Lifestyle Magazine Scotland - December 2022 January 2023

SPEYSIDE SPA

£50 VOUCHER

ROYAL OAK

AFTERNOON TEA FOR FOUR IN MEMORIAM KEEPSAKE

A BOX FRAMED PICTURE

CAMBODIA

SILK SCARF

STEFFIE MURRAY

PT SESSION

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE LIFESTYLE TEAM!

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Steffie Murray

The Scottish Strongwoman

Think of the word strong and what comes to mind? Perhaps you picture somebody whose strength is evident to the eye? Or maybe the word ‘strong’ conjures up the pictures of the emotional and mental fortitude of someone you know and admire. Local Moravian lady Steffie Murray channels both thoughts behind the word. As a strongwoman and weight lifter whose prowess in the sport is generating excited calls for her to be Scotland’s next Strongest Woman, Steffie’s story is interwoven with overcoming mental illness. It all begins with a question, what is a strong woman?

In her own words, Buckie local Steffie comments, “I am a competitive strongwoman in the most literal sense. I pick heavy things up and I put them down, sometimes in a leotard! But strength didn’t just happen to me - I was painfully shy and very nervous. In high school, my struggles with my mental health and body began. I was bullied relentlessly in high school, name-calling in the corridors, giggling and whispering, pushed and spat at. Nothing was done.

“As a result, I dropped out of the thing I loved which was sport, because I lost my confidence.

I would dread going to school, being in tears to my Mum and not wanting to go. I just wanted to disappear.

I couldn’t express with words how desperate I was feeling. I poured myself into my art and the art department was where I would go. At the age of 17 I was accepted into the Grays School of Art in Aberdeen. I was so proud of myself. It

was the opportunity to start again and leave the past behind.

“But I was depressed or touched by fire - as the artistic community would say. It’s a leary expression, ‘Touched By Fire’, not at all what depression is really like. Sitting in your PJs for ten days or not brushing your hair or teeth.

I also had an eating disorder. I had a visceral hate, a disgust for my own body - I was so angry at how I had been treated that I turned that pain and rage inward by self-harming and would binge and purge. Depression is insidious, it strips you of your autonomy. Your ability to think straight or do things.

“People think that eating disorders begin with thin models on a cat walk or celebrities in magazines but it’s not - it’s shame, not feeling good enough or in control. I felt that way my entire teenage existence. You’d think it couldn’t get much worse. During my final year of art school, I was raped.

“This ultimate act of betrayal completely and utterly devastated me, my body no longer felt like my own, I was scared to be in my own skin. I felt like it was my fault and people around me made me feel like it was my fault.

I was told that I should have stopped it. If I had been stronger…I hated having a female body. I didn’t want to be seen as attractive or as a female.”

When people look at Steffie now, they see a strong person. What was the turning point?

Steffie comments, “About eight years ago, I started a process of healing. A friend took me to a boot camp - really loud music, overly enthusiastic instructor and it was at this camp that I discovered that I could lift heavier than those little pink dumbbells. Today, I could

probably lift the instructors! This was the spark that changed the trajectory of my life and I found the wonderful world of strength training.”

What started as a spark would go on to light the real fire that would ignite Steffie’s life and career as a strongwoman into the success story that it is today. In 2019 Steffie took part in her first Strongwoman competition, the Highland’s Strongest Woman, in Inverness.

Steffie looks back on the event and comments, “The thing I remember about that day, it wasn’t the feats of strength or even the fact I came second, it was my Mum - she was screaming at the top of her lungs for me, having my family, my partner, all the friends I had made at the gym were all cheering me on that day. In that moment I reclaimed what had been taken from me. I started training for more competitions, I wanted to bring the title of Scotland’s Strongest Woman home to Buckie.”

Steffie highlights that it was not plain sailing from this period of accomplishment, “I had a breakdown in the pandemic, everything just got too much again. There’s nothing more unnerving for a physically strong person than to feel weak. I’m not WonderWoman. I started training again and this year I took part in Scotland’s Strongest Woman and I came second. Then I got an invite to go to Scotland’s Strongest Woman with Ultimate Strong Man Show - for TV! I got to represent Moray and I came fifth. I got to pull an 8.5 ton truck!”

Steffie comments about her own experiences in strength training and competitions, saying “I felt powerful, able and capable.” There is no doubt that this Buckie local lady’s future does indeed look strong, powerful and capable.

Steffie Dawn Murray Strongwoman

From Zero to ONE

An eleven-year-old girl from the Black Isle is making waves internationally in the martial arts world. Niamh Ross, a mixed martial artist who trains at the HMAC Inverness gym under former world champion, Ross Houston, has embarked on a trip of a lifetime to Singapore to attend not just one – but two –major events staged by sports media company, ONE Championship, as the personal guest of the media giant’s entrepreneurial CEO, Yodchatri Sityodtong.

Having cultivated a substantial following through her production of authentic, quality content, Niamh caught the eye of Yodchatri on social media, where he saw a young martial artist espousing values similar to those he has espoused since founding his ONE organisation; humility, honour, respect, discipline, compassion, integrity and courage. He contacted Niamh and the pair struck up an unlikely friendship, culminating in Yodchatri inviting Niamh and her family to visit as his guests in Singapore to attend “ONE 163” and “ONE on Amazon Prime 4”; both championship events showcasing some of the best martial artists in the world.

Her story is made more remarkable by the fact that Niamh only started her martial arts journey some 18 months ago, when she walked into an HMAC Brazilian Jiu jitsu (BJJ) class run by her coach, Phil Haworth. Phil recalls her arrival, “Once in a blue moon, a student walks into your class that turns what you thought was possible on its head. Her progression over such a short period of time was truly remarkable.” His assessment is accurate – as both current Scottish Kids League Girls champion and the Elite BJJ World Champion, Niamh’s competition record speaks for itself. 2023 promises to be exciting for Niamh, also, having been invited to compete in some of the most prestigious competitions in the world, including the IBJJF European Championships and Enyo Grappling, a women’s only submission grappling pay-per-view event and the biggest of its kind in Europe.

More recently, Niamh has sought to compliment her combat skillset by adding Muay Thai (Thai boxing) and freestyle and catch wrestling, as well as a strength, conditioning and mobility program run by local hero and world’s strongest man, Tom Stoltman, and his brother Luke at the Stoltman Strength Centre in Invergordon. A true mixed martial artist, Niamh’s ambition is to compete professionally in MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), the fastest growing, highest profile

combat sport in the world. It is not insignificant then, that she has caught Yodchatri’s eye –whose ONE organisation is the largest MMA promotion in the world, valued at $1.4bn and with a TV reach of over 400 million people. But the road to professionalism is long and arduous – a road that local gym owner Ross Houston, former Cage Warriors world champion, knows only too well. “Niamh’s commitment to training is single minded, training a minimum of 18 hours a week. She is currently involved in our teen’s classes, as well as adults, ladies only and private lessons; all to accelerate her learning and progression. Despite these hours spent on the mats, Niamh also maintains incredibly high grades in school. I’m absolutely buzzing to see where Niamh’s path will take her.”

Her string of competition successes this year led to Niamh securing an endorsement deal with the fastest growing fightwear brand in the UK, Raine Clothing. Raine is a family-run sustainable clothing business established by a BJJ black belt and born from a desire to make an impact on the way clothing is sourced and consumed, with the mission of causing as little damage as possible to our planet by providing ecofriendly and ethical fightwear – including quality garments made from hemp. This eco-friendly and sustainable mission resonated deeply with Niamh and she relishes being an ambassador not only for their clothing line, but also for the active and extremely competent Raine competition team.

This rapid rise to become one of the highest profile young martial artists in the UK has seen her also rapidly gaining recognition and

exposure across Europe, the Americas and Asia. Her social media following includes some of the most famous, elite level athletes from around the world and Niamh regularly posts interactive videos with a host of these professional athletes. She has also recently turned her hand to podcasting; appearing on several recent episodes of The Big Juicy Creative, MMA UK and, most notably, The Business Jiu Jitsu Podcast, a high-profile show hosted by US entrepreneur, Jordan Edwards, usually focussing on prominent business leaders and ex-military personnel. Niamh was the show’s youngest ever guest but remained typically unphased; spending over an hour chatting with Edwards on subjects ranging from Jiu jitsu and keeping up with schoolwork to Niamh’s summer participation in Mix-U, a US marketing business course and the role of contemporary young people in business.

Despite this rocket ship ascent to success, Niamh remains the same humble, grounded girl that walked into the gym 18 months ago. Whilst aware of the extraordinary things she is manifesting and creating around her, as Jordan Edwards remarked, “It simply doesn’t occur to Niamh that she shouldn’t do these things…or reach out to these people.”

Certainly, the trajectory she is on seems to be bang on track to carry her right to the top of the martial arts world.

Niamh is currently open to exploring commercial opportunities with organisations that share her values and vision to support her in realising her goals. If interested, please contact her on Instagram at niamhross.bjj.

Aimee Morgan, Branch Manager heads to the Mountains

With the colder weather arriving, many of us may be thinking about our plans for the coming ski season. With both the 22/23 and 23/24 seasons on sale, now is the time to book! I wanted to give you a rundown of some of my favourite skiing hot spots.

A beginner is described as someone taking their first steps on the slope. For first-time skiers the resorts of Bansko and Borovets in Bulgaria offer excellent value money being a non-Euro destination. Situated at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, holidays in Bansko take place on a UNESCO world heritage site, it boasts quaint cobbled streets, where the old clock tower has been telling the time for over 150 years. The ULEN ski & board school has some of the best Bulgaria instructors. Combined with a wide-open nursery area and a 7km ski road it's perfect for your first weeks on the slopes. The other option in Bulgaria is Borovets, considered the liveliest of the resorts, why not combine great snow conditions during the day and a wide choice of aprèsski and nightlife? Situated at the foot of Mount Musala, the highest peak in the Balkans, Borovets is suitable for all levels of skiers and

snowboarders. It also has the shortest transfer at 1 hour 30 minutes.

If you are just looking for a long weekend away, Les Gets located in the huge Portes Du Soleil ski area is perfect, just over an hour from Geneva you can be on the slopes by lunchtime. Les Gets is a small and pretty village made up of traditional chaletstyle buildings with shops, restaurants, hotels, and bars lining the main street. If you do have longer then you certainly won’t be bored, Portes Du Soleil covers around 600km of pistes across 12 resorts in France and Switzerland. For even easier access there is a direct Aberdeen – Geneva flight operating on a Saturday.

If you are looking to travel over the Atlantic one of my last snow trips was to Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the USA. Split over two mountains – Rendezvous and Après Vous, giving you 133 runs, including over 75 black and double black runs. Jackson Hole is better suited to intermediate and above skiers and boarders. Rendezvous is where you will find Corbet’s Couloir – for those who are brave enough. To enter the couloir, skiers must drop off a cliff and free fall for 10 to 20 feet before landing on the slope below. For

those looking for wide, tree-lined pistes head to Après Vous where you can happily cruise down the slopes.

Another of my favourite resorts is Sauze D’Oulx in Italy. The Glasgow flight tends to depart on a Sunday into Turin. With over 400km of linked slopes to explore in the Milky Way, you can even ski over to the resort of Montgenevre in France! The village itself is full of character. On a storm-bound afternoon, I wandered around the twisting cobbled streets, taking in the pretty buildings. I may have also stopped for a slice of pizza and a glass of wine at La Griglia. Although still in the Euro Italy does offer better value for money in comparison to France.

At Murray Travel we can help with every aspect of your winter sports trip. We can organize your equipment; lift passes and carriage. For complete beginners, a package including ski/ board lessons offers great value. Even if you

don’t ski/board we can pick the right resort to enjoy a whole host of alternative activities. You could try snowshoeing, snowmobiles, and ice skating. We can also book spa treatments and make restaurant reservations. For families, we can organize creche facilities, children’s group lessons or babysitting services for the evening. There really is something for everyone!

Four seasons hotel in Teton Village, Jackson

@rwo.photography • Elgin

@travelkattours • Cawdor Castle

@megs_visuals • Dr Gray’s Hospital

@rwo.photography • Elgin

Christmas At The Beauty Box

CHRISTMAS BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN Book early to avoid disappointment!

Looking for gift ideas?

Then step into The Beauty Box and choose from a wide array of gorgeous gifts from Lily Lolo Cosmetics, Monu Skincare, OPI Nailcare, Exclusive Boutique Parfum from Shay & Blue and The Scent Boutique collection of candles and diffusers. We also have Gift Vouchers available both in salon and online. We are here to help you with your Christmas list.

Wishing all our clients a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. Thank you for all your support in 2022.

We look forward to seeing you all in 2023.

Open Tuesday 20th Dec 1pm - 7pm

Wednesday 21st Dec 10am - 7pm

Thursday 22nd Dec 1pm - 7pm

Friday 23rd Dec 10am - 6pm

Closed Saturday 24th Dec

Reopen Wednesday

Jan 11th 10am - 7pm

Speyside Spa - Where the welcome is warm and the spirits are lifted

haircuts as well as beard trims and restyles. Sammie’s also an excellent women’s hairdresser and colourist and takes great pride in enhancing the condition and feel of her clients’ hair. Why not try one of her Hair Spa treatments, which bring deep conditioning therapy to tired hair, rejuvenating both you and your crowning glory!

The brand-new Speyside Spa is a collaboration of therapists and practitioners, bringing their services together in Aberlour, the heart of Speyside.

Look out for our very exciting art installation Christmas Window, from December 1st. Local artist Clare-Louise Battersby is designing unique creations with lots of changing elements as Christmas approaches.

There will be a chance to interact and win a prize too, so keep an eye on our social media pages to take part. Perhaps a Christmas gift from Speyside Spa might find its way into your stocking this year, and if you don’t win one, there are plenty of luxury gift bags to choose from, and gift vouchers to solve all your Christmas shopping challenges!

Our beauticians Tania and Laura offer a full range of treatments and enhancements, from lashes, brows, manicures, and pedicures, to luxury facials including light therapy. Waxing, Swedish Massage, Thai Compress Massage, and Hot Stones Massage all on offer most days, including Saturdays.

And we have Sammie, our barber and hairdresser, who offers men’s and children’s

Jemma is an expert at sorting your sports muscle injuries. She is available in Aberlour on Fridays. She’ll identify the root cause of your pain and then work on alleviating the problem. She’s only been with us a few weeks but her reputation for miraculous results is already bringing more and more clients to her treatment couch!

Last but not least we have Edie who brings the ancient Japanese therapy of Shiatsu to the Spa on Wednesdays and selected evenings. Shiatsu is a physical therapy, originating in Japan, that supports and strengthens the body’s natural ability to balance itself. Shiatsu produces a deep relaxation in which mind and body both find healing. Shiatsu treatments are given with the client fully clothed and lying on a padded mat or futon on the floor, on a massage table, or seated. Shiatsu touch usually involves gentle pressure applied by the thumbs and palms; rotations and movement; and comfortable stretches.

So, there’s lots going on at Speyside Spa. Do check out our Facebook and Instagram pages, and our website www.speysidespa.com. We hope to welcome you soon!

Forres Mosset Walk

Tracy undertakes lovely walks all over our beautiful country and we are delighted she has agreed to provide Lifestyle readers with the inside knowledge that she has gleaned from her many adventures.

I hope you enjoy Tracy’s walks? Please do let us know and send us some photos. Follow Tracy goes outside on Facebook (www.facebook.com/tracygoesoutside)

Great circular walks are sometimes not so easy to access if you are using public transport so after a wee bit of research, I found this cracker that takes in so many interesting, historical, beautiful places within a relatively small area. Arriving at Grant Park there is a spacious car park with toilets which is always a bonus. Start the walk just at the information board where you will find a map of the various walks in the area. As you leave the car park via the main

Distance: 4 miles

Time: 2 hrs

Level: Easy with some elevation

Terrain: Pavements and woodland tracks

Access:Arrive by car parking is available at Grant Park IV36 1BG. There is a regular No10 Stagecoach bus that runs between Aberdeen and Inverness with a bus stop nearby. Forres also has a regular train between Aberdeen and Inverness, the station is a short walk from the start.

opening turn right and head along the street. After a short distance you will see the signs for the Sueno’s stone. Cross the road here and go straight on towards the stone. Sueno’s stone stands at an impressive seven metres tall and thought to be carved around mid 800s AD and early 900s AD. The stone has a fantastic information board where you can find out more.

Leaving the stone head back then turn right on to Croft Road. You will start to find the waymark posts which will guide you along the way. Before Croft road curves to left you will see your next waymark that takes you along a track to the right and through a gate. Careful here as you will have to cross the main road.

Once you cross the road you will find a track that takes you along past the railway line, here you will find some fantastic carved wooden sculptures make sure you spot them all. When

Benromach distillery comes into view on your right, you will turn left and cross back over the main road but there is a wee island here in case the road is busy.

Here the marker post will take you along past the Mosset pond, which is beautiful and full of paddling ducks. Once you come to the end of the pond, cross the road and take the road to the right and head towards the war memorial. There is a nice path that runs alongside the Burn of Mosset.

At the Orchard Road cross over the bridge and carry on along the path next to the burn. The road will turn right along past Forres Academy. Just after the academy take a right turn and carry on till you get to Sanquhar Loch, here you will find the beautiful waterfall.

Take the path to the left of the waterfall which takes you on a peaceful stroll through the woods. Once out of the woods, cross over the road and on to the road opposite. This road is very well marked for Nelson’s tower. Once you skirt past the cemetery the path will climb up and will shortly reach the magnificent tower.

Nelson’s Tower was erected by public subscription. The foundation stone was laid in 1806 by James Brodie of Brodie and was completed in 1810. It is open in the summer months, and you climb to the top and admire the beautiful coastal views over Findhorn.

Once you have enjoyed the views and explored the tower area. Return on the same path till you come to the fork, take the right fork down towards Grant Park. You are only a short distance from where you started but before

returning make sure you explore the beautiful gardens, and you could even venture up the High Street and check out the fantastic range of independent shops and cafes that Forres has to offer.

By Clare Louise Battersby

In Memoriam Keepsakes

Iam an artist, photographer, and graphic designer. With 23 years’ experience in graphic design and seven years as a professional photographer. Art is something that I loved when I was younger, and always dabbled but I only really came back into it during lockdown.

I have always been known as ‘a creative’ and having my own beloved pets, I could find nothing available that I personally would choose to keep after they pass as a memento.

This sparked the idea of Pet Memorials – tasteful jewellery or memento box frames incorporating beloved pets’ ashes. I wanted to produce something that I knew I would love myself.

In Memoriam Keepsakes has now launched offering bespoke mourning jewellery and mementoes which I make using a small amount of ashes or a small lock of hair from a loved one or beloved pet.

The ashes or hair are incorporated into resin and then made it into individual pieces of sterling silver jewellery; pendants, earrings, cufflinks, beads and handmade wall art…… there are many options.

These are all standalone pieces of bespoke jewellery, pictures, or keepsake. No one else needs to know the meaning behind these beautiful pieces and how they help you to channel your grief unless you want to tell them.

Each piece whether a picture, keepsake or piece of jewellery is made to your specification and with love after a consultation. I take the time to get to know you, the person or the pet who is no longer with us. Then we can choose favourite colours and for example in seascape pictures I can mix ashes with sand from a favourite beach. It’s all completely personalised.

I only use a small amount of ashes so the rest can still be kept or scattered but ultimately it is a way to treasure and celebrate the life of a human or pet. It becomes part of the grieving process and an outlet.

Many people are often uncomfortable to talk about grief. We don’t like to show it or see it but bottling it up is proven to be so bad for you.

Personally, I feel that if someone shares their pain with me it is a huge honour to be trusted with a time in someone’s life when they are so raw and vulnerable and even better if it helps them a little bit in their grieving process.

@clarelouisebattersby @clarelouisebattersby @clarelouisebattersby

https://www.facebook.com/ClareLouiseBattersbyArtist https://www.facebook.com/inmemoriamkeepsakes

in The Snow

If you go down in the woods today

You're sure of a big surprise

If you go down in the woods today

You'd better go in disguise!

You’d better put your coat on too – it’s winter! Is there anywhere better than Scotland, especially the north east, in winter? Not according to the wildlife that just loves living in the county no matter what time of the year. Get your walking boots on, your little ones wrapped up warmly and let’s see if we can find some.

If you are looking for a way to keep the kids entertained in the school holidays, fancy some fresh air or are you trying to find inventive ways to prise the latest technology from little hands, going for a winter walk is a wonderful way to try a little detective work and engage the kids with nature. How? By looking for footprints in the snow. And not any footprints - animal footprints.

Perhaps you are fortunate to live nearby the woods or maybe you have access to lots of greenspaces. Your own garden can be a wonderful way to whip out a magnifying glass, pick up a trail of tracks and get the little one’s imagination working. Even if the snow hasn’t yet fallen, the beach can be a wonderful way to have a look for animal prints too or maybe even the mud.

Perfect for a woodland walk in one of our many local forests, badgers are likely to hibernate but if the weather is a little milder, they will wake up and wander outside their sett. They will stay out into the wee small hours if the weather is not too bad, but it is more likely that they will go back to bed after a brief forage. Badgers have surprisingly large prints and have five digits with claws.

With their characteristic russet coats, red squirrels are a delight to see especially since red squirrels are sparse in other areas of Britain. With

a special love of the Scottish Pine Trees that were once the backdrop of our landscape, red squirrels have learnt to love urban areas as well as rural ones. Look out for four tracks together and see the snow imprinted with slender paws and claws. Notice how squirrels have a natural energy to their movement and will often jump big distances from tree trunks.

Rabbits and hares like to be snug during the winter, but they will also venture out if the weather is not too bad. They are pretty good at scraping away the snow to get at something to eat and their long tracks are easy to see too, perfect if you want to keep the kids interested after trudging through the snow for a few too many steps!

If you want to see deer in winter, you have to go into the thicker areas of the forests as they gather for shelter and mutual warmth plus offthe-shelf leaves and so on to munch. One point worth remembering is that tracks can sometimes be misleading. The size of a track might change depending upon the speed at which the animal is travelling and if it leaps the tracks will be different again.

Fox prints are easy to spot, as are the foxes themselves and you will occasionally see them out and about in the countryside. If you don’t have easy access to greener spaces, you are even more likely to find them in towns. They are urban visitors, specialising in getting a living among the bins of suburbia.

Don’t forget to look out for otters, pine martens and mink too. Otters and mink of course thrive by waterways and coastal areas whereas pine martens are better seen in woodlands. Otters have large, webbed feet. Look for five toes if you have a clear ‘pawtograph’ and a large pad.

Yes, footprints in the snow, sand or mud can be an enchanting way to while away an afternoon, get the kids moving and help everyone to not only enjoy some sunshine in the cool winter months but also to help connect us all to nature. Happy footprint hunting!

BADGER TRACKS

PIGEON TRACKS

DOG TRACKS

FOX FOOTPRINTS

Thailand/Cambodia Trip: Part One

Iwas sitting in a local coffee shop with Julie Sarab, the previous president of our, now closed, Speyside Rotary Club and she mentioned that AKUN, a charity the club had supported through student sponsorship, had invited her to meet the students, including the young lady the club had sponsored through university who had now graduated. Julie didn’t want to travel alone, so that’s where the idea was born, I immediately jumped at the chance of being her travel buddy. I had never been to Asia before, even though I would describe myself as well travelled, it was an exciting prospect to be travelling to Cambodia.

I didn’t have a long time to think about it and get organised, we only had six weeks, so we had to set about making plans. Much to my excitement we discovered it was actually much more affordable to travel to Bangkok, Thailand than to fly direct to Cambodia, so we decided to make the trip a little longer and do some exploring of Thailand before making our way to Cambodia. The work of AKUN was to start in Phnom Penh, the capital city so it would also give us time to explore the north of Cambodia and visit Siem Reap and Angkor Wat temples.

The planning was really exciting, and we took time to ensure we included as much as possible into our trip. We arrived in Bangkok, having just one night to explore so headed straight out from our amazing hotel (Casa Nithra, seriously recommended) to walk around the city and see what Bangkok had to offer. It was alive and bustling with tourists and street vendors selling their food, which was a treat to our senses, everywhere we walked the smell of fresh food was making us hungry. After walking for a while, we stopped at a street side restaurant to eat and both of us were desperate to try the local

cuisine. Wow, it did not disappoint, not on taste or on our wallet. I ordered a local Tom Yum soup, which was an explosion of flavour, I have never tasted anything so good, I just love food with some fire, and this was on fire! After dinner we hired a tuk tuk to drive us around the city and take us to Chinatown, Eddie our driver was an absolute delight, he kindly gave us a night-time tour of the city pointing out the best places to eat and visit. We finished off our evening with a drink and chill at the roof top pool with amazing night-time views of the city. It was the perfect start to our trip.

We left Bangkok the next morning to travel to Phuket, Patong Beach to be exact and we based ourselves here for the next three nights. We had a few exciting trips planned to explore what Thailand had to offer. The food on offer is just amazing, local fresh produce, no matter where you go, just walking along the streets is an olfactory delight! The view from our hotel was breath-taking and we couldn’t wait to take a walk along the beautiful sandy beach before dinner.

The next day we had a trip to the Green Elephant Sanctuary, they picked us up at 7am

to drive to the park. I was just giddy at the idea that I would get to be so close to an elephant, never mind stroke them and get in the water with them. The Sanctuary cares for rescued Elephants – they are regarded as domestic elephants in Thailand, as they have been privately owned and used for work or tourism. The Sanctuary gives them a relaxed and happy home, it was a delight to see. I have never been anywhere around elephants where it didn’t smell, my experience had been limited to zoos, but the park was just beautiful. The elephants are cared for by their mahout’s, individual carers that will stay with them for life, only when they pass away will the role be passed to a relative, usually a son, you can see the mahouts with each of the elephants in the pictures. The families live on site with the elephants, who have sleeping areas near the mahout and have access to wild forestry to explore and enjoy. They always come ‘home’ because they know what time their dinner is served!

Our experience included, feeding the elephants bananas and bamboo, they were really funny, letting you know if you hadn’t given them enough. We then got into the mud pool and gave the elephants a good old scrub with mud to help exfoliate their skin, then into the pond to rinse them off and have a bit of fun, where they were spraying us with water. Finally, we were able to give them a good brush off in the rain shower area. I was covered from head to toe in bright orange mud, my clothes were ruined, but it was an experience I will never forget, the animals are so beautifully cared for and the Sanctuary really do offer a lovely place for them to live their best life.

We were then served the most delicious freshly cooked lunch by the owner of the sanctuary before we headed back to our hotel. It is a must if you are visiting Thailand, it is a chain and riding free park, which was so important to me, as elephants should not be chained and their backs are not designed to be ridden, it causes damage to their spine.

Next on the agenda was a visit to the famous islands of Thailand, I wasn’t prepared for the beauty and tranquillity they offered, it had to be seen to be believed. We visited a number of islands, including Phi Phi Island, there are two, the north and the south. The north is the larger and we spent a while there just swimming,

snorkelling and enjoying lunch. In the afternoon, we visited the beauty of Phi Phi south, the island in the film The Beach. Maya Bay is just too beautiful for words, although, it was teaming with tourists being ushered in and out – I still managed a picture that makes it look deserted, but it was tough, people kept getting in the

way. I would love to have been sitting there on that beach with no-one there to soak up the beauty and the solitude, but not to be, with one of the world’s most beautiful places. Of course everyone wants there bit of it.

We took the opportunity to relax the next day before having to pack up and get ready for our journey to Cambodia.

Make sure you pick up the Feb/Mar issue of Lifestyle, to read all about Debi and Julie’s extraordinary experiences in Cambodia. Learning about the work of AKUN and visiting the magnificent temple of Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Breakfasts, Lunches, Light Bites, Evening Meals & Sunday Carvery

Beer Garden Craft Beers, Gins and much more Home Baking, Barista Coffee and Our Famous Cullen Skink

Pop in for refreshments and food after a walk along the beautiful sandy beaches on our doorstep. Your dog is welcome too!

Festive Menu served until 23rd Dec

Come for an overnight stay-cation in our beautifully refurbished en-suite bedrooms.

www.theroyaloakcullen.co.uk

Tel: 01542 842762

Email stay@theroyaloakcullen.co.uk

The Larder Huntly

Starting our 20th Year at Watergaw Ceramics in The Chapel!

We would like to send all our patrons old, new, and future our thanks for your support without which we simply would not still be here.

Wishing you all a peaceful, safe, and happy festive season and all the best for 2023 when it comes.

We are open until the 17th of December with our usual opening hours of Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm.

Visitors are welcome in the New Year but by appointment only for January. www.watergaw.com

T: 01261 8610904

AWARDS

November 2021 should have been the first Moray Business Women Awards Dinner back face to face after the awful two years of Covid restrictions. But storm Arwen had other ideas and with the restrictions again stopping the re-arranged Christmas event it all went back online.

So, imagine the excitement on the 25th of November 2022 when finally, the Awards took place at a fabulous in person event at The Stotfield Hotel in Lossiemouth.

There had of course been quite a build up to the event. A record number of entries were received for all award categories this year, and this made it an exceedingly challenging task for the judges.

There were six esteemed judges from across the business community, Lorna Williamson, Business Gateway, Fiona Larg, Chair of SCDI Highlands & Islands Committee, Mairi MacDonald, Royal Bank of Scotland, Rhona Gunn, Moray Council, Shona Mitchell, MD

People Matters and Ann Johnson, President of Association of Scottish Business Women.

They had four categories to judge, Best Emerging Business, Best Established Business, Most Enterprising Business and Moray Business Woman of the Year.

The fifth category, Member of Inspiration is nominated by the members and then voted on. The award goes to the nominee with the most member votes overall.

The closing date for all applications was the 30th September and then the difficult job of reducing what was a magnificent list of applications to a shortlist began. There were four finalists for each of the first four categories and five members were shortlisted for the member of inspiration. Each finalist featured on social media throughout October and November as the build up to the main event on the 25th November when the winners would be announced.

The MBW committee did an amazing job organizing this, the first in person awards event since 2019, and the members and their guests came dressed in all their finery and looking forward to an entertaining evening. They were not disappointed, served with delicious arrival drinks and the opportunity for lots of catching up with fellow members,

many who had not met for some considerable time. On taking their seats they were entertained by DJ Paul T and a very interactive game of rock & roll Bingo which seriously tested their musical knowledge. Prizes for one line, two lines and a full house were eagerly fought over with only one false call, which of course did not escape without total humiliation.

MC for the evening was Ann Johnston, President of the Association of Scottish Business Women and one of the judges. Ann had been a great support to MBW through Covid, joining them on Zoom meetings and keeping their spirits up with her own unique wit and wisdom. Ann was the obvious choice to join them on this important occasion.

Alison Read: President welcomed everyone to the 2022 Awards Dinner and congratulating all the members who took the time out of their business to make the applications for the awards. There were a record number of applications this year which unfortunately means many could not be winners but they all should be proud of their achievements.

After dinner came the main event, the presentation of the awards. The first award, for the Best Emerging Business, was presented by Laura Thomson who won the Best New Business in 2021. And the winner is, Glynis Ferguson of V Fitness & Nutrition. On accepting her award, Glynnis said she had not prepared a speech as she was up against such great candidates. She also thanked everyone in MBW.

Ailsa Stinson the MBW Vice-President presented the second award for the Best-Established

Business. This was a new award this year, the committee felt it was important to recognise the achievements of the many women in established businesses in MBW.

Sarah Holmes of Pencil Me In was the delighted winner of this award.

Sarah told everyone how much winning this award meant to her as she had been short listed so many times before. Sarah thanked her staff and family, without whom she would not be there and thanked the MBW committee for all their support.

The Most Enterprising Business Award was presented by Amanda Nasser who was a finalist in 2019. Helen Smith of Byres Farm was an extremely popular winner of this award as Amanda made the announcement. Helen was overwhelmed, saying “Wow! thank you so much, looking at the line up I can’t believe it, I have only been a member for a few years. I am very honoured. Finally, a shout out to Bev who was a great mentor.”

The Business Woman of the Year was presented by last year’s winner Debi Weir who said it had been a brilliant year for her and knew it would greatly benefit the winner of this award.

Debi then announced the winner as the fantastic Iona Leigh Housby of Findhorn Flower Essence. Iona said she was shocked, but it meant a lot to her. Iona’s Mum started the business thirty

years ago but sadly passed away three years ago. Iona has continued to develop the business and said “This symbolises what happens if you keep working hard. This is for me, my Mum, and all amazing women”

Susan Longmuir presented the member of Inspiration Award as the proud winner in 2021. Susan said “this award is so special as it is nominated by your fellow members

“The winner is our own President Alison Read”

Alison had reflected from being nominated

in 2018. “It is important to take the time to say to your fellow members, I see you and appreciate you. I am honoured to be among all these amazing women tonight”

The raffle for the evening was of course for the MBW charity of the year Moray School Bank.

The final total raised for the year will be announce at the AGM on the 15th December, but so far it is over 5K which is a fantastic achievement.

ROSIE BARRON IS THE TIDY COO

Rosie Barron is The Tidy Coo, an award-winning Professional Organiser, who works with clients to help them Declutter and Organise their homes and live a more relaxed life. A Master KonMari Consultant and member of APDO (the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers), Rosie lives in Aberdeenshire with her husband, four Home Educated children, nine ponies, six dogs, three cats, four bunnies, chickens, ducks and fish which all Spark Joy.

As we head into the end of 2022 and face the beginning of 2023, I thought that it would be worth looking at why we should declutter and organise, and reminding ourselves of the easiest way to get it done.

To me, getting organised is not about having a perfect home, but about letting go of the things that hold you back so that you can focus on doing the things that you want to do. It’s about having a home that supports you, not a storage facility or a landfill site.

With that in mind, these are the Golden Rules that I use whilst decluttering:

1. Start with your vision. There’s a reason that vision work is included in almost every self help

book and that is because it is such a powerful tool. Imagine I could wave a magic wand, what would your home look like?

2. Declutter first. Never try to organise what you can discard! I have come across organisational systems worthy of a museum where the items either sit in stasis, unused, or the owner is driven nuts trying to keep it all tidy. Discard first, then you can organise.

3. Choose Positively. Choosing positively what to keep drives a mindset shift from choosing negatively what to let go of. Making small positive choices day after day has a huge impact on your mental health and your enjoyment of your life.

4. Go for the Easy Wins. Never start by trying to decide what you should do with Great Aunt Betty’s teaset – start with your sock drawer, or the dried up pens, or the out of date food. Once you have learned how to make the easy choices, the harder ones are not so hard!

5. Work in Categories. It really is the best way to make progress – it can be hard to make a

Images: Laura Walter Photography

decision on how many things to keep if you don’t know how many you have!

6. Handle everything. Often people tell me that a particular drawer doesn’t need doing, but invariably once it is done, more space is cleared. It’s only by touching every single thing in your home that it becomes easier to live.

7. Let Go with Gratitude. It can be hard to let things go, but thanking them for what they have done, or what they have taught you really and truly does make it easier to let go. Just try it, you don’t have to say it out loud!

8. Work on your own journey first. It’s no fun being steamrollered into doing something! Focus on getting yourself tidy and organised before trying to push someone else into doing it. Almost inevitably, other people will be pulled along in your wake.

9. Don’t get hung up on perfection. So often I find people who have got stuck in a category. Don’t worry about making each space perfect, because as you go along the spaces in your home change and you will have wasted time and energy if you get a space completely beautiful and then have to change it!

Although you should not worry too much about storage solutions as you go along, I do have some suggestions.

• When deciding where to put something, ask yourself where you would look for it.

• Make sure that things are easy to put away.

• Put your systems where the issues are.

• Store like with like.

• File Fold your clothing so that you can see it easily.

• Use shelf risers and over door hangers to make use of vertical space.

• Keep work surfaces clear.

• Avoid boxes with lids! Drawers are easier.

Once you have got your home tidy and organised, if you live with other people, then I suggest getting some “Standard Operating Procedures” drawn up. This is a daily, weekly and monthly checklist of everything that needs doing. I have one stuck on my fridge in my home and it means that no one has an excuse for not getting things done.

Finally, remember that sometimes we need to take things away from our lives to make ourselves happier, and sometimes we need to add to our lives. Make sure that you make space for the things that make you smile. It’s not about bare minimalism and living the life of a hermit (although sometimes that appeals!), it’s about living a life surrounded by things that you love and that support you.

As ever, remember that you know where The Tidy Coo is if you need help! We have everything from completely free help on social media and the website, to a book, to a decluttering course, to in-home help. Have a fabulous Christmas and New Year!

Bio: Rosie Barron is The Tidy Coo, a Professional Organiser. A Master KonMari Consultant and member of APDO (the Association of Professsional Declutterers and Organisers). Rosie lives in Aberdeenshire with her husband, 4 Home Educated children, 11 ponies, 6 dogs, 3 cats, 4 bunnies, chickens, ducks and fish which all Spark Joy.

Pregnant? 5 Ways To Rock The Festive Season

By Sophia Hanson

Iknow the headline made you want to gag, but your curiosity got the better of you didn’t it? There’s so much cliched advice out there when it comes to being pregnant over the festive period but it can be a real drag if your friends and family are happily gulping down the mulled wine and you’re on your tod nursing your fifteenth glass of juice.

The darker nights are perfect for snuggling up, enjoying early nights, and feeling joyous at “not doing much.”

Here are five more ways you can rock the festive season:

1. Create an oxytocin fest Who doesn’t love a twinkly Christmas light or two? Bring it all out! Did you know that all those feel good festive feelings (dimmed lights, candles, music, great scents, happy music) help release oxytocin into your body? Also known as the love hormone, oxytocin helps you to relax and feel more positive. When the time is right it will also help to stimulate contractions.

2. Binge on the Christmas movies while using your birthing ball Tempting as it is to lounge about and binge watch Love Actually, it’s a whole lot better for you and your baby if you stay active as well as rest. Sit on your birthing ball and circle your hips, drop onto your knees and lean your forearms against the ball, or pop the ball between you and the wall and use it

to massage your back – all of which you can do while watching your fave movies. And, if you fancy it, I’m running online prenatal yoga classes!

3. Enjoy the option of more time with friends and family (and have no qualms about saying no) There are always more demands on your time over Christmas and you’re in the perfect position to say no if you don’t fancy it! If you love spending time with family and friends let them know what you will and won’t do (don’t be the designated driver at 3am unless it’s on your bucket list!). And, if you already have children and would love a little you time, it’s the perfect opportunity to make the most of your family’s willingness to spend time with them so you can nap or chill out.

4. If you’re usually the one doing all the cooking, take a back seat

The kitchen gets very very hot; you just might need a little lie down. I’m sure you’ll have recovered after you’ve eaten the wonderful meal that magically happens in your absence!

5. If you exchange gifts ask for things you really want, not just baby stuff!

It’s lovely to receive lots of new baby stuff, but you’re having a baby, not turning into one!

Why not ask for money towards a massage or a cleaner, something that really does support you to feel good!

I’d love to hear what else you’d add to this list?

The Acrylics

It seems to be a regular theme, that bands have come together during lockdown……..

The Acrylics are one of those bands.

Jay Taulier and Blair Gillies had been playing in a band since school days when in 2020 Jay was contacted by his friend Callum Cowie, who was looking for a drummer to join him in a band he was looking to put together.

Jay then spoke to some more of his friends as they needed a bass and lead guitarist. This was how the Acrylics were first formed.

Jay started out as the drummer, but his true love is guitar, so when Alex, the lead guitarist

left to join the Army, it was agreed he would be the lead guitarist and they would find another drummer. Flynn SP joined the band and that is now the line up

Jay Taulier - Lead Guitar

Blair Gillies - Bass/Backing Vocals

Callum Cowie - Rythm Guitar/Lead Vocals

Flynn SP - Drums

Jay is the common denominator having known all the guys, Blair and Flynn were friends and Jay and Blair had gone through school together.

All the guys are now 18 and they are passionate about their music.

They describe themselves as Indie Rock and all four of the guys are contributing to the song writing.

They have just been in the studio and recorded 4 tracks for an upcoming EP.

The EP will be launched in January

The band are delighted with the way their music careers are going already.

One of their ambitions, to play at the Ironworks in Inverness has already been achieved, supporting the band Definitely Oasis.

They have also supported Forgetting the Future, the band Lifestyle featured last issue, at a gig in Nairn. Forgetting the Future approached the band having listened to some of their demos and liked what they heard and asked them to join them in Nairn.

The band are contacting festivals and venues and are pleased with the response they have been getting so far.

Winter wellbeing a top priority for all!

This winter we may have worries about our own and other’s wellbeing. It can be a time of excess and a time for reflection, both can be wonderful as well as a challenge for many. One of the best ways to stay well is to think about five area that we can do something in each day. These five areas spell out the anacronym CHIME – Connection, Hope, Identity, Meaning and Empowerment. Moray Wellbeing Hub, who deliver courses and events in Moray to improve wellbeing and understanding CHIME, have popped a quick check list to help. This list is just as useful in helping others you might be worried about.

Connection: Humans are social animals and need one another to stay well. Reach out daily to people you value that make you feel good. It could just be a friendly hello to a neighbour or a text between colleagues but should feel meaningful and authentic.

Hope: Check out your levels of hope and optimism. If these start to dip reach out to people, you trust or support services like Breathing Space or the Samaritans. Suicide and self-harm are topics we often are shy about addressing. If we talk about them we can save lives, including our own, and show others we care.

CHIME check for mental health

If an emergency do as you would with any health issue and call 999

Identity: Having a role or purpose is important for everyone regardless of their age. Reflect on what you do for others. If it is too much, then consider setting boundaries to give you some personal time. If it is not enough look at how you can get busy over the season perhaps with some volunteering.

Meaning: Winter means Christmas to many people but not everyone. Find your meaning in the season, this might not follow religious or cultural norms around you. Seek out others who can give you ideas on how to celebrate or mark the season.

Empowerment: If you need more ideas on how to support your own and others wellbeing visit the Moray Pathways to Wellbeing online tool to help give you ideas and connect you with what can work. Not all services shut in holiday periods, especially those who support those impacted by the cost of living, addiction and abuse.

For more information on getting active around mental health in your community, contact Moray Wellbeing Hub via their website: www.moraywellbeinghub.org.uk

Pathways to wellbeing in Moray tool can be found at: www.discoverpathwaysmoray.org.uk

Breathing Space is a free, confidential phoneline service for any individual who is experiencing low mood and depression, or who is unusually worried and in need of someone to talk to.

Lines are open from 6pm – 2am Monday to Thursday and 6pm – 6am Friday to Monday AM

Call: 0800 83 85 87

Visit: www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk

Childline

Childline is a counselling service for children and young people up to their 19th birthday in the United Kingdom provided by the NSPCC. Get help and advice about a wide range of issues via telephone, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.

Call: 0800 1111

Visit: https://www.childline.org.uk/

Health Care and Advice

WE ARE STILL MAKING DELIVERIES IF NECESSARY. DUE TO THE VOLUME, WE WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU COULD ARRANGE COLLECTION OF YOUR

come in and ask for details.

Come along to Bishopmill Pharmacy’s digital photolab for all your photographic requirements.

The new NHS Pharmacy First Service launched at the end of July. Bishopmill Pharmacy is able to offer you expert

Twin Towns

Some might say double the trouble, others might say twice the spice - yes, twins have the marvellous ability to create a wonderful opportunity for bringing out the best in any given situation. Certainly, when it comes to twin towns Scotland has many fascinating pairings.

Over the next few issues, Lifestyle will highlight a selection that we are aware of across the north east. We start with three of the Moray towns and settlements with exotic continental cousins.

The practice of twinning towns became popular in the years that followed the Second World War when it was seen as paramount to peace to foster international relations by means of bringing two towns or villages together in Britain, Germany, France, America, Canada and so on. If international communities could learn to see each other through the lenses of individual people and families, then war was sure to be discouraged in the future.

By Mica Bale

together in 1972 after an event fifty years ago. One day a group of tourists from Hersbruck were visiting Lossiemouth when their bus broke down. Taking shelter with the local residents, a great friendship was born that day, leading to the eventual twinning of the two towns and continued friendly relations with frequent visits between the families who live in each of the towns. Reportedly there were even wedding bells with a local Lossiemouth lady marrying a Hersbruck gentleman! With more than one thousand miles between the twins, what is this Bavarian beauty like?

Hersbruck is typical of its roots, complete with its Gothic architecture and a history that dates back as early as 976. Visitors to Hersbruck will be able to enjoy Germany’s only German Shepherd Museum - no, not in celebration of the handsome dogs which hail from Germany, rather the only museum that highlights the heritage and living condition of herdsmen!

Forres and Her Many Siblings - Now whilst Forres does not strictly have a twin, it certainly is one town in a set of quadruplets! Originally Forres was twinned with Vienenburg in 1984 however this international family welcomed several more to the clan when our Scottish stronghold was linked with America’s Mount Dora in 1990 and Germany’s Goslar in 2016.

Lossiemouth and Hersbruck - Our own lovely Lossiemouth is twinned with the Bavarian town of Hersbruck. The towns were twinned

Vienenburg

Hersbruck

Vienenburg, originally its own municipality before being incorporated into Goslar, is situated in Lower Saxony.

Two years after being added to Goslar, the entire region joined together with Forres. Boasting a UNESCO World Heritage site for its Old Town, Goslar is also known for being the ancestral home of Siemens, renowned for their high achieving family members, who are today the 8th most wealthiest family in Germany.

Mount Dora a city in America’s Florida and a twin or sister of Forres.

Mount Dora renowned its vibrant olde worlde aesthetic. Founded in 1874, Mount Dora is keen celebrate its Scottish sister, offering its own Tartan, a brand of tea, the special opportunity to learn to play the bagpipes and a Burns Night each year!

Elgin and Landshut - The county town of Elgin is perfectly matched with Bavarian city Landshut which is located in the South East of the country. The two settlements were twinned

in 1956 making it one of the oldest pairings in Scotland. To celebrate the match, a special tartan was designed that incorporated the colours of both settlements and their respective country’s colours. Landshut is an historic city that was originally founded by Louis I, Duke of Bavaria in 1204 who also had the impressive Trausnitz Castle looming over the settlement built around the same time.

Among Landshut’s interesting residents was Marlene Neubauer-Woerner, a female sculpture artist who attended a special school in Landshut which specialised in ceramics. Amazingly, born in 1918, she completed a Master’s degree by the time she was just seventeen!

Certainly both Scotland and our Continental cousins are enriched by the interaction and partnership that each of these twin towns enjoy. Don’t forget that there are often activities which encourage friendly relations and an interaction between each village, city and town. Why not see where your local settlement is twinned with and see if you can get involved? After all, twins certainly bring twice the spice!

Goslar

Landshut

Landshut

You work hard to support your family and enjoy life, so it makes sense that your money should knuckle down too. This is where a little expert advice can make all the difference

Our lives are busy and complicated. Families today can be fragmented, increasing demands on our time. You’d be forgiven for thinking that the latest technologies should make things easier, but that’s not always the case. In fact, information overload can often leave us feeling overwhelmed and unsure about which way to turn.

In so many areas, we rely on experts to point us in the right direction. If your car breaks down, you see a mechanic. If a tooth aches, you go to the dentist. The same should be true of our finances. Why wouldn’t we ask the experts and make sure they’re being managed effectively?

Discover our holistic approach

We understand that everyone’s finances are unique. So at St. James’s Place we strive to offer a long-term, relationship-based service that focuses on what you need, as well as what motivates and inspires you. It’s this holistic approach that means we can then find solutions that work well together and match your attitude to risk.

Somuchfinancialchoicecanbebewildering. We’reheretoguideyouandadvise onchangestothefinanciallandscape andtheoptionsavailableforyou

Knowing that your investments are being managed by seasoned professionals and that your worries are our concern can be a huge relief. You can also relax in the knowledge that we’ll be here to support and guide you on every step of your financial journey.

We want to know you and your finances inside out – and keep it that way. After all, we’ve learnt from experience that the best wealth management service comes via thorough understanding and personalised, face-to-face advice. It’s what we’re passionate about.

Here’s where we can we help

You can trust us with a number of financial solutions. From a broad range of funds providing the potential to grow your savings and protect them against inflation, to pension advice – whatever your age. We can also help you make the most of retirement, find the best protection for you, your family and your business, and advise on Inheritance Tax issues.

If you’re remortgaging, downsizing or buying your first home, let us help you find the mortgage that will work for you. Whatever it is you need, we have your needs at our core.

Wetakethetimetoreallyknowyour financesandfindwaysofmakingyour moneyworkharderforyou

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and the value may fall as well as rise. You might get back less than you invested. The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time and are generally dependent on individual circumstances.

Get in touch

If you’d like us to help you make the most of your hard-earned savings, give us a call. We’d like to get to know you.

MERRYCHRISTMAS TOALLOURCUSTOMERS!

New bed or sofa in time for Christmas? Choose from wide range in stock

New in is this very clever riser /recliner chair with removable arms for easy access Range of riser/recliner chairs available from stock

HOME DECOR

Large stock of Beds and Mattresses, Mobility Rise and Recline Chairs, Pictures and Gift Ware all available for immediate delivery.

Ideal Christmas gifts’

ALWAYS NEW STOCK FOR YOU TO COME AND SEE

FREE DELIVERY • WITHIN A 60 MILE RADIUS

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5th January 20% off all orders Further reductions in store

Mon to Sat 9am - 4pm

Sunday CLOSED

CLOSED 22ND DEC TO JAN 4TH INCLUSIVE

Growing Your Business In A Shrinking Economy

With most financial experts predicting a “Challenging” 2023, what does this mean for your business? How do you grow your business in a shrinking economy?

Have you ever wondered why in challenging times some businesses seem to thrive, while others in the same industry simply struggle to pay rent?

How do you thrive, not just survive? The first mistake many business owners make in challenging times is they reduce or stop marketing and advertising, the reality is, the opposite is true. This graphic illustrates why.

In “normal” times the number of opportunities and businesses “chasing” them are balanced. As we enter challenging times the opportunities reduce, in this illustration by more than half. Panic, panic ? No. Look what happens to the number of businesses ACTIVELY chasing those opportunities, they have reduced substantially as the default reaction in a downturn is to cut back. The irony in this illustration is that there are MORE opportunities.

Of course your advertising is just ONE part of your overall strategy in a shrinking economy. How well do you differentiate yourself from

your competitors? Do NOT make it about price. People don’t buy on price, they buy on VALUE.

If you are the same as me, and I am the same as you, and we’re both the same as them, then the customer WILL ultimately make that decision on price. However, if your business or product shines head and shoulders ABOVE your competition, then the sale is yours, possibly for more than your competitors.

Make it easy for your customers to buy from you. Sounds obvious yeah? Businesses create “barriers” every day. Online offers advertised that don’t take you DIRECT to the offer. Businesses that don’t accept Amex, or indeed don’t accept cards at all. Too many clicks on the website. Hidden costs and conditions. Look around your business, how can you make it easier for your customers to buy from you?

As we enter 2023, don’t let the media depress you, there ARE opportunities, they just aren’t always obvious. Don’t stop the marketing, differentiate, and make it easy for your customers to buy from you. Have a Prosperous and Profitable 2023.

Don’t Miss

These Festive Events in

Aurora Productions Presents

Aladdin

Tuesday 29 November – Saturday 3 December

The Stewarts Hall, Huntly

Join Aurora Productions for this year’s panto - Aladdin!

Book tickets at https://auroramusic.co.uk/ box-office/

Huntly Festive Farmers' Market

Saturday 3 December, 9am - 1pm The Square, Huntly

The regular line up of stallholders bringing the best of seasonal local produce and special guest stalls including wreaths, seasonal gifts, gins, rums and street food.

HuntlyCrafters Craft Fayre

Saturday 3 December, 9.30am – 2pm

The Gordon Arms Hotel, The Square, Huntly

A host of local crafters offer a range of handmade items offering the perfect Christmas gifts for family and friends. Come along and have a browse.

Huntly

Rotary Club of Huntly

Santa Run

Saturday 3 December – Saturday 10 December

Greet Santa as he travels around Huntly in his sleigh spreading festive cheer. View his route at www.experiencehuntly.com

Santa & Reindeer Visit

Sunday 11 December, from 4pm

The Square, Huntly

Come along and see Santa and his reindeer before their busiest night of the year! Small selection of stalls. The Rotary Club of Huntly will also announce the Citizen of the Year 2022 and a cheque will be presented for their chosen charity.

Huntly Festive Farmers' Market

Sunday 18 December, 10am - 1pm

The Square, Huntly

A final chance to stock up before Christmas as stallholders bringing the best of seasonal local produce and special guest stalls including wreaths, seasonal gifts, gins, rums and street food.

Christmas Eve Charity

Tractor Run

Saturday 24 December

The Auction Mart, Huntly

Judging at Huntly Auction Mart at 6pm. Tractors depart at 6.30pm for The Square, Drumblade and Gartly, returning to Huntly Auction Mart. In aid of Alzheimer’s Scotland.

www.experiencehuntly.com

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands

Earlier this year I was delighted to announce Scotland’s Vision for Agriculture. It is a vision with food production at its heart and makes clear our support for farmers and crofters in providing the country with healthy nutritious food.

How our food is produced is an important consideration for consumers and I am very clear that there is no contradiction between the production of high quality food and producing it in way that delivers for climate and nature.

Sustainable food production is an outcome that we know can only be reached by working with our producers, rural Scotland and our nation more broadly.

That is why we launched a public consultation on our proposals for a future Agriculture Bill in August, which included a number of in-person and online events across the country.

These events have ensured that everyone, from all walks of life, has been able to make their views known on issues that affect us all – and the generations that will follow.

The consultation outlines the model for future support payments which are vital to the sector and rural economies throughout Scotland. Through the challenges of Brexit, Covid-19 and now the ongoing war in Ukraine, we have already seen just how resilient the food sector is.

However, the sector continues to face significant challenges that put at risk its ability to provide accessible and affordable produce –something that is vitally important in the face of a continuing cost of living crisis.

With this in mind, a Food Security Unit is currently being established to monitor ongoing supply chain vulnerabilities and linking with future food security work.

But the fact is it is the UK Government that holds many of the levers to help address the issues currently affecting the food and drink sector, for example, CO2 shortages, sharp increases in fertiliser, energy and fuel costs.

It speaks volumes however, that I wrote to the then Defra Secretary of State to raise these important issues, but have yet to receive a response.

Closing dates:

How did that happen? The last issue of 2022 already. Some amazing prizes have been won throughout the year. A massive thank you to all my generous advertisers who contributed. I am really bad at asking the winners for feedback, but we do get some, and last issue Pauline from Nairn spent her NEOS voucher with Maggie New and bought a beautiful painting called “Winter Calling”

If you want to be the next lucky winner, you know what to do. Don’t forget your contact details please.

COMPETITION CODES

ROYALOAKTEA

Afternoon Tea for four at the The Royal Oak

MEMKEEPSAKE

A box framed picture to the value of £50 including a consultation

SILKSCARVE

Beautiful Silk Scarf from Cambodia

SPAVOUCH

£50 voucher towards any treatment, hair care or product

PTSTEFFIE

PT session with Strong Woman

Steffie Murray

Congratulations to our Oct/Nov winners.

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For the last issue we have an always popular Afternoon Tea for four, this time kindly offered by The Royal Oak, Cullen.

One of the beautiful Memorial Keepsakes from Clare-Louise Battersby could be yours with a £50 voucher.

Some gorgeous silk scarves have been brought back from Debi Weir’s Cambodia trip to raise funds and Lifestyle purchased one as a prize for our readers.

After the stresses of the festive season a nice relaxing visit to the Speyside Spa may be the ideal treat and a £50 voucher will certainly be welcome, I’m sure.

Last and definitely not least, this would be a great start for your New Year. A PT session with Moray’s own Strong Woman Steffie Murray.

Remember your competition codes and please send multiple entries on one card.

Terms

& conditions: All Lifestyle competition prizes are kindly donated by Lifestyle advertisers. There is no entry fee, one e-mail or postcard with the relevant codes is all that is necessary. Winners are chosen at random by a computer generated programme. There is no cash alternative available. Names of winners will be published in the following issue.

Bijou Lunch