Lifestyle Magazine Scotland - February March 2023

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MEMORY BESPOKE CREATIONS

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GOOD FOR THE SOUL

By Mica Bale

Hobbies! For some people hobbies are an essential part of their lifestyle or indeed a major part of formulating their identity. For others hobbies present a great opportunity to take a step back from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to relax, still others have managed to turn their hobbies into a successful business. But what if you don’t have a hobby or fancy to try something new this year? Here’s a handful of hobbies you might like to give a go.

Liqueur Making - If you are not ready to commit to the complete home brewing setup, liqueur making might well be a happy middle ground. There are countless recipes available for simple liqueur from raspberry or strawberry to sloe or blueberry. Whether you are looking at making a cordial for summer enjoyment or want to get ahead for next year’s homemade gifts and winter goodness, liqueur making is relatively simple, usually requiring only three key ingredients; sugar, fruit of choice and a strong alcohol such as vodka or gin. You’re sure to be popular with friends and family!

hand at geocaching? According to Outfit Moray, geocaching is ‘treasure-hunting using GPS co-ordinates and cunning skills to locate hidden boxes’ under the basis of ‘take an item, give an item’. Geocaching is a great way of making your usual walks more exciting. There are several opportunities locally and it is a great way to engage the kids. Added to that, it is completely free and only requires willing walking legs and a smartphone for GPS co-ordinates!

Geocaching - If you are aiming for a more active year or to enjoy looking at the landscapes around us, have you thought of trying your

Album Assembling - We all know that photography is an often mentioned hobby and many have found endless pleasure in capturing amazing images. In reality though, some people just

do not have the time or circumstances to feel able to grasp this activity. Album assembling on the other hand is a perfect opportunity for those who maybe are not as mobile or fancy a little cathartic release. If you have bundles of old photos or family black and white images, then could you set time aside to take a trip down memory lane and assemble a comprehensive album? This is not only a lovely way to awaken buried memories but it is also a lovely gift to the future generation of your family. Could you write a little note explaining the picture or who is in it? Maybe even a little sentiment that you want your loved ones to remember? If you want to make it really fancy, why not find an old leather bound album to add a somewhat Dickensian charm?

Mudlarking - A hobby that encourages activity, mudlarking is an old trade that has origins rooted deeply in the Victorian era. As unglamourous as the name may sound, mudlarking is a similar hobby to fossil hunting but rather is based around tidal areas of rivers or estuaries. The Mudlarkers were generally based around the Thames but other locations in

the UK often reveal a treasure trove of different opportunities. You can mudlark with or without a metal detector and often some very exciting or interesting finds can be discovered including coins and pottery to other artefacts from yesteryear.

Book Binding - In recent years book binding has taken on new interest. Perfect for people who already have hands-on experience or indeed for amateurs who just want a new challenge, bookbinding is an unusual hobby that is very slowly developing new legs as the generations continue. In reality, it is rather a dying trade. Old books with broken spines are often discarded despite the fact that the information contained within cannot be found on the internet. If you are a bookworm with a huge library, could you take on the task of becoming a book doctor? Of course, there are as many hobbies as there are people engaging in them. If you fancy something that isn’t knitting or perhaps just want a new or unusual challenge to try this year then why not give a go at one of these interesting hobbies?

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Gray Composting Services, located near Fordyce, will celebrate 15 years of business later this year, after being established in late 2007 by the Gray family. Having already been involved in farming in the area for over 70 years, the family recognized that due to changes in legislation, forced upon the waste and agricultural industries, along with over reliance upon pesticide use, inorganic fertilizers (which have soared in price recently due to the war in Ukraine), rising energy costs and increasing food waste and landfill reliance, meant there was something that they as a business could do to help.

The business processes organic wastes such as food waste, garden waste, untreated wood, fish processing waste, maltings waste etc from both the private and public sector. These wastes, which would previously have ended in landfill,

are collected by their two lorries, in either skips or wheelie bins (ranging from 120, 240 and 500 litre bins up to 35 cubic yard skips), are then transformed, during a 9 week process, into a high nutrient compost. This compost is all used directly on the family farms to produce a range of crops including potatoes and barley. It is all part of a circular economy, which sees the food waste produced in many businesses such as food production, hotels, restaurants, cafes, chip shops, schools, care homes and distilleries forming the building blocks to produce more food.

Customers are based as far as Macduff in the east to Findhorn/ Forres in the west and as far inland as Dufftown in the south. They are provided with everything they need to start their food waste collections including the bins,

kitchen caddies and compostable liners. Collections are tailored to the customers’ needs and frequency can be varied through the seasons, from weekly to fortnightly, or even monthly and staff are always on hand to provide support and advice whenever required.

The benefits of diverting the types of wastes utilised by Gray Composting Services away from landfill and into compost are wide and varied. The methane that would be produced from the landfill sites is 84 times more potent as a greenhouse gas, than CO2 in the short term, and when converted to compost and used on agricultural land, it can then actually sequester carbon. Other benefits include protecting agricultural land from soil erosion, increasing disease suppression and therefore a reduced requirement for chemicals, increased resilience to floods and droughts, increases in soil fertility, nutrient storage capability, soil structure and water retention to name but a few. That’s why, more than ever, USING GRAY MATTERS!

You can visit Gary Composting Services at:

www.graycompost.co.uk

Email: info@graycompost.co.uk

Or Tel: 01542 842721

Memory Bespoke Creations

Shona Woods started sewing when she was seven years old. She would watch her mum making her own evening outfits and Shona collected all the material scraps to create outfits for her dolls.

She progressed on to making her own outfits and when her own daughters came along, they benefitted from their mum’s talents.

But it was during the Spice Girls Revolution that her daughters decided they had had enough.

Unperturbed Shona shifted her focus and became a qualified kilt maker. It was then that a friend asked her if she would make some ‘Worry Munchers’ for CLAN. This was an excellent way of making use of the tartan remnants.

Another friend then asked Shona if she would make two memory bears out of her late mum’s clothes. These bears were seen by one of her friends and so she also wanted Shona to make some.

Shona realised there was a demand and this gave her the confidence to advertise……and as they say, the rest is history.

Shona will make you a unique keepsake bear, elephant, monkey, cushion, rose etc.

Every one is handcrafted from cherished clothing belonging to your loved ones.

This is a beautiful way to keep memories alive, your own bespoke tailored bear handmade by Shona.

There are many occasions you may wish to keep and treasure in this way.

Baby’s first clothes, Special birthdays, Graduation, Wedding, Retirement, In memory of a lost loved one or a family pet.

These items are not sold as toys for children to play with but they can be cuddled!

6 Destinations to explore this spring

Spring is the perfect time to explore Europe, as the weather is warm and the flowers are in bloom. It’s a great opportunity to escape the cold and grey of winter and enjoy some much needed sunshine without having to take too long a flight – perfect for a weekend away… or longer.

From bustling cities to idyllic islands, there are plenty of destinations in Europe that are perfect for a spring holiday. Here are some of the best to enjoy some sunshine in the spring:

stunning architecture and delicious food. The city is home to many famous landmarks such as the Belem Tower, the Jeronimos Monastery and the Sao Jorge Castle, all of which are perfect for exploring during the spring months. The city is also home to many delicious restaurants, where you can try some of the freshest seafood in Europe.

Santorini, Greece

Santorini is a beautiful island in the Aegean Sea that is perfect for a spring holiday. The island is known for its stunning sunsets, crystal clear waters and white-washed buildings. The island is also home to many beautiful beaches, such as Red Beach and Black Beach, which are perfect for relaxing and soaking up the sun. The island is also home to many delicious seafood restaurants.

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is a city that truly comes alive in the spring. With its warm temperatures, vibrant culture and stunning architecture, it’s the perfect destination for a city break. The city is home to many famous landmarks such as the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and Casa Batllo, all of which are perfect for exploring during the spring months. The beaches are also a great place to relax and soak up the sun, with Barceloneta being one of the most popular spots.

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is another city that is perfect for a spring holiday. It is known for its warm climate,

Venice, Italy

Venice is a city that is perfect for a romantic break. Known for its beautiful canals, stunning architecture and delicious food, the city is home to many famous landmarks such as the Rialto Bridge, the Basilica di San Marco and the Palazzo Ducale, all of which are perfect for exploring during the spring months. Venice also offers a variety of traditional Italian restaurants, with pasta and pizza the order of the day!

Nice, France

Nice is known for its beautiful beaches and hobnobbing with celebrities. The city is home

Barcelona, Spain

to many famous landmarks such as the Promenade des Anglais, the Place Massena and the Musee d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain, all of which are perfect for exploring during the spring months.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik city is famous for its beautiful old town, and for being home to many famous landmarks such as the Dubrovnik City Walls, the Rector’s Palace and the Sponza Palace, all of which are perfect for exploring during the spring months.

Dubrovnik also offers a variety of delicious seafood restaurants.

In conclusion, you don’t have to venture far to find some amazing options for a spring getaway. From bustling cities to idyllic islands, there are plenty of destinations that tick a lot of boxes.

Whether you’re looking for a city break, a relaxing beach holiday or a more cultural experience, Europe has something for everyone

in springtime, so why not take advantage of the warm weather and explore some of these beautiful destinations before the summer crowds arrive.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

A NEW YEAR BRINGS A NEW REGULAR FEATURE FOR YOU

Readers recipes!

Send me all your favourite recipes, be it your Granny’s ‘secret’ recipe for clootie dumpling or your own easy, no bake cheesecake, that’s for me by the way lol

Are you an absolute whizz in the kitchen or do you just have one amazing go to dish that everyone raves about? Whatever that is, this is your opportunity to share your culinary delights with thousands of Lifestyle readers.

Each issue we will choose two recipes to publish and the winners will receive a nice bottle of wine from Lifestyle to enjoy with their next meal.

What are you waiting for start sending me those recipes….. rhona@lifestylemoray.scot

I will need full easy to understand instructions and a couple of photos too please.

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Caledonian Canal, Muirtown Point and River Ness Circuit

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)

This is a fantastic route that starts in the city and takes you along some of the beautiful waterways of Inverness. Along the way you will find some beautiful views and plenty of wildlife.

Start your walk at the bottom of Bridge Street carefully cross the road and turn left to follow along the river side. You will start to see the blue waymarker for the Great Glen Way. You will pass by several hotels and will soon come

Distance: 7.5 miles

Time: 3hrs

Level: Easy longer walk

Terrain: Pavements and walking paths

Access: City parking is available at Rose Street IV1 1NQ. There are regular stagecoach buses and trains into the city centre from several areas. If you would prefer to find free parking you can adjust the walk a little and start your walk after the Ness Islands as there is plenty of parking around the skate park area IV3 55P.

to the magnificent Faith, Hope and Charity statue that was originally on top of a building on the high street before being sold. It was returned to Inverness in 2011.

Carry along the river side path passing the footbridge and the war memorial. You will arrive at the Ness Islands. These are a collection of natural islands on the river that are accessed by bridges. Weave your way round the paths exploring the area before getting to the access suspension bridge at the end.

Take a left at the bridge and walk along the path till you come to the Whin Park gate. Turn right

here passing the edge of the rugby pitch. Keep going you will soon see the underpass where you can get across the road safely, once through take the next underpass to your right. You have arrived at the canal. Cross over the bridge and take the path that runs alongside the caravan park.

You will follow this path all the way to the Muirtown Basin. There is a small section that passes the back of the marina where you will need to be careful as there may be vehicles on the move. Once you pass the canal locks the path will turn to the left and keep going till you come to the gates at the train track. Carefully go through the gates.

Here you can walk right up to Clachnaharry sea lock where you will get a cracking view of the Beauly Firth and Ben Wyvis. This is where the canal ends. Cross over the lock walkway and turn right heading back down the canal, then cross back over the railway line. Shortly after you will take a turn to the left to head for the pier.

Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. There were plenty of wading birds when I passed and there are nice viewing areas if you want to hang around and observe them. Once you arrive at the car park and pier, turn right here and follow the road until you come to the gates of Carmarc Point. Head through the gates and up to the point, this is a great place to get some photos of the bridge. The Kessock bridge was opened in 1982 and is sometimes known as the gateway to the highlands. There is plenty of seating here, so a great area to stop for a snack before heading back into the city.

Come back out Carmarc point the way you came in and take a left, walking alongside the harbour you will come to a fork but keep left and you will pass under the railway line and then under the main road until you come to the suspension bridge.

Here you will get a great view of the city and of course Inverness castle. Head over the bridge and you will return to where you started.

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Thailand/Cambodia Trip: Part Two

Debi Weir, Manager of local Charities Moray School Bank and R-evolution for Good, depicts her amazing journey to Thailand and on to Cambodia to see the work of International Charity AKUN.

In part one in Dec/Jan issue of Lifestyle, Debi described how Julie, Past President of Speyside Rotary, and herself planned a trip to Cambodia to visit the AKUN charity that the Rotary previously sponsored. Debi and Julie travelled to Cambodia via Thailand where they had some amazing, never to be forgotten experiences, before then continuing the journey to Cambodia…………….

Arriving safely in Siem Reap we were cordially

welcomed by Mr Nueang who drives the tuk tuk for the hotel. He kindly agreed to spend the day with us the next day and take us around the temples of Angkor Wat. After a relaxing evening exploring and experiencing Halloween, Cambodian style we set off for a day of exploration. Angkor Wat was a spectacle that must be seen, the craftmanship, detail and storytelling in the soul of the buildings is phenomenal, as a self-professed non-sightseer, I really thought I would be bored as I don’t do looking at buildings! But I was just mesmerised by the beauty of the building and the work that went into the

creation. We were guided by a young man called Kim, who was a qualified teacher, but was working as a tour guide because it paid more. We were honoured to have met him and for him to share his story with us, as well as imparting his wealth of knowledge on Angkor Wat and Cambodian history. He came from the countryside, his family are not wealthy, and he has worked many jobs to get his education, he was a real inspiration. We continued our tour of the temples and the one that really sparked my attention was the temple of the tree, famously seen in many Hollywood blockbusters, but to see it with my own eyes was magical. The trees have grown on the temples and nature has made its mark on the man-made structures, it is just beautiful to see nature and spirituality blend together in harmony. It was an unforgettable experience –rounded nicely

by the hospitality of Mr Nueang who looked after us for the day, he was a lovely young man, working hard to give his family an education.

It was then time to take the journey to the capital Phnom Penh to begin our journey of learning the work of AKUN, a small charity set up to improve the lives of those worldwide in desperate situations and personal crisis by providing shelter, food, education and hope.

We met with Linda Franks and Shari Kruger, trustees of the charity to look at the program for the next few days, which was to begin with a visit to a local orphanage, ran by the catholic church. There were no photo’s allowed at the orphanage, to ensure the safety of the children.

The Cambodian government have removed the opportunity to adopt in the country as people were adopting children to traffic them, so the children have no way of finding a loving family, it was a very sad moment, playing ball with thirty one beautiful children under seven , laughing and giggling, and then leaving with the knowledge that they will stay within the system due to the corruption at large in Cambodia. AKUN visits the orphanage to hear from the Sister’s what is needed and will then go and buy the items they need, as they rely on providence and won’t accept financial donations. The work they do to support these children is resplendent beyond words.

The next day we bought items for the orphanage, and we also bought mats,

hammocks and mosquito nets to give to homeless people before getting ready to meet the students for dinner. AKUN meet their students annually to celebrate their achievements, so we had a wonderful dinner with the current and past students, including Set Raksa, the student we had sponsored to complete her Community Development degree. She is now working in Phnom Penh and is getting married in 2023. We also met with Vicheyka who is studying History, Julie and myself agreed to sponsor Vicheyka for the last two years of her course.. Noun Minea is studying Civil Engineering and is still looking for a family (or families) to sponsor him, as his course costs £820 per year.

We ended the evening on a really testing note, driving round the streets and giving out mats, hammocks, nets, clothes, toiletries etc to those living on the streets of the city. It was an experience that I found hard-hitting, as we met some truly lovely but vulnerable

people that we could only give a temporary moment of hope. We met mothers and babies which I found hard to comprehend, they don’t have a safe place to shelter, and live a life of vulnerability. It breaks my heart that I couldn’t do more than we did that evening.

The next day we went to Chum Kiri to see the fourteen years of support AKUN has given to this small remote rural community. From small beginnings it has grown to be a extremely large and supportive community. Firstly, we met with Father Giovanni and the ladies’ group, who meet to create crafts and school uniforms to sell and make money. AKUN has helped them by buying sewing machines to allow the ladies to create their small business. The ladies are a strong and supportive peer group, who gather together and support one another. Many of them have not left the area, so we agreed to fundraise to take them on a trip to Siem Reap to the temples. So far, we have raised £300 of our £800 target and we have brought home some Cambodian wares to sell and raise money. It was an amazing experience to see the work that the ladies do, and it was an privilege to meet them, they all made the effort to come and meet us, which was delightful.

Father Giovanni took us to visit the small schools in Trapeang Skun, Trapeang Reang and Kos La, which was enchanting, the young people who are teaching have come from Chum Kiri, through the work of AKUN

and are now spreading education further and further across the rural communities. Each school was led by someone who had been involved originally in Chum Kiri. In Trapeang Skun a young student, Visal, who has been involved in Chum Kiri since he was a little boy, is cycling 10 miles after school to deliver a daily homework club with primary aged children, but the amazing part of this is he is also teaching them English, which is giving them an opportunity to work, as English will open many doors for them. He is about to sit his exams to finish school and will hopefully be sponsored by AKUN to go to nursing college, he plans to be a nurse and come back to the area and look after the local people, he was such an inspiration, especially when the children in his homework class could sing ‘twinkle twinkle little star’ to us in English, he is going to change the world.

While visiting Kos La, we were taken on a stunning two hour walk by our two small tour guides, Vanat and his little brother. They took us on a breath-taking tour of the rice fields and the local countryside of Kos La, as well as introducing us to the local flora and fauna, they were one of my highlights of our trip, as they introduced us to their wonderful playground, and we communicated regardless

of the barrier of language, they made me smile from ear to ear.

One of the main programs of AKUN is the Sunday Feeding Program, where children from miles around come to take part in youth activities and they eat together, a local porridge type soup called ‘Bobo’. The children firstly participate, they get to become youth leaders, then Scouts and they then can move on to be sponsored through education. Many of the AKUN students have gone through the program, attending on Sunday’s since they were small.

This program has now grown and is delivered in three separate communities rurally around the Chum Kiri area, growing the number of children taking part and accessing education. It was an honour to participate and to serve the children their ‘Bobo’.

It was a whirlwind trip, where we took part in so many different programs, meeting many inspirational people. I am very grateful to AKUN for their work in supporting these communities, it was a pleasure to meet each and every person. If you are interested in learning more about the work of this amazing small international charity, go to www.supportakun.org

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Make Time for Me in 2023!

Abright shiny new year and rebooting our lives can be exciting. We make promises to give up things we love, start to do things we hate, and generally turn one of the bleakest periods of the year into absolute hell in a futile quest for perfection!

Somehow, the enthusiasm behind those pledges shrinks faster than your waistline. Little wonder that it’s not long before we are consumed by the guilt of failure.

This year, why not lose this quest for selfloathing, and replace it with self-care? We CAN do things we love and look and feel better as a result! Let’s make wellness our New Year’s resolution this time around. It’s a great habit, you’ll never want to give up and better still, you won’t need to!

Remember, you should never feel guilty for taking time out for you. It’s all about giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you when you’ve done everything else for everyone else.

So put yourself at the top of your to-do list and do what’s best for you!

But what exactly is Self-Care?

Well, it’s very simple. It’s taking time out of the day, even 30 minutes, to spend on you. It can be as simple as taking a bath, reading a book or listening to music, but it MUST be at the exclusion of everything else. So, it’s not ok to listen to music if at the same time you’re making dinner or ironing. It’s not ok to take a bath whilst chatting on the phone.

Why not book a Spa Treatment. Taking a 45-minute back neck and shoulder massage, a luxurious facial, or just a hair wash and blow dry. That little break from the on-going activity of

every day, will do you the power of good.

From a health angle, it’s clear that most of us operate in a permanent low-level state of stress. The combination of busy working lives, children, running a home, managing finances etc already add up to a ‘bucket’ filled to capacity. Any additional pressures cause it to spill over. Our bodies react to stress by producing hormones which stimulate the body to store more sugars ready to use as energy. As a result, we feel tired, we may gain weight, and our skin, hair, nails and eyes will lose condition and strength. So, we’re giving life our all, but it’s doing us more harm than good.

Taking some time for self-care is how we take our power back! Even 30 minutes away from life’s treadmill will halt those stress hormones, promote production of the pleasure hormones, and allow our bodies to re-set.

An hour spent having a facial will not just benefit the skin on your face, but also your mind, your muscles, and you’ll get a bit of your glow back!

So go on. You’re rare and precious. Take your power back and make time for you!

Speyside Spa is a brand-new addition to Aberlour, offering a wide range of treatments, therapies and beauty enhancements, for men and women, as well as haircuts for children too.

Come and see what we have to offer! Pop in to 93/95 High Street Aberlour, visit our website www.speysidespa.com, or call us on 01340 220048.

We look forward to offering you a very warm welcome soon.

5 Things First Time Parents Wish They’d Known Sooner

By Sophia Hanson

“I can’t believe they’re actually going to let us walk out of here with this baby” – this is a feeling many first-time parents experience when they’re told ‘you can take the baby home now’. It’s often met with a flurry of panic, not least over how to install the car seat!

There are so many things that first time parents wish they had been told, so here I am, sharing five of them to help you sleep better at night, and know that you’re in good company.

Number four is a firm favourite for almost every new mum I’ve supported over the past five years.

1) You will feel self-conscious on the first few outings.

It takes time to get used to baby slings, car seats or prams etc, expect it all to feel a bit clunky and give yourself a break knowing that you’ll get used to these over time. You might also feel like people are staring at you; chances are they’re thinking ‘look at that cute baby’.

2) You will likely apologise when your baby cries or you feel you’re taking up space.

I’ve never been annoyed to step onto the road to make way for a pushchair, you probably haven’t either. Be sweet to yourself. Take up the space. If your baby cries, tend to your baby and

block out the outside world.

3) You might feel like you ‘disappeared’ or became ‘invisible’ for the first few months.

Perhaps you’ve become ‘the parent of baby name’, instead of who you’ve been all your life. You’ll be referred to as mum or dad, and far less frequently by your own name. Take a good look in the mirror and remind yourself that you do exist.

4) You’ll grieve the life you used to have –and instantly feel guilty.

Even if you were desperate to have a baby

it’s natural to feel shocked at how your life has changed overnight. It might take a while to adjust to your role as a parent; enjoy all the moments you can and ask for help whenever you need it.

5) Everybody becomes an expert on what you ‘should do’ when it comes your baby’s feeding or sleep regime.

Learn to trust yourself when it comes to what your baby needs. Social media is swimming in so called expert opinions, but none of that is a substitute for your intuition as a parent. If you’re concerned, seek medical or genuine expert support, otherwise, find what works for your baby.

What else would you add to this list? Drop me a message and let me know.

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ROSIE BARRON IS THE TIDY COO

Rosie Barron is The Tidy Coo, a Professional Organiser. A Master KonMari Consultant and member of APDO (the Association of Professional 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.

Tidying with children

Children learn by watching what we do ourselves.

I have any number of adults who come to me telling me that their children need help with decluttering and organising when the adults themselves are not yet tidy and organised! You must do your own journey first before expecting your children to do theirs.

The first thing to remember when working with children is that they often have very different priorities to us. When we may want a beautiful space full of delightful wooden toys, they are more focused on having time to play with the bit of plastic that arrived on the front of a magazine. Hold at the front of your mind, that you are trying to raise children who grow into adults who know what they want from this life. A child’s room, particularly as they get older, is their sanctuary, so try to give them as much autonomy over their space and the process as possible.

Obviously we need to set some boundaries, for example, I need my home to be clean enough that we don’t have vermin and that healthy conditions are maintained, and I don’t wish to have my nose assailed by teenage whiff whenever I go past their room, or whenever they go past me! To that end, the rules of the household are that food and plates much not be left in rooms, that dirty laundry should be placed in the wash (and that children should regularly place themselves in the shower), that rubbish should be placed in bins and bins emptied weekly, and that the rooms are tidy enough once a week for them to hoover and dust. Beyond that, I simply close the door on the situation…

However, my own children’s rooms are already decluttered and organised and relatively easy to return to a position where they can be easily tidied, so let’s talk about getting to that point.

As always, declutter first before trying to organise their rooms with them, or it will rapidly begin to descend back into chaos. If your child is above the age of about three, involve them as much as possible. My children are often pretty motivated by the thought of letting things go to

Images: Laura Walter Photography

people who need them, or by the prospect of selling some of their items. PreChristmas and prebirthdays are good times to do a declutter.

Declutter by category, help them to choose positively what to keep and thank the things as you let them go. If things are held communally, get one child to check them and then the other and stress that they are picking for themselves and that the others will get an equal chance. A really excellent tactic is, if possible, to remove everything from their room and get them to choose what they are going to put back into it.

If they choose to let go of something that you would rather keep, respect their decision and take the item into your own space instead. Recently I was a bit sad that my son wanted to get rid of a mug that he has had for years so it is currently living in my room whilst I pick up the courage to let it go.

Once you have decluttered, use labels to make it clear where things should live and use drawers as far as possible over boxes with lids (which will just end up with things balanced on top of them). Do not overcomplicate systems but keep categories broad to make things easy to put away.

Try to ensure that they have their own space to keep tidy. For example, my youngest child has excellent built-in wardrobes in her room and, having no loft, I need to use some of them for storage of suitcases and Christmas. However, I keep my things in one part and she has the other.

Whilst we may need to include the children in the process of deciding which of their items they are letting go of, I need to remind you that it is

up to YOU what comes into your home. Remember that the fewer things you have, the easier it is to keep them tidy, and not just that, but the fewer toys children have, the easier it is for them to go into a state of play where they concentrate deeper and for longer. If you have generous relatives who want to give to your children, discuss giving things such as trips, or a contribution to a larger gift. For example, my mother recently gave my middle daughter tickets to see The Mouse Trap. Most people are pretty willing once you discuss the reasons behind it.

Finally, even once you have decluttered and organised the room with them, it may still become untidy. In my home, we have these six steps to follow when things get out of hand, and my children need differing amounts of help to get them done:

1. Make the bed

2. Pick up any dirty laundry and put it in the wash

3. Pick up any cups and dishes and take them to the kitchen

4. Put any rubbish in the bin

5. Fold clean laundry and put it away

6. Bring everything else to the centre of the room, sort it into categories and put it away.

(A much more in-depth guide to tidying with children can be found on my website.)

Twin Towns

(part two)

In the previous issue of Lifestyle Moray, we delved into the wonderful twindom of some of our finest home towns and their exotic continental siblings situated all over the globe. In this issue, we explore another handful of the beautiful bonds between other sets of siblings, this time taking in our Scottish neighbours in the surrounding regions. Are you seeing double? Well perhaps so after trying to keep track of the familial bonds we share.

By Mica Bale

scenery, as inspiring as Scotland’s landscapes. Visitors are often eager to see the Rosenberg Fortress which is widely considered among the best preserved structures of its kind in Bavaria.

Banffshire - With the entire historic county being twinned with Kronach for nearly fifty years, the links between Banffshire and its German twin are very strong. In recent years exchanges have occurred between schoolchildren from each of the two communities. With special trips to Loch Ness and other local landmarks, there are special efforts to organise another twinning exchange in 2024, which will mark the incredible 50-year anniversary of the joining of the two areas, with plenty of opportunities for members of each region to enjoy an interchange. Located on the edge of the Franconian Forest complete with its mountains, Kronach boasts a rich

Inverness -

As another quadruplet, Inverness shares a familial bond with three other areas in Europe, one in Germany and two in France. Originally twinned in 1956, Augsburg is the third largest city in Bavaria and boasts a rich cultural heritage that dates back for millennia and is known for its connection to the wealthy and influential Fuggers family who established the world’s oldest social housing complex.

The city of Augsburg also boasts a rather fabulous connection to a commodity that sees daily usage the world over - diesel. Yes, Rudolph Diesel’s family originally hailed from this Bavarian settlement. The son of immigrants, Diesel went on to create the diesel engine which uses, of course, the fuel of the same name. Reportedly the patent for his invention was first given to a local factory in Augsburg to develop the prototype. Frequent visits have been arranged over the decades including a showcase of Highland games. A visit to Augsburg is a

Ausburg

Rosenburg

sausage lover’s delight - with several delicious varieties to try.

The Twinning of Inverness and French towns La Baule and St. Valery-en-Caux were formulated in 1981 and 1987 respectively. Although twinning with St. Valery was not officially established until the 1980s, the friendship began in the Second World War years when the 51st Highland regiment were caught in the Normandy territory. Reportedly the local people were hospitable to the captured soldiers and saw in them a kindred spirit - a group of individuals placed in a situation none of them had wished for. The congeniality continued down through the generations so much so that after St. Valery was all but destroyed, relief aid was given from Inverness. Visits rooted in these shared wartime experiences continued until an official twinning took place in the 1980s.

Banff and…Banff - Yes, it may be a less official link that joins our Banff with Canada’s Banff situated in Alberta but with gorgeous landscapes and stunning mountain scenery, it appears that

the two Banffs hold more than just a name in common. Interestingly Canada’s Banff can credit its early origins with Scotland’s Banff after a certain chap by the name of George Stephen, later the first Baron Mount Stephen migrated to Canada and became the President of the hailed Canadian Pacific Railway which created rail lines through the land and developed luxurious hotels along the way. He so called this slice of the landscape Banff, in remembrance of his birthplace in Scotland. Although there is still yet to be an official agreement between the two Banffs, it is expected that this shared heritage will indeed soon be cemented.

As with all connections between family and friends, twin towns thrive where there is frequent and rewarding interaction so why not see what activities, trips and general communication is happening in your local area? Who knows, perhaps in a few months time you could be meeting and calling people you never knew existed and planning a very exciting next few years - all thanks to the wonderful connection between twins.

Canada - Banff

The Conversation: I am me - Moray Musicians Promote Men’s Mental Health

Mental health is a topic that has been much discussed of late, particularly in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic when everyone’s way of life was turned upside down. It is now universally agreed that we need to bring the topic of mental health right out into the open and to engage everyone – particularly men - in discussions. Men, historically, have been more than reticent to discuss matters that are troubling them, preferring instead to adopt the stiff upper lip approach – and this approach can lead to introspection, thus adding more complications.

To highlight men’s mental health issues, Moray businessman and musician Alan Jamieson, known by everyone as AJ, has brought together local musician friends to record a song called “The Conversation: I Am Me”, which was released on Friday 9th December on all digital

platforms including iTunes, Spotify and video on YouTube. The song features solo artists and members of local bands The Fragz, Into The Pines, Danny Mortimer and MacTa. Collectively they are : AJ (bass, ukulele and lead vocals), Ali Robertson (lead vocals), Blaire McKenzie (drums), Danny Mortimer (lead vocals, guitar), Gary Moyes (lead vocals), Angus Lawson (keyboards), Mark Aldridge (backing vocals) and Tom Morris (guitar). Mention must also be made of the valuable contribution of Phil Wiles (mixing engineer) and Blaire McKenzie (recording engineer).

Alan admits that mental health issues played a large part in his life, from his teens onwards, and

The Fragz

The Coversation - I Am Me

along with friends and colleagues started The Conversation in the hope that it will encourage others to do just that - talk. The object is to normalise the fact that men can be upset without being seen as soft, struggle without being weak and that they need to talk before it’s too late. A hard conversation is far easier than a funeral.

In addition to the song’s release they planned a multi band gig at Elgin Town Hall on January 21st, featuring all the musicians, with all proceeds from the song and gig being given to a chosen mental health charity. They decided that all proceeds would be donated to Mikeysline. For those who are unfamiliar with Mikeysline, it was founded in late 2015 after a tragic number of suicides in the Highland area. Its objective is to offer support 365 evenings a year for anyone, irrespective of their personal need or of the level of that need, with their text-based support, which is available on 07786 207755 on text, WhatsApp, WebChat, Twitter, and Facebook Messenger."

Danny Mortime

And now to the concert! Anyone who attended the Elgin Town Hall on Saturday 21st January and heard the first live performance of The Conversation: ‘I am me’ were very privileged indeed. It was an outstanding performance, delivered by talented and enthusiastic musicians who were thoroughly enjoying themselves whilst delivering a very powerful message that “it is okay not to be okay” and you need to speak up without fear of being criticised for doing so.

It was a brilliant night of musical entertainment pulled together by AJ and his pals with the performance of ‘I am me’ definitely being the highlight of the night.

The evening kicked off with Gary ‘Moyzie’ Moyes giving his first solo performance for a few years. He needn’t have worried as he smashed it - he’s a natural. Moyzie was followed by Danny Mortimer and his band, who never fail to

(Moyzie joined Danny Mortimer Band)

entertain. It is difficult to choose a favourite and no doubt everyone has their own, but “Pretend” has to be up there. Moyzie joined Danny for their last song “Rocking in the Free World”. It was then the turn of the special guests, young Elgin band The Zebecks, who treated the home crowd to a number of their own songs. Singer Dan even joined the delighted Elgin crowd on the floor during his set.

Following The Zebecks, AJ took to the stage to thank everyone for coming. He said how many times he had said these words “I wrote a song”. He spoke from the heart about how life is hard, but the important message is not to be afraid to “SPEAK UP!!” He thanked the guys for putting their heart and soul into a project that he initially thought would be a good laugh. They went on to perform “I am me” which absolutely blew the audience away. It’s not only a great sounding

MacTa

The Zebecks

song but it obviously delivers a very important message.

The last set of the evening was performed by the fabulous MacTa who had everyone up on the floor dancing to a range of covers. They ended the show with 500 miles and everyone went home having had over four hours of extremely good musical entertainment. It was obvious that the musicians enjoyed performing every bit as much as the audience enjoyed listening.

BOOK NOW FOR THE FOLLOWING UPCOMING EVENTS

18TH FEBRUARY Sold on Soul

21ST FEBRUARY Circus of Horrors: Haunted Fairground

24TH FEBRUARY Ready Steady 60’s Show

1ST MARCH

Elgin Musical Theatre - Sunshine on Leith

11TH MARCH The McDougall’s and the Magic Castle

17TH MARCH Skerryvore

25TH MARCH Manran CHECK

Creative planning for wellbeing in 2023

Feeling better is often the top of our new year resolutions, especially as the winter blues continue. To help bring hope and peer-support in these gloomy times Moray Wellbeing Hub Champions, people who have lived experience of life challenges and use these to create change, met in December to try out a new approach to wellness planning.

CHIME for Wellbeing is a creative workshop experience led by those who use the approaches in their own lives. In the session the facilitators and participants explore wellness planning tools, share ideas and support, explore self-management and create a plan for crisis. It sounds very serious but there was so much laughter and joy, especially in using some of the creative methods!

“Really loved the playfulness and time for creative expression.”

“A lovely supportive space –Nice to hear ideas from others and a few lightbulb moments.” Feedback from session.

Recognising that people are experts on themselves, participants learn about mental health recovery in a creative, relaxed atmosphere. The approach can work with all ages; however, the December workshop was an adult learning space, especially as it was a trial.

The course introduced SWAP the Staying Well Action Plan that helps you to take more control of your life and wellbeing. It helps you to learn more about yourself, which can then help you

make plans to cope with difficult situations and regain, and maintain, your connection, hope, identity, meaning and empowerment (CHIME). All key in having wellbeing.

SWAP is a new approach developed by people in the Scottish Borders, both those in NHS Borders and who used this to help manage their health. The Staying Well Action Plan is proving an effective tool to help individuals to take control of their self-care and wellbeing and will support to live the life they want to lead. It is hoped that people from Moray who want to improve their mental health and manage any long-term condition, life challenge as well as people who offer support like carers or parents, will benefit from attending.

“We used to run a course called WRAP which was really popular in Moray, and SWAP is like the improved version.” Explains facilitator Heidi Tweedie, “getting the chance to try this new approach with Champions was a great first step. We can’t wait to get more Moray folk involved in coming to new courses!”

CHIME for Wellbeing will be delivered as part of the Moray Wellness College early in 2023 and spaces will be fully funded. To note your interest in the course or when booking opens, visit www.moraywellbeinghub. org.uk/wellness-college or contact the friendly MWH admin team for support to book by email (hello@moraywellbeinghub.org.uk), Facebook, or telephone (Answer Phone: 01343 576219).

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands

Brexit's blight on Scottish food and drink industry is making the cost of living crisis worse

Arecent study, by Centre for Economic Performance at the London School of Economics, suggests that household food bills have gone up by £210 primarily driven by extra checks and requirements on goods due to Brexit, with much of the cost passed onto consumers.

That’s a cost Scotland should not have to bear, not least because this hard Brexit was imposed on us against our democratic will.

It’s not just individual households, Brexit continues to pose huge challenges to Scotland’s food-and-drink industry with the loss of free trade and new obstacles to the movement of goods.

This sector is one of the key drivers of the economy with an annual turnover worth £15 billion and overseas export sales of more than £6 billion, representing nearly a third of all UK food exports.

We are fortunate to have some of the most amazing and delicious products and pure natural resources of anywhere in the world and these world-class products are in demand across the globe.

We are already doing all we can within our resources and powers to help the sector.

We will continue to support the Scotland Food & Drink Recovery Plan with £15 million of Scottish Government funding over 2020-2023.

Something we can all do to help our food and drink sector, and the jobs and businesses it supports, by buying local and Scottish whenever we can.

Brexit also hampers domestic production, with labour shortages caused by the loss of freedom of movement. These affect cafes, restaurants and hotels too where so many great Scottish products are turned into excellent meals.

There are many factors influencing food inflation, but other countries and citizens don’t have to contend with Brexit. It is only with independence and a return to the EU that these key barriers –to trade and to labour – will be reversed.

Behind every business is a passionate founder. Tesco began when Jack Cohen sold tea on a market stall in London in 1919. Pop up businesses which test the water, just like Mr Cohen did, will more likely be successful.

I was visiting a shop owner who sells a bit of everything, I asked “who is your ideal customer”, they said “everyone”. Whoops, there’s the first mistake. You might be too cheap, too expensive, not stock what they want or you could be in the wrong location. So you can’t serve everyone!

Be specific about “who” you’re serving. If you’re trying to target everyone no one will hear your message. Back in the early 1920’s Mr Cohen focused on own label Tea, he sold other dry goods too but he was known for his tea, that’s how he grew his business.

Business Start Up Top Tips

Firstly, you need to know exactly who you’re serving and what their needs are, it can be difficult to target your marketing message to the right audience if you’re telling them the wrong message. I see this mistake over and over by business owners, you’re trying to say too much so the message gets lost. Just like selling Tea, focus on the tea, you might sell coffee too but they’re a different audience, spend some time and think about the following tips.

#1: Who is your perfect customer?

#2: Do you have multiple customers? Draw a picture of them, what are their interests?

#3: For each customer type write down their pains?

#4: What services/products do you deliver that solves each customer pain.

#5: Put your theory to the test, research the market, measure, evaluate and re-package if need be.

Running a business can be exciting but it can be really hard work too, you have to put the effort in if you want to get results.

Fail to plan and you’re planning to fail and most importantly know your customers expectations inside out and deliver exceptional customer service every time, no excuses.

M: 07764 192503 E: emma@erisbusiness.co.uk

Visit www.erisbusiness.co.uk

Eris supports businesses, pre-trading, those who recently started up, self employed, solopreneurs, established businesses and business leaders to “make the most of your business opportunity’s to achieve sustainable growth.”

The strategic brain of a marketing manager, the flair of a graphic designer, the technical know-how of a digital guru, the wordsmithery of a top flight copywriter – all under one roof!

We support incredible businesses across Scotland, the UK and Europe – contact us to find out how we can help spread the word about yours!

• Marketing Review & Strategy

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“We’ve been working with Planit Scotland for over a year and during that time, they have developed and maintained a digital strategy for us to enhance our online presence. In addition, Planit Scotland offers us day-to-day support with copywriting, design work for printed and online media, and ad-hoc work such as awards entries. We’re delighted to be able to utilise the expertise of Team Planit and see them as an extension of our own team.”

– Imogen Willoughby, Marketing Manager, InstaVolt – The UK’s #1 EV Charging Network

Exciting times for UHI Moray

At UHI Moray we know how to kick the year off with a bang.

The year has only just started, and we have launched two exciting new courses. Our Serial Killers: Inside the Criminal Mind course, which was designed and created due to the true crime craze, is centred around serial killer profiling, and gives students a gateway into the criminology field. While our Sports and Fitness: Preparing for the Uniformed and Emergency Services course focuses on employer engagement to prepare students for a career in the uniformed and emergency services.

The Moray Game Jam is returning after a 3-year hiatus bringing together gaming enthusiasts, industry leaders and educators for 48-hours of creativity, collaboration, and fun. This event which started in 2014 attracts teams from across Scotland who compete to create a video or board game based on a specific, yet to be announced, theme. This years’ event launches Friday 10th March at 12pm.

Our Hospitality and Tourism Academy (HATA) which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year is hosting its 2nd Hospitality Festival from Monday 27th to Friday 31st March. The festival, that started last year, aims to promote the Hospitality and Tourism industry through interactive sessions aimed at students, those in the industry and the public.

We are also running our Open Days on Tuesday 29th March and Tuesday 13th June to give prospective students the chance to tour our Moray Street campus and find out about our range of full-time, part-time, and short courses from the experts – our lecturers and student support teams.

Whether you are a school leaver, returning to education or looking to develop your career, or simply learn for fun, UHI Moray our unique and personal learning experience will ensure you have the skills, qualifications and confidence needed to thrive in the 21st century workplace.

Ratty

The October/November Pawbags prize of the advent calendar was won by Ratty’s owner Marcia Virdi. When I called Marcia to give her the news, I found out a bit about Ratty.

I love chatting to you, my readers, when I call with the wonderful news that you have won one of the fabulous Lifestyle competition prizes.

I am sure you will agree that this was one story definitely worth sharing with you all…………

The Virdi family were living in the Yucatan and very early one morning on a single-track road in the bush, they came across this little abandoned pup sitting in the middle of the road. There were no other pups or any sign of the mother anywhere around and they decided they had to rescue

her before she was eaten by a jaguar or large snake.

Marcia’s daughter, Jette scooped her up, wrapped her in her hoodie, as she was covered in fleas etc and took her to the Hacienda. There she was dunked in water and rubbed dry, gradually she found her feet as she was being sniffed by Mambo, the Dalmatian that Jette had rescued a couple of years earlier. It was decided at that time to call her Quine.

Marcia went on to say “That night we took the dogs to the vet as we were away for the weekend and Quine definitely needed some medical care. She was tiny and her stomach was as wide as her length, she

Jette above with Mambo

had ‘Yoda’ ears and a curly pig’s tail. The vet said he had never seen such a sick dog, and to be warned.

“But Quine thrived, living in a bird cage at night for the first month while she got used to life in her new home in order that we didn’t tread on her if we got up at night. She really found her feet going to the Hacienda each day but the Mayans working there couldn’t get their tongues around Quine so that is why we renamed her Ratty.

“She and Mambo chased each other around the property, they barked at every four-legged animal that appeared from the bush and at any strangers that arrived. Each day Ratty and Mambo were let out of the car to run down the driveway to the Hacienda, a good 4 km track, sniffing the exciting smells that had passed in the night. Ratty managed to keep up with her long-legged friend and they both normally collapsed in the shade on arrival.

“Once she was stung by a scorpion which wiped her out for several hours. Jette had been stung by one earlier in the month so knew exactly what it felt like. Ratty always insists on playing with anything that came into the Hacienda, thus the scorpion sting! She never failed to be puzzled by the tarantulas that jumped out of her way just as she thought she had caught them. The jumping always surprised her, and it made her jump.

“Jette continued to rescue animals, Monkey (an Airedale) and a few weeks later, KitKat a kitten who was being stoned by some boys as she was passing. At that point I put my foot down not to rescue animals that put her in the way of danger.

“They all slept together in a jumble and often attempted to do so on Jette’s bed when there were the big thunder storms as often happened in the Yucatan. KitKat adopted the dogs and would lick their ears for them.

“When Jette left Mexico she relocated Mambo, Monkey and KitKat but insisted on Ratty coming home to Scotland. The first dog we rescued was Crack (a Shepherd cross) from Gabon but she had passed away at 13 a year earlier. Ratty arrived in Edinburgh on a day that was very snowy. It never seemed to bother her, immediately running her nose through the snow as she ran in woods out the back of our house.

“Her fur grew much longer, and she adapted to life in Scotland, her appetite never diminished and her habit of taking food from the bowl, moving away to put the mouthful on the floor to eat in peace and quiet away from the other dogs, then taking another mouthful and doing the same thing.

“Ratty has won her first prize - an advent calendar from PawBags of Lossie and loved what was inside. She devoured the treats as if she’s never tasted anything so good. She couldn’t wait for more!

“Jette has since then, rescued Wila (an Australian Heeler) from the pound and more recently fostering Ricky (a long haired Saluki Greyhound mix) in Ireland.

All are beautiful dogs who have been very gentle with children and extremely loyal.

Closing dates:

A new year and another opportunity to win some fabulous prizes from Lifestyle’s generous clients.

I hope you enjoyed reading about Ratty who won the advent calendar. Who knows you could be in a future feature if you have a story to tell about your prize.

This issue, as always, we have some amazing prizes, starting with your own Bespoke Memory Bear lovingly made by Shona. Visit the MillHouse hotel with a companion of your choice for a delicious afternoon tea for two. If you are looking for a gift for someone, what better than

COMPETITION CODES

MEMBEAR

Bespoke Memory Bear

MILLTEA

Afternoon Tea for two at Mill House Hotel

MORAYGIFT

Moray gift Card valued £50

BEOURBRIDE

£100 gift voucher

LARDERPIES

The

a Moray Gift Card that can be spent across Moray, a £50 card is this generous prize. Laura at the Larder Huntly has kindly offered a fifteen pound voucher for you to indulge in some of her delicious pies or amazing cheesecakes. Last but by no means least if wedding bells are in the air, well it is nearly Valentine’s Day. An incredible £100 voucher has been offered by Pauline at Be Our Bride Cullen to put towards the gown for your perfect day.

Can I please ask everyone to REMEMBER to include ALL the details in your entries. Name, address, contact tel number AND THE CODES of the prizes you want to win.

Thank you and good luck !!

Fifteen Pound Voucher to spend at The Larder Huntly

Email competitions@lifestylemoray.scot with your name, address and contact number or send a postcard to: Lifestyle Magazine, 5 Green Lane, Newmill, Keith AB55 6NX

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

alternative

Congratulations to our Dec/Jan winners.

We receive hundreds of responses and love your letters and emails... Keep ‘em coming. Who knows... It could be you next time.

in the following issue.

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

available. Names of winners will