Clinique ‘Moisture Surge Intense Skin Fortifying Hydrator’ £30, 9. Forever Living ‘Aloe Sunscreen Spray’ £16, 10. Estee Lauder ‘Pure Colour Nail Laquer’ £14

Powder Blusher: Safe to use for a few years as bacteria can’t breed easily in the dry formula, though applicators should be kept clean washing every few weeks is essential. Lipstick: They should really be replaced after a year as they are in constant contact with your mouth. Be aware of changes in smell and texture to determine if it’s time you should be looking for a new one. Moisturiser: Aim to discard moisturisers after six months. Changes in smell and consistency indicate that the product has reached its ‘use by’ date. Sunscreen: Aim to purchase brand new sunscreen every year, as the ingredients that protect you from damaging UV rays can become less potent over time. Nail Varnish: Usually varnish will last for a good twelve months. If after shaking you aren’t able to mix it together, then it’s a sure sign it is ready to be thrown away. Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

Looking for a Relaxed atmosphere Personal attention Weddings our speciality

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

Health, Fitness and Beauty Spotlight on Electrolysis Electrolysis: the use of an electric current applied through a needle to remove body hair for cosmetic purposes. Unwanted facial and body hair is a common problem affecting as many as 80% of ladies in varying degrees. Most areas can be permanently cleared of unwanted hairs with electrolysis including hair on the upper/ lower lip, chin, cheeks, neck, chest, abdomen, underarms, bikini line and the eyebrows. The majority of clients will be happy, well balanced people, with hair growth concerns that are purely ‘cosmetic’; others may be selfconscious or even quite distressed when they make their first consultation for electrolysis. I frequently encounter the perceived problem of hirsutism (male pattern hair growth on females) and can offer helpful and objective advice and information to the client. In some cases, where I feel there may be some abnormal systemic condition, I will refer the client to their GP, who in turn, may make a referral to a specialist. But, in the vast majority of cases, if there is no underlying medical pathology treatment at my centre is the usual outcome. The advice and treatment offered should be sufficient to resolve any normal problem, and the result is usually a restored sense of confidence and wellbeing in the client. Causes of hair growth: • • •

Mechanical Stimulation: Plucking, (including waxing, threading, sugaring), abrasion. Normal Systemic: Puberty, pregnancy, menopause, i.e. times of normal hormonal changes in the body. Abnormal Systemic: Hormone influencing medication i.e. steroids, contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy (HRT), fertility drugs. www.thegranitecitygazette.co.uk

• • •

Disease eg endocrine disorders affecting hormonal secretions from the glands of the body. Operations eg hysterectomy, removal of ovaries. Stress (may only stimulate hair growth when severe and subsequently triggers hormonal imbalance eg anorexia.

Electrolysis is the only proven method of permanent hair removal of unwanted hair, having been around since 1875. About Jenny: Jenny is a former nurse and has been an Electrolysis specialist for over ten years. Jenny is now trained in Advanced Electrolysis/ Advanced Cosmetic Procedures. Jenny uses the Apilus computerised system to offer differing treatment methods to best suit your hair growth and skin type. Unlike laser or IPL, electrolysis is ideal for sensitive skins, dark, light and grey hairs and any colour of skin as it is not affected by pigment in the hair or skin! Electrolysis targets only the unwanted, individual hair and so the skin remains unaffected. It is a progressive treatment resulting in permanent removal of the hair and not just hair reduction! A very fine needle (equal diameter to the hair to be treated) is inserted down the side of the follicle and a mild current is applied. This causes localised destruction at the root of the hair allowing the hair to be lifted out of the follicle. A mild tingling sensation is felt but soon passes with the application of a soothing gel! To find out more contact Jenny at Kumiko beauty and skin care centre 89 Gray Street, Aberdeen Tel: 01224 594777

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Unwanted Facial and Body Hair - solution below Unwanted facial and body hair is a common problem affecting as many as 80% of ladies in varying degrees Electrolysis is the only proven method for permanent removal of unwanted hair. Hair can be permanently removed from : • • • • • • • • •

upper/lower lip chin cheeks neck chest abdomen underarms bikini eyebrows

Bring along this voucher and receive £10 off your 1st Electrolysis treatment Valid until 31 May 2012. May not be combined with any other promotions. One voucher per client.

As a former nurse and an electrolysis specialist, with over 10 years experience, using a fully computerised system why not ...

Book a FREE consultation with Jenny and get started on your hair free programme TODAY! For further info/to book an appointment call : 01224 594777 (quote voucher SP12)

Kumiko beauty and skin care centre 89 Gray Street Aberdeen AB10 6JD

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

Home based salon offering:

Applisonix Ultrasound Hair Reduction Facials Waxing Massage Manicures / Pedicures Eyelash Perm Eyelash Extensions 54 Garthdee Road Aberdeen, AB10 7AX Tel: 07731 768707

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

WANT TO LOOK YOUR BEST FOR SUMMER?!

BODYMAX CLASS Summerhill Church (Grassy area directly opposite, weather permitting)

WED : 6.30-7.30pm FRI : 6.00-7.00pm

GET RESULTS WITHOUT STEPPING FOOT IN A GYM! Fun, full body workout class that targets all areas to boost your metabolism, health, fitness and energy levels. PLEASE CONTACT LEE 07510 054 788 www.leedonaldpersonaltraining.com

Weâ€™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.

Find out more at accordaberdeen.co.uk www.thegranitecitygazette.co.uk

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Keeping Physically and Mentally Agile Keeping your body and mind stimulated will help you to get so much more out of your later years. The changes to life that retirement brings can be quite a shock, even if you have been looking forward to it. Losing the focus of going to work each day can be hard and it is easy to slip into a sedentary lifestyle. But research shows that those who keep active both physically and mentally enjoy a healthier later life. So what can you do? The benefits of activity Regular exercise has a huge number of benefits: it strengthens your muscles, aiding mobility and reducing the risk of falls and conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease and osteoporosis (brittle bones). It also helps to reduce the risk of other conditions, such as diabetes and stroke. It improves coordination and balance and encourages a healthy appetite, regular bowel movements and means you are more likely to sleep well at night. It also stimulates the brain, so that you’re less likely to suffer from stress or depression. Small amounts of regular exercise or activity is better for you than a big burst of energy one day and then nothing for the rest of the week. And exercise doesn’t have to mean going to the gym - there is plenty you can do at home and while you’re out and about to keep active. At home you can tackle the garden - just a little weeding or pruning is using your muscles and keeping them flexible; and even housework is great for strengthening muscles. Try an exercise DVD at home - and ask a friend to join you to make it more fun. Walk as much as you can each day - to the local shops or library and take up some social activities that will encourage you to meet other people as well as exercise, such as dance or arts & craft classes; or keep fit for the over 50s. And, if you have lots of energy, you could even try Zumba, which is fast-paced and fun. All these activities will keep your muscles moving and supple.

Age UK (formerly Age Concern) has a nationwide programme, Fit as a Fiddle, which supports people over 50 with physical activity, healthy eating and mental wellbeing. Find out more at www.fitasafiddle.org.uk Keeping mentally stimulated Studies show that the more you use your brain the more mentally active you’ll remain. As well as slowing down memory loss (although you’re still likely to forget things!), you can also reduce the chances of conditions such as Alzheimer’s. As with physical exercise, keeping mentally active can also help to reduce stress and depression. There are many activities that can help to keep your brain mentally agile. At home you can tackle crossword puzzles, Sudoku or chess. Maybe now is the time to start reading all those books you never had time for when you were working? It is also possible to ‘train’ your mind by using trigger words to jog your memory. Using sticky notes on the fridge will help to remind you of what you need to do that day. Joining groups with common interests will encourage you to meet and interact with new people as well as keeping your mind occupied. Try bingo; learn a new language or how to use a computer; or enrol on a cookery course. Your local council or library will have information on classes and activities for older people - just take your pick! www.ageuk.org.uk/Scotland

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

Aberdeen Sports Council Founded

1985

Fancy being Silly…?

and help to raise money to support local Sportsmen and Sportswomen ??

Aberdeen Sports Council is holding an

It’s a Knockout Competition

at their Family Fun Day in the Duthie Park, on Sunday 27th May.

If you wish to enter a Team of 6 – 12 Adults, contact – info@aberdeensportscouncil.com

or call 07866 910 865 for details. Get your Colleagues,Family or Friends in your Team An Info Pack is available on Latest News Page of

www.aberdeensportscouncil.com 10

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Gymnastics Made Easy in 3 Simple Steps

Why? What? How? Q. Why would I want to put my child forward for gymnastics? A. Gymnastics is a fundamental sport. It supports the development of both physical and mental skills, and many children who take part in Gymnastics training go on to enjoy success in other sports as a result of the fundamental skills developed. Gymnastics encourages the development of skills which will last a lifetime, including increased confidence, improved problem solving skills and enhanced spatial awareness. As with all physical exercise taking part in Gymnastics promotes a state of physical and mental wellbeing. Gymnastics can be enjoyed at a variety of levels and participation can often continue into adulthood through coaching or judging. Taking part in gymnastics can be an investment into a lifetime of wellbeing.

Q. What would I look for and expect from a Gymnastic Club?

A. The concept of City of Aberdeen Gymnastics was first considered in 2007. In 2010 the amalgamation of 2 well respected clubs saw the concept brought to life. The merger of Bon Accord Gymnastics Club originally founded in 1992, and Granitehill Gymnastics Club founded in 2001, ensured that City of Aberdeen Gymnastics took its rightful place as the largest, longest established and most successful club in the city. The club has worked hard to reach this success with collectively over 400 years gymnastics experience within its work force. The Club has had great success at local level through to National level gymnastics. The club is made up of several disciplines of gymnastics and is open to all levels and genders.

The work of the club is supported by a team of highly motivated Coaches, Judges and Committee members, the majority of whom are dedicated volunteers giving up their time to promote the sport for the benefit of all involved. We boast that at present we have 3 generations of the same family coaching within our structure. All our Coaches and Judges are registered through Scottish Gymnastics and are trained and qualified through the British Gymnastics qualification structure. We actively support the development of our Coaches who range from assistant coaches and club judges through to High Performance Coaches and national judges.

Q. How would I get my child involved with gymnastics?

A. As a result of our Coach Development programme which has resulted in an increased number of coaches, we are now in a position to offer more classes. If you are interested in your child taking up this fantastic sport, places are available at a variety of levels, including Baby & Kinder Gym, Recreational Level, Development Levels, through to our more advanced competitive levels. For more information please check out our website www.coag.org

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Be the change My journey of self-discovery moved to the realms of Emo-Trance. No, it is not some weird teenage thing! It is also not sending you into a trance. You are very much awake, aware and intrigued! It is about shifting blockages that are preventing you from performing at your best. Allowing you to move on from something or deal with something immediate. I had taken an uncomplimentary comment made to me and it was bothering me that I was allowing it so much of my time and head space. So first of all I had to stand up, leg’s at shoulder width apart and relax! I then had to visualise this comment in my head and tell Kenny where I was feeling it in my body. I could feel a big nought in my stomach area. Although I did take a while to feel it anywhere... I was assured this is normal. Kenny then places his hands close, but not on your body, where you are feeling it. You then listen to Kenny taking you to a lovely place, where you are feeling the sun on your face and you are wading through warm waters. Your body starts to react. I could feel a slight sway, forwards and backwards. I could also feel a shift from my stomach to my arms. I could then feel tingling in my fingers. Then I got a pain in my leg. Kenny then shifted with each movement to where I was feeling things.

It took a little bit of time but eventually I felt nothing. It felt good and when asked about this person, I didn’t feel anything towards them. I met up with the person that had passed the comment and I could look at them very indifferently. I could interact with them but was not allowing them to interact with me the way they had done in the past. But I now didn’t feel anything towards them. It is now at a point where they almost avoid me! Normally that kind of thing would have harboured with me for a long time. I wouldn’t have addressed it directly with the person, just stewed. I hadn’t wanted them to have so much of my time and now they have none of my time.

Very enriching! Very powerful - but harmless!

Be the change NLP Hypnotherapy EmoTrance

Kenny Lochrie

kenlochrie@gmail.com 07939 668588

The Handy Household - New Ways With Newspapers While we all know that our daily newspaper is a source of news and entertainment, what you might not realise is that it is an extremely useful product to keep around the house. So, next time you’re about to recycle your old newspapers, stop for a minute and consider the following uses. Newspaper is a very absorbent material - it has to be to absorb the ink that’s printed on it. But this means that it’s also fantastic at absorbing all sorts of moisture. One of the most useful ways of taking advantage of this characteristic is that of drying out leather shoes and bags. Simply place crumpled newspaper in the shoes or bag overnight and in the morning not only will they be dry, but there won’t be any water stains. If you come home with wet wellies or snow boots, placing them on a pile of old newspapers will avoid creating messy puddles on the floor. Newspaper will absorb any odours in shoes, lunch boxes or vegetable drawers. Just place a balled-up piece of newspaper in the offending items and it will deodorise them in no time. You can use newspaper for cleaning tough marks off mirrors and windows by using cleaning fluid on the paper. To clean antique glass that might be damaged by cleaning solutions, use the paper with a solution of one part white vinegar to one part warm water. With all these versatile uses, let’s hope the digital age doesn’t signal the end for the newspaper, because it’s clearly not just for reading the news.

Teach your baby to swim with Water Babies, the UK’s leading baby swim school

3 Fully qualified, world class instructors 3 Award-winning programme teaches babies from birth

3 Teaching you to teach your baby to swim

3 Saving lives through water confidence and safety skills

classes held weekly at... Doubletree (by Hilton Beach Boulevard) Aberdeen AB24 5EF

to join in the fun call

01382 690 425

waterbabies.co.uk

Cryptic Crossword Across

1. Page to find recipe for soup (6) 4. Apostle friendly or tepid (8) 9. Land occupied by first hot beasts (6) 10. Toy dress one does away with? (8) 12. Paths son took to get the picture (8) 13. Pierce with maple I fashioned (6) 15. Topless lady somewhere foreign (4) 16. Acquired knowledge from an elder (7) 20. Rum code to use for propriety (7) 21. Composer any dog could call (4) 25. An aged sort of plan (6)

10 11

13 14

16 17 20

26 27

31 ÂŠPuzzlepress.co.uk

Down 1. Retail outlet for chess enthusiasts? (8)

17. Unnecessary and lessened somehow (8)

2. Rip off a rebellious youngster (8)

18. Irrational enthusiasts, in fact as strange as can be (8)

3. Rag? Yes, and oily (6) 26. Brief era leading to 5. American man being an absence (8) exploited (4) 28. Erect and sly in a 6. Trapped in a bent dome covert way (8) somehow (8) 29. Commercial break at sea (6)

7. Girl in one grand jacket (6)

30. Sun god â€“ serves vegetables (8)

8. Light fog said to be overlooked (6)

31. For each boychild, a soul (6)

11. Bedroom ennui? (7)

19. Rate then turn to present a danger (8) 22. Somehow scare a Roman emperor (6) 23. Enclosed and fought with swords (6) 24. Rugged kind of resentment (6) 27. Girl seen in jewellery (4)

14. Fetched hot grub out (7)

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Health, Fitness and Beauty

All eye examinations covered by NHS Optical Coherence Tomography for early diagnosis of Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration and Retinal Conditions. Digital Retinal Photography Visual Field Analysis Large range of Designer frames and specialised spectacle lenses

Chanel 2012 Ophthalmic and Sunglass range now in stock.

Accredited by RACH for Childrenâ€™s Eye Examinations

Home Visits Free Car parking Open Late night Tuesday - 7pm & Saturday - 4pm Scott Gilmour BSc (Hons) MCOptom

5 The Courtyard, Cults, Aberdeen AB15 9SD

Telephone : 01224 - 863344 info@scottgilmouroptometrists.co.uk www.scottgilmouroptometrists.co.uk

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

This year, Amy Donaldson who works at the Salon Profile, is putting on a dinner dance with a twist for the Archie foundation. It’s called the 'BIG BRIDAL BASH' and it will take place on the 21st April at 7pm at the The Ardoe house, Aberdeen. The bash is a new event to Aberdeen where women of all ages are invited to come along in Bridal wear, so wedding dresses, Bridesmaid dresses, mother of the bride style attire, full length frocks, general evening/ cocktail dresses and of course they are hoping for a few hats too! The night will kick off with a cocktail reception and be followed by a three-course meal with wine and a few party games to start the party off! There will also be raffles and then some dancing to finish off. Amy Donaldson is very excited about the event. “We are all very excited about this years event and am hoping to make in an annual one” Amy says that they are already requesting tickets for next year, “I am sure we will be able keep it going. I love putting on events and feel I am in a great position to do so with a huge amount of local people I have contact with on a day to day basis”. Amy picked the ARCHIE Foundation to donate to because of her willingness to support local projects and she has spoken to clients that have been helped personally from ARCHIE and explains the good work done by the charity. How can you get a ticket to the Bridal Bash? Pop into Salon Profile, on 47 netherkirkgate or you can call the salon on 01224 622166 to reserve tickets!

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Competition WIN : 4 tickets and a vintage jaguar to get you to the event Cinderella you can go to the ball! Would you like the chance to go with three of your friends. Turn up in a vintage jaguar which has kindly been donated by Aristocars. Enjoy a cocktail reception followed by a three course meal, with a bottle of red or white wine and then boogie the night away if you are over 18!

All you have to do is answer the following question... Where is the Big Bridal Bash being held on 21 April? Value of prize : ÂŁ300! Plus a fun night out. Transport is not provided for the return journey. Enter on the coupon below or online at our website www.thegranitecitygazette.co.uk by 2pm on Tuesday, 17 April 2012. You and your three friends must be available on Saturday, 21 April 2012

Competition Entry Coupon Big Bridal Bash Entry closes 2pm on Tues, 17 April 2012 (post to : BBB Comp, gazette magazines 4 Kenfield Crescent, Aberdeen AB15 7UQ Name : .............................................................................................................................................................. Address : ........................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................

Postcode : ........................................................

Telephone : ...................................................................................................................................................... Email : ................................................................................................................................................................ Q : Where is the Big Bridal Bash being held? A : ........................................................................................................................................................................ We wil ALL be over 18 on 21 April 2012 Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

Easter school holiday Treasure hunt for the whole family! Find the giant gold coins located throughout the centre. Easter prize package for family of four up for grabs Where: Union Square Shopping Centre, at various locations throughout the centre When: Throughout the school Easter holidays, Saturday 31st March – Sunday 15th April What: Union Square’s Easter Treasure Hunt. The Treasure Hunt will take children and their families around the centre as they search for giant gold coins hidden in different stores and restaurants. Upon completion of the hunt, entries can be submitted for a chance to win an Easter package for a family of four. The prize will include cinema tickets, a meal at handmade burger co., a Union Square gift card and M&S Easter eggs. Treasure Hunt forms will be available from the foyer at Cineworld Union Square or also downloaded from www.unionsquareaberdeen.com The winner will be drawn at random from the correct entries received on 1st May. Competition entries can be returned to the competition box located on the first floor, Management Suite corridor (next to Pizza Hut). Alternatively, you can post it to: The Pirates Competition, Management Suite, 12 First Level Mall, Union Square, Guild Square, Aberdeen, AB11 5RG.

What is your baby saying?

Baby signing and singing classes helping babies to communicate before they can talk     

Suitable for all babies & young toddlers Favourite nursery rhymes & action songs Refreshments & social time Fun, educational & relaxed Drop in to a class when convenient

Contact Alison on 01224 899703 or alisons@tinytalk.co.uk www.tinytalk.co.uk Classes in ABERDEEN & BANCHORY the UK’s favourite baby signing classes

After School Football - Session 2012-2013 Airyhall Community Centre Wednesday 1.30-2.15 Pre School Plus 3.30-4.15 P1/2 4.15-5.00 P1/2

Thursday 9.30-10.00 1.30-2.00 2.00-2.30 3.30-4.15 4.15-5.00 5.00-5.45

Tiny Tots Pre School Pre School P1/2 P1/2 P3/4

Friday 4.15-5.00

To book places contact Alison McLeod on 314669

www.thegranitecitygazette.co.uk

Girls

Places can now be booked for Session 2012-13 starting in August.

www.aberdeenfootballfun.co.uk

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ARE YOU READY TO SPARKLE ?

WE’RE BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!! BLING FLING 4 - SUNDAY 13TH MAY 2012 5.30pm - 9.30pm COME AND JOIN US…… Calling all ladies (and men!) who fancy a fantastic fun day & evening while fundraising for a 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.... Enjoy a 5 or a 10K Walk along the Old Deeside Railway Line from the Duthie Park (in bright pink t shirts and tiaras that we provide and as much bling as you can provide!) followed by a fantastic pamper party with live entertainment, therapists, pink fizz and nibbles in the Winter Gardens. It's a great way to spend time with colleagues and friends, as a teambuilding exercise or to support someone you know who has been affected by breast cancer or leaning disability or both. So get ready to sparkle and shine at Bling Fling 4 – our 4th Trainers and Tiaras Charity Walk & Party. Help make a difference – celebrate life and friendship and have a fling! Places are going fast - so don't miss out. You can also 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 – www.blingfling.org (There is a £20 registration fee and we ask you to commit to raise a minimum of £50 in sponsorship) We look forward to seeing you on the 13th May The Bling Fling Teamx Admin Address: 71 Westburn Road, Aberdeen, AB25 2SH, Tel: 01224 317060/643327 email: enquiries@blingfling.org, www.blingfling.org SCO14665 Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

Let’s talk wine...

D is for Douro The Douro Valley in northern Portugal is the home of Port wine. The grapes are grown on steep terraced vineyards above the winding Douro River. Sweet and fortified, there is a style to suit many occasions. As an alternative to G&T, try a Portonic –white port, ice and lemon topped up with tonic water, it is delicious. To serve stilton and Port together is automatic, it works because of the sweet and savoury contrast. My favourite style to serve with stilton is Tawny with its slightly savoury side. Try an LBV (late bottled vintage) style alongside a dark chocolate tort. Savour a vintage port and always decant to leave any sediment from its slumbering behind. There are more than 60, mainly local, authorised grape varieties in the Douro and a number appear time after time, each giving its own personality to the final blend. Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (the Tempranillo of Rioja), Tinta Cao, Touriga Franca and Tinta Barroca make frequent appearances. The same grapes are also behind the light wines of the region, they may be either single varietal wines or blends and are well worth a try.

Wines to try:

Crasto Douro Red 2009 £9.99 Majestic Nierpoort Dry White Port £13.95 (Wine Raks, Aberdeen) Carol can be contacted on 01224 312076 or via her web site www.wineuncorkededucation.co.uk Carols next Wine Education Service Introductory evening class is scheduled to start Wednesday 18th April, 7-9pm at the Atholl Hotel. Info and bookings via www.wine-education-service.co.uk Carol Brown

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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. Ask for the wine at : Deeside Drinks Emporium 22 Dee Street Banchory 01330 822 650 e : gazette@fsmail.net

Indulge yourself with our new lunch and dinner menus at Ciao Napoli, your friendly, traditional Italian restaurant. Established in 2003 the restuarant is set over two floors with a private dining facility downstairs. Perfect for corporate dining, birthdayâ€™s, anniversaries and more... It can hold up to 60 people and a menu that can be tailored to suit your requirements. There is certainly no such thing as ordinary at Ciao Napoli. They take great pride in using both fresh local ingredients and personally selected Italian produce to provide a truly authentic and intimate dining experience Peppe and Nino look forward to welcoming you and your family to their little taste of Italy. Open for Lunch Mon-Sat 12-2.30pm Open for Dinner Mon-Sat 5.30-1030pm

For more details on our dining facilities please contact us on

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Music Theatre Live Entertainment Tuesday, April 10:As part of the Puppet Animation Festival 2012, Mousetale Puppets presents Oscar & The Quest for the Underground Princess, a tale in which Oscar is drawn into an underground myth when he receives a mysterious riddle to solve, in The Lemon Tree Studio, West North Street, Aberdeen, at 2pm, for ages four plus. Tues & Wed, April 10 & 11: The chance to experience spectacular science, dangerous demonstrations and extraordinary experiments as Science Museum Live on Tour lights up the world with a live show to blow your mind and challenge your brain, in His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, at 7pm on Tuesday and 1.30pm on Wednesday.. Wednesday, April 11: DF Concerts presents Architects, plus support from Rolo Tomassi, in The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 7.30pm. Thursday, April 12: An Ellen Kent Production, featuring the international acclaimed Ukranian National opera of Kharkiv, in Puccini’s La Boheme, telling the tragic tale of the doomed consumptive Mimi, in His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm. Thursday, April 12: As part of the Puppet Animation Festival 2012, Ailie Cohen presents Cloud Man, the story of cloud expert Cloudia who has all her life dreamt of seeing a Cloud Man, an extremely rare creature who lives high up in the sky, in The Lemon Tree Studio, West North Street, Aberdeen, at 2pm, for ages four to seven.

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Thursday, April 12: DF Concerts presents Charlene Soraia, showcasing her debut album Moonchild , in The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 7.30pm. Friday, April 13: An Ellen Kent Production, featuring the international acclaimed Ukranian National opera of Kharkiv, in Verdi’s La Traviata, one of the most popular love stories of the 19th Century, in His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm. Friday, April 13: Playing frantic indie pop music with a punk-driven edge – loud – Marionettes are specialists in melodic hook-based tunes with frenzied tempos, coupled with cutting social commentary, in The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 8pm. Saturday, April 14: An Ellen Kent Production, featuring the international acclaimed Ukranian National opera of Kharkiv, in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly and the heartbreaking story of a beautiful young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant, in His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm. Saturday, April 14: As part of the Puppet Animation Festival 2012, Storybox Theatre presents The Pea, The Bean & The Enormous Turnip, combining exceptional puppetry and wonderful story-telling on a trip into the extraordinary garden of the imagination, in The Lemon Tree Studio, West North Street, Aberdeen, at 2pm, for ages five plus.

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Music Theatre Live Entertainment Saturday, April 14: The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra returns to its home in Aberdeen with conductor Blair Parham and compere Jim McColl, with singers, dancers and pipers, in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm. Saturday, April 14: Launching their new album, Stanley, combining both musical talent and imagination to create a sound that is innovative, unique, and as a result, totally unclassifiable, in The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 8pm. Sunday, April 15: Winner of the Best Band and Best Album at this year’s British Blues Awards, Oli Brown, in The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 7.30pm. Monday, April 16: More than a quarter of a century since the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem were last heard singing together, their memory as Ireland’s greatest musical export is recreated in The Kilkennys: Fine Girl Ye Are, in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm. Monday, April 16: APA Creative Learning presents World Voice Day, as members of APA Young Person’s Company, Youth Theatre, Adult Drama and Singing classes celebrate voice and communication with a performance of songs, scripts and singing, in The Lemon Tree Studio, West North Street, Aberdeen, at 7pm. Tuesday, April 17: As seen on BBC1’s Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, double Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Andrew Lawrence, in The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 8pm. Tickets from boxofficeaberdeen.com or tel 01224 641122

Wednesday to Saturday, April 18 to 21: Aberdeen Students’ Charities Campaign presents Mary Torphins, an all-singing, all-dancing take on the tale of a trouble-hit multi-million pound North-east golf project and the Aberdeen councillor tasked with sorting it all out, in His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 7.30pm and Friday at 5pm and 8.30pm with a 2.30pm Saturday matinee. Thursday, April 19: We Are the In Crowd/ Every Avenue, in The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 8.30pm. Thurs & Fri, April 19 & 20: Quids in Theatre presents the Scottish premiere of Heaven’s Gate, by Annie James, to commemorate the centennial of the sinking of the Titanic in April 1912, in The Lemon Tree Studio, West North Street, Aberdeen, at 7pm. Friday, April 20: The ultimate tribute to one of the all-time greats of rock, Hells Bells return to The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 8pm. Friday, April 20: Still pure Hollies, still the tight, clean vocal harmonies, meticulously honed and precisely melded in The Hollies, 50 Years On, in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm. Saturday, April 21: Seventy-five minute behind the scenes tours at Aberdeen’s iconic Edwardian landmark, His Majesty’s Theatre, in HMT at 10.30am and 11.30am.

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Music Theatre Live Entertainment Tuesday, April 24: DF concerts presents Lostprophets, comprising Ian Watkins (vocals), Jamie Oliver (keyboards, turntables, vocals), Stuart Richardson (bass), Mike Lewis (guitars), Lee Gaze (guitars) and Luke Johnson (drums), in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, doors at 7.30pm.

Saturday, April 21: Greycard presents Piaf, written by and starring Christine Bovill, a musical homage to the French singing sensation Edith Piaf, in The Lemon Tree Studio, West North Street, Aberdeen, at 7pm. Saturday, April 21: They were the definition of cool in their 50s and 60s Vegas heyday and the magic is recreated in The Rat Pack Live, with special guest Matt Monro jnr, in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm. Monday, April 23: Only a few tickets left for The Osmonds: Up Close and Personal Final UK tour, in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm. Tuesday, April 24: English songwriter and lead singer of indie legends The Bible Boo Hewardine and slide guitar wizard from Statsboro Brooks Williams (State of the Union) , in The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 7.30pm. Tues to Sat, April 24 to 28: Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Scotland’s most loved play, The Steamie, with Dolly, Magrit, Doreen and Mrs Culfeathers in a Glasgow wash house as they try to get their washing done before the bells at Hogmanay, in His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm, with 2pm Wednesday and Thursday matinees and a 2.30pm Saturday matinee.

Thursday, April 26: Mike Maran presents Italia ‘n’ Caledonia, a heart-warming story of adventure, tragedy and success following the migration of Italians from their sunny hillsides to towns all over Scotland, celebrating everything that’s great about Italy and Scotland, in The Lemon Tree Studio, West North Street, Aberdeen, at 7pm. Friday, April 27: The stars of stage, screen and YouTube, Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre, bring a brand new show of songs, sketches, socks and violence to The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 7pm. Friday, April 27: Touring planet Earth with their funny, stomping, toe-tapping, allsinging, all-plucking obituary of rock and roll and melodious light entertainment are The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm. Saturday, April 28: Seventy-five minute behind the scenes tours at Aberdeen’s iconic Edwardian landmark, His Majesty’s Theatre, in HMT at 10.30am and 11.30am.

2012/2013

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Music Theatre Live Entertainment Saturday, April 28: APA Junior Youth Theatre presents Hear Me Now?, drawing on inspiration from young voices who have changed the world, APA Youth Theatre find their own voice and bring you a powerful and moving evening of theatre, in The Lemon Tree Studio, West North Street, Aberdeen, at 7pm. Saturday, April 28: Scottish Chamber Orchestra present a baroque extravaganza of exotica and virtuosity starring Scotland’s favourite violinist, Nicola Benedetti in Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm.

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.

Sunday, April 29: One of the world’s finest guitar players Albert Lee is joined by Gerry Hogan on guitar, Peter Baron on drums, Brian Hogson on bass and Gavin Povey on piano in Albert Lee & Hogan’s Heroes, in The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 8pm.

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Lunch at Buchanans Mum and I broke with tradition and celebrated Mother’s Day with a lunch on the Tuesday after! We chose to make the drive to Buchanans Bistro by Woodend Barn in Banchory. It was a beautiful day but a little bit windy for sitting outside! We arrived shortly after 1230 and the restaurant was buzzing. People were coming and going. Two large tables reserved for 16 and 10.

It was great to try some different things. I loved the pate and the crackers were a delight. Mum enjoyed the salmon and the marinated olives - well she ate them all - so I think that was a success.

The waiters were friendly and attentive and everything seemed to work like a well-oiled chain - especially when the two big tables arrived quite close together. The menu: A little bit different from the norm. It offers two homemade soups with a selection of handcrafted, organic bread. There was a choice of salads, a fish pie. There were also savouries to add to your salad or to have on their own; nibble’s of nuts and seeds, dipping oils, hummus - and the list goes on.

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Our meal arrived on two beautifully presented boards, a basket of bread and our pate and crackers. It was lovely to just pick away at the boards in a relaxed, non-rushed way.

We had a nice table for two overlooking the beautiful countryside. The restaurant itself is spacious, large windows and full of wonderful art, books, magazines and just a generally relaxed atmosphere.

We decided to try a Board! We picked two - a fish board which consisted of Loch Fyne smoked salmon, Bradan Rost salmon, 5 spice gravlax, salmon salsa, smoked mussels, cornichon mayo and langoustine. The other, a Sheep cheese board with Roquefort, Berkswell and

Manchego served with Buchanans’ marinated Greek olives, chutney, pickled kumquat, biscuits and Stockans oatcakes. We also decided to try the red lentil and sweet potato pate with crackers.

The bread was delicious; light and very easy to eat, with the pate, fish and cheese. Lunch wouldn’t be lunch without pudding! So we indulged in crème brulee and a meringue. The intention was to share! Easy to half a meringue, but when the crème brulee is so good, hard to give up the other half! Our lunch came to £32 and that included two ginger beer and lime. The service was excellent, the food was good and we would definitely come again and would love to try an evening with some music. But you can just come and enjoy a delicious homebake and a pot of tea or coffee!

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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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Easter Chocolate Mousse Cake

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8 Seravdyeins Re s rs plu u o h 1¼ ours 3 - 4 h ng chilli

Perfect for a special Easter Sunday meal this indulgent dessert has a chocolate sponge base, creamy white chocolate mousse filling and a rich and dark chocolate glaze. It can be prepared the day before or made a couple of weeks in advance and frozen.

Base • 3 eggs • 70g caster sugar • 50g plain flour • 2 tbsp cocoa powder

Mousse • 2 x 150g bars good quality white chocolate, broken into pieces • 3 tbsp milk • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 300ml double cream • 3 large egg whites

Glaze • 85g plain chocolate • 20g unsalted butter • 4 tbsp double cream • Melted white chocolate and small candy coated chocolate eggs, to decorate

Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Grease and line the base of a 20 cm round spring-form tin. To make the base, whisk the eggs and sugar together in a large heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water until very thick and pale – the whisk should leave a trail in the mixture when lifted. Sift over the flour and cocoa and fold in gently. Pour into the prepared tin and bake for 12-15 minutes until just springy to the touch. Turn out and leave to cool completely. Clean the tin and lightly grease and re-line the base. Place the cold sponge in the base of the tin. To make the mousse, place the white chocolate, milk and vanilla extract in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water and leave until melted. Remove from the heat and stir until smooth then stir in 4 tbsp of the cream. Dissolve the gelatine in 2 tbsp hot water. Cool for a few minutes then stir into the chocolate mixture. Softly whip the rest of the cream and fold into the chocolate mixture. Whisk the egg whites until stiff and fold in. Spoon the mousse over the sponge base and chill for 3-4 hours until set. For the chocolate glaze, melt the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Remove from the heat, stir until smooth then stir in the cream. Leave until cool and thick enough to spread, stirring occasionally. Remove the mousse cake from the tin and gently spread the chocolate glaze over the top. Drizzle with melted white chocolate and decorate with the chocolate eggs. www.thegranitecitygazette.co.uk

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A Coffee Break wi The gazette had a coffee break with Sandy Menzies the Jeweller last month and this is what we found out... Sandy and Jura

It all started in 1978 where Sandy enjoyed five happy years studying at Grays School of Art. This was then followed with a three year apprenticeship in Edinburgh where he specialised in antique repairs and diamond setting. No longer with a shop front in Aberdeen Sandy still makes beautiful jewellery from his custom designed workshop. “It’s small, but beautifully formed.” Sandy does miss the hustle and bustle of having a shop but enjoying the new challenge of working on his own. Platinum is Sandy’s metal of choice as it takes on a beautiful high polish without losing any detail. Bespoke pieces of jewellery are slightly more expensive as they are unique to the person requesting it. A one off, something truly special for any occasion be it a wedding, a milestone birthday, an anniversary or just a treat to yourself!

ith Sandy Menzies The new jewellery e-commerce website will be up and running in April and Sandy will be able to offer several ranges and a number of one off pieces designed and made by him. Along with new jewellery, Sandy is able to offer a repair of any precious piece of jewellery from a simple silver chain repair, resetting of stones, rebuild worn settings, ring sizing’s, rhodium plating, white gold etc. And even better for you he is happy to come and pick up any piece to be repaired and deliver back to you within 4 days (delivery in the West End area). And the fact that his overheads are low his prices are very competitive and vat free!

Raindrop Bangle

Angelica Bell (CBB’s children’s presenter) is one of Sandy’s more famous customer’s. Her fiancé came from Aberdeen and they were married at Drumtochty Castle. Sandy had the privilege of making the wedding band. Finally we asked Sandy to tell us three things that we might not guess about him and if not a jeweller what would he like to be... So - Sandy originally comes from Thurso, he has a beautiful Beagle called Jura (see pic!) and loves black and white landscape photography.

Aqua Diamond Ring

With his love of photography that would be his preferred other career. To create unusual, otherworldly images using long exposure photography. I hope you’ve enjoyed learning a little bit more about Sandy and now know he is still making beautiful pieces of jewellery right on our doorsteps. To contact Sandy -

t : 07889 503337 w : www.sandymenziesjewellery.co.uk e : sandy@sandymenziesjewellery.co.uk www.sandymenziesphotography.co.uk

Blue Topaz Acanthus Ring

Bordered by Mozambique and South Africa, Swaziland is merely a blot on the map but besides wildlife and exquisite craft, its colourful traditions are worth a detour. At the heart of it all is a near-absolute monarchy headed by Mswati III and the Queen Mother. In Swazi polygamous tradition, the heir to the throne is not the oldest son but the son of ‘the Great Wife’, chosen for her good character and family stock, and they rule together. As the southern spring approaches in the Valley of Heaven, maidens gather from across the country for the week long Festival of Reeds to pay homage to the royal pair. They rest for a night near the royal village then march to the reeds beds, up to 20 miles away, where they cut down reeds over twice their height, tying them in bundles with plaited grass or plastic ribbons. The reeds are carried back like trophies to the Queen’s Palace and used by the girls to strengthen the royal enclosure. The youngsters always return after dark, bearing torches, to prove they ‘travelled a long way’. Then there’s a whole day to relax with friends, add the final touch to the ceremonial costumes and groom one’s hair before dancing for the king.

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Travel The king attends on the seventh day when many a young girl wakes up that morning wondering if she may be the next royal bride. At 43, Mswati III has 14 wives, the first two appointed by councillors according to tradition, but after that, he is free to choose, marrying into different clans to encourage unity. Itâ€™s a hard life for any man but if you are a Swazi king, how do you decide when 20,000 pretty girls, scantily dressed, parade in front of you? Fortunately, adding another bride to the list is not compulsory. On that final day, crowds make their way along dusty lanes lined with food stalls, taxis and vans. Bunting flutters across the road, blue, yellow and red, as people of all ages pour into the stadium. In the royal stand, the king wears a leopard skin loin cloth and a headdress of red lourie feathers. The parade is led by royal princesses with feathers in their hair, followed by beautifully poised young women, excited teenagers and children, watched by anxious mothers. Tightly packed groups perform their acts simultaneously, glowing with pride as they shuffle barefoot around the grounds. There are tassels and beads, shields, daggers, anklets and bracelets, traditional shoulder wraps sporting the kingâ€™s portrait, mobile phones and swanky sunglasses. A troop of raucous warriors bursts unannounced into the arena, waving sticks. The crowds laugh but promptly return to their dreams, dazed by waves of blinding colour and the hypnotic rhythm of African folk songs. Somewhere in the commotion, a young dancer carries a red rose and soon, 20,000 girls, maybe minus one, will go home, carrying food to thank them for their efforts. Mswati III has long been criticized for his lavish lifestyle but as brides go, hand plucked at the Reeds Festival or elsewhere, he is unlikely to rival his father. Sobhuza II had 70 wives, 210 children and over 1000 grandchildren.

Swaziland by Solange Hando

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Create the Perfect

Home Office

In this pretty home office, a wall shelf and natural, neutral storage boxes, baskets, bags and trays from The Holding Company (020 8445 2888; theholdingcompany.co.uk) provide a variety of storage for papers and other work essentials.

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Whether you have a dedicated room, a corner of the kitchen, a converted outbuilding or are simply looking to squeeze an office in under the stairs, our expert Katherine Sorrell’s guide will help you create a work space that’s not just efficient and functional, but also inviting and comfortable.

stairs or other small areas, built-in storage will make the most of the space; otherwise you may consider cheaper, free-standing options.

Size matters

Light fantastic

Start by considering the size of desk you require. The bigger the better – you will never regret having plenty of space on which to spread out. Do you also need a table and chairs for meetings, or perhaps a sofa or chaise longue on which to recline and read or think? And storage is vital, whether it’s a shelf above the desk, plan chests, filing cabinets, drawers or stacking boxes. Bear in mind that some things will need to be within arm’s reach, while lessused items can be stored on high shelves or deep cupboards, not necessarily in the same room. In awkward rooms, such as lofts, under-

Good task and general lighting is vital to avoid eye strain when working at home. The more natural light the better – though beware glare from direct sun, and position your desk at right angles to a window if possible. For working on dim days and in the evenings, fit overhead lighting that doesn’t cast any shadows over your working area – track lighting, spots inset into the ceiling and wall lamps are all options.

Get technical A good start is to count up your electrical appliances and ensure that you install enough plug sockets in the right places (about three inches above the work surface is good, plus some hidden lower down, too) to accommodate them all. Place electrical items together so you don’t end up with long stretches of cable between them, and clip trailing wires to backs of table legs where possible. Alternatively, going wireless eliminates some cables entirely, and gives you greater flexibility about where to site your equipment.

contd/

Everything From A Cat flap To A Conversion Small jobs a speciality uPvc Windows and Doors Flooring Bathrooms Kitchens

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This clever extendable letter rack can either be placed on your desk or mounted on the wall. Extension magazine rack, £35.55, Red Candy (0121 2247728; redcandy.co.uk).

Shared spaces If your office space is shared with your dining room, kitchen, bedroom or living room, you will probably want to conceal it as much as possible when it’s not in use. Build a large cupboard in a recess next to a chimneybreast, for example, and behind the doors you should be able to squeeze in a desk with some shelving above. In a kitchen you might consider removing a unit. That said, think carefully about whether the room’s two purposes will conflict – if you need to work with the children running around, or when a partner wants to sleep, it’s going to be a problem. You might be better off converting the loft, or fitting an office under the stairs, on a large landing or even in the garden shed. Desk lamps should ideally be adjustable. Alternatively, consider wiring one or two adjustable lamps into the wall above your desk. Fabulous furniture Conventional office furnishings are great for efficiency, but tend to look out of place in a home. While ensuring that your desk and chair are comfortable, seek out furnishings that

suit your home and your personality. Plenty of chain stores and independent shops sell home office furniture at a range of prices, but you could also consider hunting around junk shops, second-hand office furniture stores and salvage yards for interesting alternatives, such as old school lockers, a trestle resting on a pair of metal filing cabinets, a distressed kitchen unit or a desktop made from blackboard. Add functional accessories that will brighten up your day, such as colourful waste bins or funky pen holders, and some finishing touches, such as plants, pictures and scented candles that will make this a space where you really want to spend time. File away your work disks in plain and simple labelled boxes. Kassett CD boxes with lids, £2.99 each, Ikea (0845 358 3363; ikea.co.uk).

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It’s all going to be fine J Last week I had the honour of being invited into a large Deeside primary school to run an afternoon workshop with the entire P7 yeargroup as they prepare for their transition to secondary education over the next few months. What a privilege for a simple mum like me, not a teacher, to have the chance to give these young people some thoughts and ideas that might well stay with them for life! I share this with you because I was so delighted to experience such a bright, eager, enthusiastic group of children positively fizzing with ideas and contributions that I was left with a joyful feeling that we will be very safe leaving our future in their hands as they grow up and take over running the country, our services, businesses... the world! Aberdeenshire is full of Very Bright SparksJ The nature of my work with these children had a serious side of course, it was all about helping them realise the huge myriad of talents, skills and qualities they have which they can harness and enjoy in life whether or not during their early school years these have already become clear to them. And about how even the most obviously successful adults in the public eye have had struggles of various types and have overcome these difficulties to achieve great things. Sadly, way beyond the classroom years, adults too frequently struggle to acknowledge their successes, qualities and contributions in life which can lead to loss of confidence and self esteem and feelings of negativity and sadness even in those of us, especially women although by no means exclusively so, who are giving a huge amount to the world as we live our lives. If you struggle with such feelings it’s important to resolve these as they can damage our health, our work, our relationships and affect just about every facet of our lives if we don’t. www.thegranitecitygazette.co.uk

Here are 3 things you could ask yourself, that can start to turn things around: What would those people who truly love and respect me say about me? What do others admire in me? What am I good at? Write them down and keep the list safe. One caveat... you really mustn’t reply “nothing” to any of the above! J Once you have your list, don’t leave it there, keep adding to it as the days and weeks go by... notice when people pay you compliments, whatever facet of your life they relate to. If you’re a person who really struggles with self belief you might like to keep these things in a journal and add to it over many years... or all your life. And allow your mind to enjoy these happy thoughts and ideas, ignoring that little Gremlin at the back of your mind that says things like “ah but you’re rubbish at ___ “ or “you’ll get big headed talking yourself up like that” . Thank him, ask him to be quiet and have a chuckle at yourself for ever having listened to him before! There’s so much more I could say to help with this but space precludes... but if any Gazette reader would like to book a 20 minute complimentary chat with me about how I could help you with this or other areas where you seek change in your life please contact me through my website www.WiseLifeCoaching.com or email me on Amanda@WiseLifeCoaching.com. Meantime, enjoy the summer... how thrilled are we to have seen it so early this year – hurray! Even if it snows now surely we have all benefited from this boost of sunshine so early in 2012 J

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Slugs and Snails This is the time of year when you’re likely to start to notice the presence of slugs and snails in your garden, greenhouse, coldframe, window box.... indeed just about everywhere. There are many different species; the most common in gardens are probably species of Milax (the keeled slugs) and Arion (e.g. the garden slug and the large black slug), plus the grey field slug (Deroceras reticulatus). The garden snail, Helix aspersa is generally the most troublesome but may also be joined by various species of the banded snail, Cepaea. It never ceases to amaze me how much damage something as small as a slug can do and in such a short space of time. But then the truth of it is, there is never just one slug or one snail, you can always be sure that there will be hoards of them. I garden on clay and our soil is alkaline and so we have a plentiful supply of snails; if you garden on an acidic soil you will generally find that snails are not a problem as they need the calcium to make their shells. To say that they infuriate me would be an understatement, but the type I hate most are those small grey-black keeled slugs that do such a lot of damage to crops such as potatoes. I garden without chemicals so there is no question of using pellets, but I have tried pretty well every other trick in the book. When it comes to potatoes I grow largely earlies and early mains and these crops are less susceptible because they are lifted relatively promptly. It also pays dividends if you grow varieties such as Pentland Dell, Wilja, Charlotte, Estima and Pentland Ivory all of which show a good degree of resistance to these slugs. I also use the biological control nematode

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Phasmarhabdites hermaphrodita. True this may prove quite expensive but it works brilliantly against slugs, poses no environmental problems (it is a naturally occurring parasite of British slugs) and is perfect for controlling any slug that spends time underground. If you time the applications so that the crops, flowers or other plants are protected while they are at their most vulnerable, it shouldn’t be too much of an outlay. Slug and snail traps also work well, whether you buy your own ‘Slug Pubs’ or make them by plunging plastic beakers into the soil close to susceptible plants and then part filling them with beer. I once did a mini trial on Gardeners’ Question Time to see which beers slugs and snails liked best, and Guinness came out tops....with alcohol-free lager proving least popular! I also find that milk (stale works well) is good, and if you add a small quantity of grain or porridge oats to the liquid, the pests come in at an amazing rate. Do make sure that you leave a centimetre or so of the rim of the beaker protruding above the soil level as this will greatly reduce the number of beneficial creatures such as ground beetles that inadvertently fall in to the traps. Upturned half grapefruit skins or even large cabbage leaves can also be used as traps, but remember to empty or replace these daily or else the slugs and snails will re-enter the garden. If you create barriers around plants this can help, but I find it less reliable. My preferred materials are coco-shell (the mulching material), pine needles and crushed shells (e.g. oyster shell sold by poultry feed suppliers). But whatever you use do remember to put it in a complete circle around the base of the plant, not just a ring or the slugs may simply come up inside the ring and of course check it regularly, replenishing the material as necessary.

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by Pippa Greenwood

So before they start to really get a hold, show them who is boss, and take action straight away: • Encourage wildlife such as ground beetles, birds and hedgehogs as these may help to keep numbers down. • Create barriers around particularly susceptible plants. • Buy or make slug traps. • If growing potatoes concentrate on earlies and lift these as soon as possible. • Grow varieties of potato that show some resistance to attack. • Use the biological control as a soil drench to control slugs (not snails) • Attach copper strip around the circumference of pots containing slug susceptible plants. • Go on night-time slug and snail hunts. • In late autumn collect up snails from their hibernating places.

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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Road safety organisations have said forcing elderly drivers to retake their test when they reach a certain age is not the best way to improve road safety. There has been a recent spate of accidents involving older drivers who police have claimed were not fit to hold a licence. One accident saw a 16-year-old girl killed by an 87-year-old driver who swerved onto the pavement in Colchester, Essex crushing the girl against a wall. Police had asked the driver to give up his licence three days before the fatal crash after he was involved in a separate crash, an inquest heard. However, road safety groups have told us that they think incidents involving elderly drivers are more widely reported in the press – heightening the public’s negative perception of older drivers.

outrageous accidents that they have. After all we don’t base our rules on all young drivers around those who pinch cars, speed or drive stupidly to impress their friends.

“Older drivers do of course make mistakes as do all older people, said Adrian Walsh, director of charity RoadSafe. “There is evidence to show that risk increases as drivers get older, but the type of error is quite different from young drivers – most of them are to do with errors of judgement rather than breaches of the law and most are ‘lapses’. One thing is quite clear – older drivers take less risks.”

“By and large, most older drivers are safe drivers. Risk curves fall from teenage to late 40s and only really begin to turn up again by late 60s/early 70s and sharply by 80s. Even then they struggle to have a risk level challenging the youngest (and fittest) drivers.”

Andrew Howard, head of road safety at The AA, agreed, adding: “It is very difficult to base decisions about older drivers on the more www.thegranitecitygazette.co.uk

Howard added that stopping older people driving would have immense costs too – both personally and to the economy as other forms of transport would have to be funded.

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Safety Groups say... Older Drivers get a Bad Press

“In terms of the number of crashes they have they are one of the safest groups on the road and far safer than young drivers between the ages of 17-24,” said the IAM’s Neil Greig. “When an older driver knocks down a pedestrian or drives the wrong way up a dual carriageway they get banner headlines and calls for tough retests. The vast majority of older drivers are responsible adults who know their weaknesses and change their driving to cope with them.” The IAM wants to see voluntary assessments made widely available, such as its DriveCheck55, where drivers can refresh their skills, discuss the high risk factors and get an independent assessment without fear of losing their licence. Meanwhile, Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said there is no evidence older drivers have more accidents. “In fact their safety record is better than that of many young drivers - but their frailty means that when they are involved in collisions they are more likely to be killed or seriously injured,” he explained. “Rather than introducing compulsory

retesting for older drivers, we would like to see the greater promotion of voluntary refresher courses. Insurance policies which offer discounts to older drivers who do not drive at the riskiest times – such as at night – and on the most dangerous roads would also help.”

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H0123702

The Institute of Advanced Motorists said they think older drivers get an “unfair press”.

Community News The Community Council met on 13th March in St Joseph’s School. Cllr. Stewart reported that she had written to FirstBus with particular reference to service no. 13 which some transport users claiming they often had to wait up to 40 minutes. The response from FirstBus claimed that 95% of buses were running on time. In practice though, this does not appear to be the case. Mr Grieve is also to write again to FirstBus as he only received a cursory reponse to his previous letter on the same matter. There was no-one present from the Police team however the monthly statistics have been received by the secretary and are reported as follows: Quality of Life Incidents “Reported incidents that fall into the categories detailed above have risen by 3 compared to those reported in the previous month. The motorcycle calls appear to relate to two different off road bikes being seen in the various locations being driven by young persons in an anti-social manner. Limited information has been recorded in relation to the type of motorcycles. All the fire calls are non suspicious and of a minor accidental/ electrical nature. The public nuisance calls are for a variety of reasons. In the main, they are drunk persons causing annoyance, a few were door bell ringing incidents and the others are minor annoyances.” Priority crimes are as follows: “These figures are up 8 incidents on last month. 18% of the overall crimes/offences to date are detected. Sadly this reflects the type of calls being reported and the time they occur. Enquiries are still on going with most crime reports. Sadly there is a return of housebreakings. Two attempted and one theft by housebreaking. Enquiries in relation to these are still ongoing. (Mannofield) Vehicle related crime continues, with an increase of 8 thefts from insecure motor vehicles and 3 thefts of motor vehicles and their contents. Three persons have been reported for these crimes while enquiries continue in relation to the others. (Ferryhill, Mannofield & West End)

Queens Cross And Harlaw Community Council Minutes Two persons have been reported for possession of controlled drugs. (West End) The serious assault is an incident where all the parties are known to each other and one person has been reported. (Mannofield) This month has seen a slight decrease on vandalism figures but these remain high and in particular are generally still vehicles being scratched, wing mirrors being damaged and house windows being smashed. (Ferryhill, Mannofield & West End)” Various significant planning applications will be decided upon in March & April. These will be reported on in the full minute when details are available. We are pleased to note that there is a new Crossing Patroller outside St Joseph’s which is sure to be a comfort to concerned parents and teachers.

The next meeting will be at 7pm on Tuesday 10th April in the Raven Room, Rubislaw Church Centre. ALL WELCOME !

Community News Craigiebuckler and Seafield Community Council Our meeting on 6th March was well attended. The main item on the agenda was the housing development planned for the Pinewood/Hazledene site. An archeological dig is taking place as part of the pre-planning preparation by the developer who intends to build 350 houses in that location. William Sell, Chairman, will request Aberdeen City Council’s Planning Department to notify the Community Council when the developer submits a formal planning application. The Community Council wishes to be involved in all the planning stages. William Sell attended the second meeting of the “Hazlehead Volunteers” and informed us that they are now a legally constituted organisation with the new title, “Friends of Hazlehead”. The “Friends” 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 Friends of Hazlehead” is asked to contact Councillor Martin Greig by e-mailing mgreig@aberdeencity.gov.uk Craigiebuckler and Seafield Community Council meet on the first Tuesday of every 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 25 April Wednesday 22 May

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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 - Masters Swimming Club

Hazlehead Pool Mon 8:30-10pm, Cults Academy Tues 8:15-9:45pm, Robert Gordon University Weds 7-9pm, Cults Academy Thurs 8:30-10:00pm. Contact: Head Coach Hilary Stewart on 07815824057 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 Craigiebuckler Parish Church hall

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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 Westburn Lawn Tennis Club Come and play tennis on REAL GRASS courts at Westburn Park. Westburn is a small, friendly club offering both social and competitive tennis at very reasonable rates. Courts open SUNDAY 22 APRIL 2012 at 2pm - come and join us (free for your first visit). Membership info: Barbara Miller, 635556

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:

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. uk/in-your-area/aberdeen/W2T

Queen’s Cross Parent & Toddler Group Queens Cross Church Mon 9.30-11.30 Children 0-4 & their grown-ups are very welcome. £1.50 Gaelic Parent & Child Group Gilcomstoun Primary School Mon, Wed & Fri 9.15-11.30. You don’t have to speak Gaelic to attend. Mairi Morley 07900 337122,

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 E-mail: fmdfindon@aol.com Parents with babies and toddlers aged 0 - 3 are invited to join us to meet other parents ove a cup of tea or coffee and play with your child in a welcoming, childfriendly setting. Thursday mornings 9.15 - 11.15am. during school terms.

e : gaelic@aberdeencity.gov.uk.

Singing Tots 6mths - 3 yrs Mon 945-1015 & 1045 -1115 Rubislaw Church Centre Midstocket Playgroup, phone or text : 07745 924449 Midstocket Parish Church, Harcourt Rd. info@singingtots.org /www.singingtots.org 2.5 - 5 year olds. Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 09.15 - 11.45, Mon,Tues,Thurs 13.00- 15.30. Toddler Time : Funded places available. Tel. 07542 256703 Wed 09:15–11:15 term time. Friendly, welcoming group for parents & children aged www.midstocketplaygroup.co.uk 0-4. Cost 50 pence, inc snacks & refreshments Rubislaw Playgroup Playgroup: New Life International Church, Leadside Road, Rubislaw Church Centre. Mon to Fri 9:15AB25 1TW Michelle - 07808 932 907 11:45; from 30 mths to school age. Funded Ruthrieston West Church Twos Group places available. Call 07747 830386 b/n Fri 9.45 - 11.00 ( During term time) Age 1year 9:30 & 12:15 or email rubislawplaygroup@ 10 months + £2.50 per child per session. For hotmail.co.uk more information phone Lynne on 01224 Toddlers and 2s: 314692 Rubislaw Church Centre. Enjoy play, craft, Teeny Beats singing and snack. Fun singalong with musical instruments. Toddlers: Up to 2 yrs; Wed 9:30-11:30 Meets on a Tuesday 2pm - 3pm during term 2s Group: 2 to 3 yrs; Tues 9:30-11:30. Call time at Rubislaw Church Centre. 07747 830386 b/n 9:30 & 12:15 or email For children aged 0 to 5 years. £2 per session rubislawplaygroup@hotmail.co.uk/ discounted rate for additional children. For Messy Play further information contact Margaret 587144 Rubislaw Church Centre. Enjoy messy play or Caroline 566141 for ages 2 to 5. Wed & Fri 1:15-3pm. Call The 123 Group, 07747 830386 b/n 9:30 & 12:15 or email Craigiebuckler Church Hall, Every Thurs 2-4pm, rubislawplaygroup@hotmail.co.uk/ Adult and Child group; children fm babies Kids Crew Playgroup.2yrs 8mnths. Mon, Wed, Fri mornings 9.30am- up to the age of 3 are all welcome. Costs £8 per month, with lots of fun activities, 12pm. Funded Places available. crafts and healthy snacks provided for the + Two’s Group.Wed, Thurs 9.30-11am. Both groups at Ferryhill children. For more information, please email Community Centre, Albury Road, Ferryhill. Tel the123group@yahoo.com, or call Pamela Morrison 07762481757 : 584118. babiesand toddlers@aberdeenmethodist.org.uk

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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

RGU’s, Georgina Scott Sutherland Library is delighted to host the first complete survey of the work of Orcadian artist, Sylvia Wishart RSA (1936-2008) in an exhibition titled ‘The Art of Sylvia Wishart: The Lamp In The Seaward Window’, from 26 March to 20 April. From one of her earliest drawings to the later large-scale paintings, the exhibition allows Sylvia Wishart’s work to be seen in a context that charts her artistic achievement over more than fifty years, and establishes her place as an important and influential Scottish artist. The range of her work is reflected through some 40 major pieces which was curated by the Pier Art Centre, Stromness, an institution which she was instrumental in founding. Sylvia Wishart taught for many years at Gray’s School of Art where she was an adored teacher, friend and inspiration to many students in the 1970s and 80s. Retiring to her beloved Orkney in 1987, she continued to paint dramatic landscapes and seascapes, exploring the subtle

changes in the seasons, the nuances of light and the textures of the land. Jane Kidd, Collections Curator, said: “This long-awaited show at last honours this modest yet much-loved artist, so firmly rooted in her remote island home, but whose significance and reputation is on a national and international scale.”

The photo is copyright Keith Allardyce

Sylivia Wishart Exhibition at RGU

Sylvia Wishart

The exhibition, which is open to the public, will run from 26 March to 20 April in the Georgina Scott Sutherland Library at Robert Gordon University’s Garthdee campus.

Sylvia’s painting entitled “Reflections 2004”

Rubislaw Playgroups

Rubislaw Church Centre, 1 Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen AB15 4AB

Call : 07747 830386 between 9.30am & 1215pm for more info or to arrange a visit. Or contact us by email rubislawplaygroup@hotmail.co.uk Registered Scottish Charity No : SC002911

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Toddlers : Birth to 2 years Wed 9.30-11am

2’s Group : 2 years Tues 9.30-11am

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Playgroup : 2 yrs 6mths to school age Messy Play : Mon-Fri am 2 years-to school age Choose days to Fri 1.15-3pm suit you. Funded Must be places available. accompanied by Parent/carer an adult duties required.

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Local Events Diary Seafield Bowling Club Craigiebucklar 123 Group

Cromwell Gardens Aberdeen AB15 4UF

Spring Fayre Sat 12th May 2-4pm Airyhall Community Centre SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSES SELLING JEWELLERY, CRAFTS,

CARDS, TOYS, CANDLES, SOAP, HAIR ACCESSORIES, CAKES AND MUCH MORE

Entry ÂŁ2 Raffle, Lucky dips and Bottle Stalls too.

Want an enjoyable new hobby? Friendship? Fun? Competition? Open to men, women and juniors. Coaching is availble for beginners. The season begins Mid-April...

Cults Bowling Club

293 North Deeside Road, Aberdeen Recruitment Drive... Lawn Bowls is one of a few sports that is naturally inclusive. Children, parents, grand-parents can find it fun and challenging. The opportunity to try a new sport for the first time is often all a person needs. We at CBC are now giving you the opportunity by holding TWO Open Days Sunday 29 April - 11-4pm All public welcome 21st Annual Animal Blessing Service Saturday 05 May - 11-4 Craigiebuckler Church Hall Junior Section Aberdeen Coaches, along with equipment on Sunday 10th June 2012 at 3pm required will be waiting to give you All animals with their human instruction to help make it a fund companions welcome day. Please wear flat soled shoes or For more information please contact trainers. me at: forrester.m1@sky.com Contact Peter Garioch Tel: 01224 324691 Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

the one stop business shop ... Piano Teacher M: 078901 48059 E: fionapianotutor@live.co.uk

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

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• 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.

gcormack@talktalk.net

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

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*

Reflexology

Contact: Anne-Marie Fegen (RGN,MAR)

Keep Fit, the Fun Way, the Swedish Way

07803 505 827

Contact Faye: 07738 786 926

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

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

W&G WTD12 A5 Advert GEN 28/03/2012 13:28 Page 1

COMPETITION

ALERT

Celebrate the Best of British on Friday 29th June and wear your sporting Wrong Trousers to help change the lives of sick children in local hospitals and hospices across the UK.

HOT LINE 0845 600 1924

Supported by

www.wrongtrousersday.org

Kindly sponsored by

*Competition details on the website Wallace & Gromit’s Children’s Foundation supports children’s healthcare throughout the UK. Registered Charity Number 1096483 © Aardman/Wallace & Gromit Limited 2012

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the one stop business shop ... Adair & McIntosh Ltd

Christie Wood Joinery

Business in a Bag

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.

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

RSVP Lynda 07792532190 - Skincare products are amazing - Business is genius -Turn your expense into an income -Create your own Residual Income Intrigued? Simpson’s Hotel, Queens Rd, Aberdeen Wed 11th April 7-8PM

Tel : 210687

Piano Tuition

T : 01224 - 316978

Piano Teacher West End Well established piano teacher has a few vacancies Philip Garden Painter & Decorator Tel : 735341 Mob : 07902178825

H : 311342

Excellent CVs T: 324962 M: 07745 953 963

Professional resume development service. We write persuasive, effective, clear and concise cvs, carefully tailored to reflect your skills, strengths, experience and career achievements. Maximise your chances of winning that dream job. competitive rates.

Computing for beginners Digital Unite Tel Carol Clark: 01224-591841 www.digitalunite.com

Free Quotes No VAT

Patient, experienced and friendly tutor offers affordable one to one or small group tuition on your own computer. Age no barrier.

BONDING WITH BABY

Compu-Care

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

www.iaimbabymassage.co.uk/laurahenderson

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

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Attract local customers for your local business. Book this space for as little as £17 plus vat ... Whole year £150 plus vat Display adverts start fm : £35+vat

ork ou w out? y n Ca ms e su thes

e! Joke Terim at (answ bottom ge) of the pa

2 Can you get through the maze?

the How did Caveman get into Space?

M NUMAGIC 4 BER 1 5

st ju at , r h be t m her and u t n e , ic og er ag s t oth into r m e h r e b c e th um ea sw w d o an elo n t n i b ! f he xt e To d t ne t th ircle hem d e u t c a ar p

Answer: In a ROCK-et!

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Fashion in Motion Grampian Transport Museums 30th Season. The glamorous worlds of fashion and cars have long been closely intertwined, with the motor industry often paying tribute to fashion through collaborations with big brand fashion houses. From the earliest appearance of the motor car, Burberry has produced menswear and womenswear for motoring with a luxury range of duster tweed motoring coats. Fashion designers have traditionally assisted automobile manufacturers in making their cars more appealing and stylish to both couture-loving and working-class drivers. Cartier chronometers were a standard feature on instrument panels in Mark III editions of Lincoln Continental sedans. Ford Motor Company introduced a car-couture collaboration with luxury fashion design houses including Cartier & Givenchy with the launch of its Lincoln-Mercury Mark V Designer Series in 1979. Whilst the popular working mans brand Levi helped American Motors Corporation design their sporty Javelins. More recently, fashion brands such as Gucci have been designing versions of the Fiat 500 and fashion designer Victoria Beckham has collaborated with Range Rover on their new Evoque model. In recognition of these close ties, final year Fashion Management students from RGUâ€™s Aberdeen Business School have joined forces with Grampian Transport Museum in Alford, which opens for its 30th season in April, to stage an exhibition to celebrate fashion through a styling project displaying trends ranging from the 1930s to 1970s fashion. In preparation of the exhibition, students visited the museum to adopt a vehicle which they then used as styling inspiration. The students researched the era, names, colours, textures and stories behind their chosen cars and motorbikes to come up with unique and stylish outfits. In contrast to Henry Fords famous quote from his 1923 autobiography: â€?You can have any color as long as it's black", the exhibition boasts an array of colorful outfits sourced from leading fashion brand outlets at the Bon Accord & St Nicholas shopping centre. The bikes and student work will be on show at Grampian Transport Museum at Alford opening on 1 April 2012 for a new season with new exhibits. For further information about the Fashion Management course contact Karen Cross, Course Leader on +44(0)1224 263853 or email k.a.cross@rgu.ac.uk.

Murielâ€™s Puzzle Pages Calcudoku

x12

Pictograms

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.

4 words FUN FUN E WORD WORD WORD WORD

2 words

SURFOCUSANCE 3 words

PLOT 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.

20 9 19

11 8

9 3

18 5

11 8

9 9

24 1

26 13

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11 2

4 25

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9 23

26 11 15

4 4

23 1

1 8

2 6

1 10

13 12

25 5

19 26

23 25

3 19

19 23

23 9

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Muriel’s Puzzle Pages NUMBER CRUNCHER

Easy Sudoku

Easy

4 7

16 17

22 25

23 27

20 24

Across

Harder Sudoku

Hard

1. 37 cubed plus 1234 (5) 5. 11 Across multiplied by nine (3) 6. 22 Across plus 7 Down minus two (3) 8. One sixth of 25 Across (2) 9. Seconds in four minutes (3) 11. Three cubed (2) 13. 8 Across plus 2 Down plus 5 Down plus eight (3) 15. 9 Across plus 21 Across minus 16 (3) 16. 25 Across multiplied by 18 Down (5) 17. 27 Across plus 15 Down minus three (3) 19. 3 Down plus 18 Down minus 11 (3) 21. 11 Across plus 26 Down minus four (2) 22. 11 Across plus 2 Down (3) 24. 8 Across plus 11 Across (2) 25. 11 Across multiplied by eight (3) 27. 15 Across plus two minus 28 Down (3) 29. 297 squared minus 4 Down (5)

Down 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

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)

Double 11 Across (2) Months in 11 years (3) 22 Down multiplied by five (3) 24 Across plus 26 Down minus three (2) 2 Down plus 18 Down plus 26 Down plus one (3) 7. 22 Across plus 25 Across minus seven squared (3) 8. 22 Across multiplied by 25 Across (5) 10. 210 squared plus 75 (5) 12. 274 squared plus 8 Across plus one (5) 14. 19 Across minus 19 (3) 15. 21 Across plus 27 Across plus two (3) 18. Two thirds of 22 Down (3) 20. 17 Across plus 1 Down (3) 22. Pounds in 12 stone (3) 23. 6 Across plus 13 Across minus half of 26 Down (3) 26. One twelfth of 25 Across (2) 28. One third of 5 Across (2)

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SOLUTION

NUMBER CRUNCHER

Childrenâ€™s Solution Sums: 26, 3, 49 Magic Number: 212

Hard

Easy

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE 1. thumb missing 2. chair base 3. mug 4. flowers 5. eyebrow 6. mark on table 7. mouth 8. buttons on chair 9. jumper colour 10. mirror on wall Calcudoku

Pictograms 1. Too funny for words 2. Car insurance 3. The plot thickens

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A Proverbial Life ... Ne’er cast a clout till by A. O’Brien May be out I’ve come to the conclusion I’m a wimp who must always be warm, comfortable and, if possible, cosseted from the vagaries of the British weather. If there’s a nip in the air I’ll be wrapped up warmly. If it’s raining I’ll be wearing boots, raincoat and carrying an umbrella. If it’s windy I’ll be buttoned up, tucked in and firmly anchored to my clothing. Yep, I’m definitely a wimp. I never used to think I was a wimp. I was just sensible, dressed appropriately and ‘keeping out the chill’. However, a number of recent events have caused me to question this belief. Firstly, last week the sun shone briefly, weakly and without any warmth. It certainly wasn’t hot enough to discard any clothing, but that’s just what I saw in my local town. Several people (admittedly in their teens) strutting around in shorts and t-shirts. Now, from a distance they looked very nice, but up close the chattering teeth, goose bumps and mottled legs told the true story. I was so tempted to tell them to put on something warm. Not that it’s any of my business...but I am at that age when I feel I can comment on anything and everything. Secondly, whilst driving home one very wet night, I saw a large crowd of teenagers (there’s a theme developing here), absolutely soaked to the skin. All their finery dripping wet, their hair bedraggled, mud splashed up the back of bare legs and trousers trailing in the puddles. They strolled casually, heads down, shoulders hunched against the rain and sleeves pulled down over their hands – as if that would keep them dry! As it had been raining steadily all

day I assume they had not simply been ‘caught out’ by the weather, but had gone out without coats or jackets. I drove past at a snail’s pace to avoid splashing them further, but they were so wet already that I’m sure they wouldn’t have noticed a tidal wave engulfing them. I also resisted the urge to wind down the window, ask them where their coats were and advise them that a bin bag made a good emergency waterproof – not that they had any bin bags of course. Finally, I saw a male jogger cracking along at a great pace one very chilly morning; clutching a plastic bottle of water, headphones in ears and wearing what looked like very expensive trainers. His only other clothing was a pair of tiny black silky shorts; he was totally bare - chested (I would like to say ‘topless’ but I’m not sure if this applies to males). Jogging or running would soon have anyone ‘glowing’, but this guy was positively steaming heat into the cold morning air – can’t be good for you. I mentioned him to my son who said that perhaps he was training for an Iron Man event. I didn’t even know such things existed. If he doesn’t take care he’ll soon be ‘rusty man’ with the amount of sweat he was generating. So there you have it – I’m a wimp (or I could just be getting old). I like to be dry, warm and protected from the elements. As the months pass I will gradually divest myself of layers of clothing: first the hat and scarf, then the boots and finally the coat. A good indication that summer has arrived is when I’m seen without a cardigan... but I’ll always have one close to hand.

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Whoâ€™s Advertising and where to Find Them ...

A pg 6-7 pg 10 pg 55 pg 8 pg 18 pg 63

Aberdeen City Council - Accord Card Aberdeen Sports Council Adair and McIntosh Alan D Cowie Painter Alison McLeod After School Football Aquatic Soul Bathrooms

B pg 12 pg 19 pg 55 pg 47 pg 26-27 pg 55

Be The Change Bling Fling Bonding with Baby Braeside & Mannofield Community Council Buchanans Bistro Business in a Bag

C pg 55 pg 21 pg 31 pg 55 pg 55 pg 47 pg 39

Christie Wood Joinery Ciao Napoli Claremont Gallery Compucare Computing for Beginners Craigiebuckler & Seafield Community Council Cumming Fire and Security

D pg 47 DAWGS pg 5&59 Devonair Hairstylists E pg 39 pg 55 F pg 64 pg 54

E&M Energy Excellent CVs

Four Mile House - Ferryhill Hotel Fiona Carter - Piano Tutor

G pg 54 pg 38

George Cormack G-Dec George Crichton

K pg 39

Happy Plastering Services

J pg 54 pg 28 K pg 54 pg 39 pg 45 pg 6-7

Book space with the gazette today 23 April 2012 is the deadline for the May Issue Tel : 01224-318561 email : gazette@fsmail.net www.thegranitecitygazette.co.uk

Jane Crofts Gibb Junction Art and Gifts

Keep Fit Swedish Style Kenny Davidson - Painter Kingsgate Law Kumiko Beauty www.thegranitecitygazette.co.uk

pg 8+18 Laura Walker Ltd Fitness Classes pg 8 Lee Donald Personal Trainer pg 41 Lilyloft M pg 55

Mrs Charles - Piano Tuition

N pg 55

Neil Angus - IT

O pg 2

Oven Valet

P pg 25 pg 55 pg 38 pg 54 pg 16

Paula McEwen Restaurant Philip Garden - Painter Phil Smart - Electrician Possibilities Counselling Profile Hair and Beauty

R pg 54 pg 37 pg 52

Reflexology - Anne-Marie Fegen Rosemount Joinery Rubislaw Playgroup

S pg 32-33 pg 15 pg 47 pg 50 p 63

Sandy Menzies Jewellery Scott Gilmour Optometrist Seafield & Cragiebuckler Community Council Spik n Span Superior Sewing

T pg 18 pg 2 pg 34

Tiny Talk - Baby signing The Oven Valet The Reel McCoy

U pg 8

Ultra Beauty

W pg 41 pg 40 pg 20

Waterbabies Wise Life Coaching Wine Uncorked

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Design

Supply

Installation

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

www.aquaticsoul.co.uk Tel : 01224 733402

Bathrooms Kitchens

We, Anthony & Ewa, would like to welcome all existing and new customers to our new shop. We are specialists in making and altering bridal/evening dresses, everyday clothing, curtains/blinds, cushions, loose covers and general upholstery. We are no longer associated with Prestige The Laundry.

Tel: 01224 317804 www.superior-sewing.com

28-30 Claremont Street Aberdeen, AB10 6RA

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