Turriff Mar 19

THE NORTH’S FAVOURITE FREE WEE MAG

MARCH 2019

SpotLIGHT TURRIFF, HUNTLY & DISTRICT

*SEE ADVERT INSIDE

Double Mattress from £99 Double bed frame from £99

45-49 West Church Street, Buckie, AB56 1BP Telephone

Fife Arms May 18.pdf

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05/04/2018

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(01542) 832653 www.buckiefurniture.co.uk

Fife e Arms Ar ms Hotel, The Square, Square, Turriff, Tur iff, Aberdeenshire AB53 4AE

T: 01888 563124 T F: 01888 563468 E: stay@fifearms.com y@fif ifearms earms.com W: www.fifearms.com www .com

Visit isit Website Website for Opening T Times imes

STEP INTO SPRING AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO WARMER WEATHER IT IS THE TIME OF YEAR TO BE THINKING ABOUT GARDEN MACHINERY. Range of products suitable for gardens of any shape or size including: 3HWURO /DZQPRZHUV 5LGH RQ /DZQPRZHUV 6WULPPHUV 6FDULÀHUV

DON’T FORGET...

We can also service and repair any make or model of lawn mower.

PLUS we offer blade sharpening and cylinder grinding services.

Shop local and visit us at: ABERDEEN 01224 772577

DINGWALL 01349 863555

ELGIN 01343 541121

MAUD 01771 613246

TURRIFF 01888 563561

www.ravenhill.co.uk

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What’s on, Clubs, Eating out, Trades Listings and much more...

Clubs and Societies ABERCHIRDER BROWNIES Wed, 5.45pm - 7.15pm. Girls age 7 - 10yrs welcome. Call Gayle Beaton on 01466 780434 ACTIVE BOXING Fri, 6.15pm - 7pm, Turriff Sports Centre. Call 01888 563800 or email at turriff.sports@ aberdeenshire.gov.uk ADVOCACY NORTH EAST Independent advocacy throughout Aberdeenshire to adult users of health & social care services with a Learning Disability, Mental Illness/Disorder & Unpaid Carers. Call 01467 651604 or email at advocacyne@btconnect.com ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, HUNTLY 7.30pm, Linden Community Centre, Castle Park Road, Huntly www.alcoholicsanonymous.org.uk

WATT SCHOOL OF Ad AUDREY rates - Turriff & Huntly.qxp DANCE Lemonbank Place, Macduff Call 01261 833194 or email at audidancer22@gmail.com

Sample one-off advertising rates (colour advert)

Box Big box ¼ page ½ page Full page

£46 £74 £120 £209 £399

Discounts available for series bookings and for black and white

Publisher:

Winterburn Media Ltd Unit 15, Horizon Scotland, Enterprise Park, Forres, Moray, IV36 2AB (01309) 690063

All material within the SpotLight magazines is subject to formal copyright restrictions and therefore the reproduction of any listings, editorial, advertiser artwork or any other content, without the publisherʼs prior consent, will be considered a breach of copyright.

page 4 - March 2019

BADMINTON Tues, 7.30pm - 9.30pm, Stewarts Hall, Huntly. All adults welcome.

Call Allan Mirtchell on 01466 793225

meeting free, thereafter £2, membership £10 pa. Call 01466 793765 (Orbs Bookshop) or email info@huntly-writers.co.uk. www.huntly-writers.co.uk

BOBBIN LACEMAKERS Mon, 2pm - 4pm, the Linden Centre, Huntly. Call Joanne on 07778 272056

JOG SCOTLAND INTERMEDIATE LEVEL Wed, 6.15pm - 7.15pm, Turriff Library

COMMON THREADS 2nd Tues of month, Glen Forglen Hall. Group of like minded crafters share info & skills. Every skill level welcome.. For more information look us up on www.facebook.com/commonthreadsforglen

LUMSDEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION All welcome. Email Julie MacGregor at lumsdenevents@gmail.com

DEVERON, BOGIE & ISLA RIVERS CHARITABLE TRUST The Trust's objectives are to conserve, protect & rehabilitate salmon, sea-trout, trout & other indigenous wildlife. Call 01466 711388 or email at office@deveron.org 03/12/2018 12:00 Page

THE DORIC NEUK Wed - Sat (Summer), 11am 3pm, High Street, Turriff. Keeping Doric alive for future generations: We have a Doric book collection (started) & run Doric events.

THE HUNTLY FOLK CLUB 3rd Wed of month, 8pm, the Crown Lounge Bar (Harry's Bar) Huntly. Performances of the acoustic nature, singers, poets, story tellers, fiddlers, pipers, instrumentalists, are all welcome as are any who want to listen.

Call John McPherson on 01466 792279

MONQUHITTER PARENT & TODDLER GROUP Wed, 9.30am - 11.30am, Monquhitter School. All welcome, £1 each, U1s go free.

Call Amy Harrison on 01888 544033 or email at monquhittertoddlers@hotmail.co.uk

1

HUNTLY AMATEUR SWIMMING CLUB Huntly Swimming Pool. Email Mrs Linda Edwards at huntlyasc@googlemail.com HUNTLY COMMUNITY CYCLING A group of individuals promoting cycling for everybody in & around the Huntly area. Email at huntlycycling@hotmail.co.uk HUNTLY CRICKET CLUB Summer Weekends at Castle Park. Call Patrick Scott on 01466 792647 HUNTLY PLANT DRAWING CLASSES 1st Sat of month, 10am 11.30am. Artist in residence, Rachel Ashton will run the classes & will be sharing her skills in drawing & recording plant species. Booking is essential. Email at info@deveron-projects.com HUNTLY WRITERS Fortnightly, upstairs at the ExServicemen's Club, 5a Gordon St, Huntly AB54 8A. Informal friendly writers' group. New members over 18 welcome. 1st

tel: 01309 690063

TURRIFF & DISTRICT HERITAGE SOCIETY Running for nearly 40 years & staffed entirely by volunteers.

Call into the Municipal Buildings or email info@turriffheritage.org

POUND FIT Tues, 6pm - 7pm, the Royal Oak, Turriff. A drumming inspired workshop. Yoga mat required.

TURRIFF BOOK LOVERS’ READING CLUB 1st Mon of month. For further information call 01888 562539

RHYNIE WRI 2nd Thurs of month, 7.30pm 10pm, "Fourteen," The Square, Rhynie.

TURRIFF BRIDGE CLUB Thurs, 7pm, Turriff Bowling Club.

New members welcome! Call Gordon Hay on 01888 562763

ROTHIEMAY & DISTRICT PARENTS; SOCIAL GROUP Mon & Thurs, 9am - 11am, Adele House, Rothiemay. £2 per adult.

Call 01466 793732

TURRIFF DISTRICT AMATEUR SWIMMING CLUB Turriff Swimming Pool. Call 01888 562528

ST NINIAN’S & FORGLEN MEN’S DISCUSSION GROUP 2nd Thurs of month, 7.30pm 9pm. A forum for men to meet for informal discussion, from a Christian perspective, about current affairs, moral issues, Biblical texts, or anything else of interest.

ST NINIAN’S BADMINTON CLUB Turriff. Call 01888 563800 or 07791 630267 TAP O' NOTH WRI 1st Thurs of month (excl Jul & Aug), 7.30pm, OAP Hall, Church Street, Huntly. Demonstrations & speakers.

TURRIFF GOLF CLUB Rosehall, Turriff. Call 01888 562982 or email at secretary@turriffgolf.sol.co.uk TURRIFF JUDO CLUB Turriff Sports Centre. Call Katrina Mcallister on 01888 561460 TURRIFF KAYAK CLUB Fri, Juniors 7pm & Adults 8pm , Turriff Swimming Pool.

TURRIFF ROTARY CLUB Tues, 6pm for 6.30pm, The Kastille, 10 Castle Street. Call 01888 563838 PLEASE NOTE: Details of Clubs & Societies are published on a rotational basis.

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

We’re really enjoying having more editorial pages lately - we hope you are too!

We are always looking for good editorial subjects so if you think you have something that would be of interest to the general public (nothing too contentious please!) then please email us on flo@winterburnmedia.co.uk and we will contact you back as soon as possible.

If your edition of SpotLight has cleaning tips in it please do not take offence - we are not saying your house is dirty - just suggesting things for your ‘Spring Clean’.

Next month - how to dry your house after April showers!

PUBLISHER ..............David Nelmes ADVERTISING ..............Susan Innes PRODUCTION .........Linda J Donald ART & DESIGN ..............Flo Skinner ACCOUNTS ..................Alan Radley

April Issue Deadlines

Editorial - Thursday 28/02/19 1 16/01/2019 Advertising - Tuesday 05/03/19

HRFCA Mar 19.pdf

10:53

Join businesses supporting our Armed Forces More than 3,000 businesses across the UK have now signed the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC), as organisations of all sizes and sectors pledge their support for Reservists, Veterans and the wider Armed Forces family.

A recent visit by HRFCA to the Isle of Lewis saw three small and mediumsized enterprises put pen [V WHWLY HUK VɉJPHSS` pledge their support to the Armed Forces community.

Cala Hotels Ltd, A D Macdonald & Son and BeSpoke Bicycle (Hebrides) Ltd signed

the Covenant at the Army Reserve Centre in Stornoway. This takes the number of AFC signings on the island to 10.

For more about the Covenant and what it means for you, contact Highland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association’s Regional Employer Engagement Directors in Dundee.

Call Michelle McKearnon on 01382 631026 or email hi-reed@rfca.mod.uk.

Call Roy McLellan on 01382 631022 or email hi-reed2@rfca.mod.uk.

Blackhouse Bakery is another Stornoway Covenant signatory.

SpotLIGHTon .co.uk

Pastoral Le er & Church Meetings Last autumn, two walkers ventured into the hills from the Cairngorm ski centre, heading for Scotland’s second-highest mountain, Ben Macdui. Without a map or a compass, they placed their trust in an app on a smartphone. After conditions became misty, the pair abandoned their ascent and attempted to return to their car.

However, the mobile app proved useless and they soon found that they were lost. Meanwhile, weather conditions worsened and the wind began to gust over 100mph.

Cairngorm Mountain Rescue were called out, but were unable to locate the missing adventurers.

Although police could make contact with them from time to time by mobile phone, the description they gave of their surroundings sounded totally unfamiliar to the rescue team.

The walkers remained in the hills overnight and thankfully were located alive and

What’s on, Clubs, Eating out, Trades Listings and much more...

well in the morning, but by an entirely different mountain rescue team! They were at Linn of Dee, 17 miles from their intended destination, having travelled in the opposite direction.

Our human lives in many ways resemble the journey of the hillwalkers. We set out across the landscape of life with great confidence that we can reach one of life’s summits without too much difficulty. Then, when we fail to reach it, we are sure that our personal choice of guidance system will take us safely home.

Instead, we may end up completely lost.

Over the centuries, people have taught many means of spiritual navigation. Some think all must be equally good, and that a sincere trust in something is all that is needed. Yet the hillwalkers’ firm belief that their smartphone app could be relied upon did not help

Gordon Presbytery Email gordoncoscotland.org.uk. www.presbyteryofgordon.org.uk All Saints Episcopal Church, Woodhead of Fyvie 2nd Sunday of the month: Holy Communion 10.15am (unless notified locally).

Rev Alastair MacDonald Tel: 01464 820477. Email macinsch@gmail.com. www.allsaintswoodhead.aodiocese.org.uk Auchterless Church Rev Stephen J Potts Tel: 01888 511058.

Christ Church, Provost Street, Huntly. Rev. Michael Last.

Sundays 10:30am Fyvie & Rothienorman Parish Church Sunday 11.30am. Teas & coffees from 11am. Interim Moderator: Rev Steve Potts Tel: 01888 511058. www.fyviechurch.org.uk Huntly Christian Fellowship, 10.30am at the Linden Centre, Tim Gordon-Roberts Tel: 01466 794539. Email admin@huntlychristianfellowship.com Huntly Parish Church Rev. Thomas Calder Tel: 01466 792630 Marnoch New Church, Aberchirder Tel: 01466 781143. Email amacgregor@churchofscotland.org.uk Mintlaw & Pitsligo Community Church Sunday 10.30am, St John’s Centre, High Street, New Pitsligo. 2pm Mintlaw Academy.

Refreshments after both services. www.mintlawchurch.co.uk Monquhitter & New Byth Tel: 01888 560304. Email jcook@churchofscotland.org.uk.

St Andrew’s Church, Turriff. Sunday 11.15am. Tel: 01888 560304.

them when it proved lacking. What if spiritual life echoes natural life, and, in fact, most guidance systems will lead us badly astray?

Jesus was certainly not one of those who subscribed to the idea that all roads lead to God. He said: “‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Unlike the walkers’ app, spiritual claims cannot be put through a process of scientific testing. There is much to support the teachings of Jesus, but at some point one needs to take a step of faith. I can’t prove to you that they are true, but it must surely be worth taking the time to consider them. The stakes are too high to do otherwise.

Owen Morris The Junction Church Inverness

Email jcook@churcchofscotland.org.uk St Congan’s Church, Turriff. First & second Sunday of month: Holy Communion, 10.30am; third Sunday of month: Morning Prayer/Family Service, 10.30am; fourth & fifth Sundays of month: Holy Communion, 10.30am. Mary Murray Tel: 01888 568800 or David Henson 01888 563202.

St Kanes Church, New Deer Sunday service 11.30am. Currently seeking new minister. Tel: 01771 644097. Email web@stkanes.org.uk St Margaret's Catholic Church, Huntly. Sunday Mass 9am St Marnan, Aberchirder. Rev Michael Last St Ninian’s & Forglen Church, Turriff. Rev Kevin Gruer Tel: 01888 563850 or email minister@stniniansandforglen.org.uk Strathbogie Drumblade, Huntly Tel: 01466 792702 St Peter’s Church, Fyvie - See Fyvie & Rothienorman Parish Church The Way: Home Church Network Sundays (fortnightly), 4pm 6pm, Tesco’s Community Room, Huntly. Pastor Rolf Karstaedt. Tel: 01466 794978 (Answering machine). www.theway-uk.org Turriff Baptist Church. Meetings vary time and venue.

Deacon Neil Mclean Tel: 01888 560241 If you are a member of a church not listed here or if there are any amendments to existing details, please email linda@winterburnmedia.co.uk

www.balgownieltd.co.uk

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Markethill Industrial Estate TURRIFF, Aberdeenshire T:- 01888 530800 E:- mharper@balgownieltd.co.uk

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QP March 18.pdf

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HUNDREDS OF FULL ROLLS IN STOCK!

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FISHING ON THE FINDHORN Moray Estates currently have fishing availability on the River Findhorn, at Darnaway, by Forres.

n vailable o Rods are a er week day p a day let, basis. or weekly

THE CARPET DEPOT ;/, +,76; )6@5+0, )(5-- () () ;OL 6SK *V\UJPS @HYK ;LS! 6WLU! ;O\Y ¶ :\U HT ¶ WT à ® à ® :HTL KH` KLSP]LY` H]HPSHISL à ® à ® Highland Fuels Jan 17.pdf 1 14/12/2016 We take all major credit cards

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SUPPORTING YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY FROM OUR INVERNESS AND HUNTLY DEPOTS

Home Heating Oil Marine Gas Oil Tractor Diesel Commercial Fuels Oil Storage Tanks Call us for a free quote on 0800 224224 www.highlandfuels.co.uk

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What’s on, Clubs, Eating out, Trades Listings and much more...

Useful Information

Local & Bank Holidays and Special Days St David’s Day Shrove Tuesday Ash Wednesday St Patrick’s Day Purim (J) & Holi (H) British Summertime Starts Mothering Sunday April Fool’s Day

Fri 1st Mar 2019 Tues 5th Mar 2019 Wed 6th Mar2019 Sun 17th Mar 2019 Wed 20th Mar 2019 Sun 31st Mar 2019 Sun 31st Mar 2019 Mon 1st Apr 2019

Isra & Mir’aj (M) Palm Sunday Baisakhi - New Year (S) Maundy Thursday Good Friday First Day Of Passover (J)

Wed 3rd Apr 2019 Sun 14th Apr 2019 Sun 14th Apr 2019 Thurs 18th Apr 2019 Fri 19th Apr 2019 Fri 19th Apr 2019

(H - Hindu; J - Jewish; M - Muslim; S - Sikh)

School Term Dates for 2018/2019 (all dates inclusive) Occasional Day § Fri 8th Feb 2019 Mid Term Holiday Mon 11th Feb 2019 In-Service Day Mon 12th Feb 2019 In-Service Day Tues 13th Feb 2019 Spring Term Ends Fri 29th Mar 2019 Spring Holiday Starts Mon 1st Apr 2019 Spring Holiday Ends Fri 12th Apr 2019 Summer Term Starts Mon 15th Apr 2019 Good Friday Fri 19th Apr 2019

May Day Holiday Mon 6th May 2019 Occasional Day § Mon 3rd Jun 2019 Summer Term Ends Fri 5th Jul 2019 Summer Holiday Starts Mon 8th Jul 2019 for 2019/2020 (all dates inclusive) Summer Holiday Ends Fri 16th Aug 2019 In-Service Day Mon 19th Aug 2019 Autumn Term Starts Tues 20th Aug 2019 § - Turriff

Useful Contacts

Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Aberdeenshire Community Substance Misuse Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01466 794488 Aberdeenshire Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0345 608 1208 Aberdeenshire Libraries HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . 01467 532929 Alcoholics Anonymous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0845 769 7555 Child Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0800 11 11 Family Information Service Aberdeenshire Council (AFIS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0800 298 3330 Gordon Rural Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01466 793676 Grampian Caredata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01651 267392 Grampian Child Bereavement Network . . . 01224 594099 Grampian Women’s Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01224 593381 Huntly Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01466 405950 Huntly Advice Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01466 793676 Huntly, Keith & Turriff Cats Protection. . . . . 01466 760311 Huntly Post Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01466 793448 Huntly Registrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01466 793448 Huntly Social Work Services. . . . . . . . . . . . 03456 081206 Huntly Swimming Pool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01466 792397 Men in Recovery ............................info@meninrecovery.org National Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline ..........................................................................0800 027 1234

National Rail Enquires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08457 484950 Samaritans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 123 Shelter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0808 800 4444 Turriff Citizens Advice Bureau. . . . . . . . . . . 01888 562495 page 10 - March 2019

tel: 01309 690063

Turriff Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01888 562539 Turriff Registrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01888 562427 Turriff Swimming Pool & Sports Centre. . . . 01888 562528 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . & 01888 563800 Women’s Aid ..............................................0800 027 1234

VILLAGE HALLS AND COMMUNITY CENTRES Auchterless, Inverkeithny & Fisherford Community Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01888 511331 Fyvie, Rothienorman &Monquhitter Community Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01651 891652 Gateway Community Centre . . . . . . . . . . . 01888 562562 Linden Centre, Huntly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01466 405953 Srewarts Hall, Huntly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01467 537753 Turriff & District Community Council . . . . . . 01888 562363 VETS Deveron Vets, Turriff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01888 563217 Dunnydeer Veterinary Group . . . . . . . . . . . 01464 820235 Seafield Veterinary Group . . . . . 01542 882209 (Keith) or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01542 835207 (Buckie) Strathbogie Veterinary Centre . . . . . . . . . . 01466 792627 Rotated on a regular basis. To add a contact or to amend existing details, email linda@winterburnmedia.co.uk

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

End of Season Clearout

THIS SPACE COULD HAVE BEEN PROMOTING YOUR BUSINESS!

01542 831769 2 Cluny Square, Buckie

SpotLight covers seven areas from the Moray Firth Coastline in the North to Turriff & Huntly in the East, Aviemore in the South and Inverness in the West.

(time limited offers)

All children’s jackets and trainers

Half original price

Contact us for details of rates and sizes:

(01309) 690063

Keith

Dufftown Railway March 19.pdf

Sale

Massive Savings 1

29/01/2019

The Whisky Line Keith & Dufftown Railway

15:53

on selected adults jackets

Easter Bunny Challenge Come and see the Easter Bunny this Easter weekend and take the Bunny Challenge - Everyone wins a prize.

Open weekends from Easter to September, plus: Fridays from June to September There is a full season of events including: ł Easter Bunny Challenge ł Spring and Autumn Whisky Festivals ł 1940s weekend 15th - 16th June ł October Ghost trains ł Santa specials in December See website for more information

www.keith-dufftown-railway.co.uk Dufftown Station, Dufftown, Tel: 01340 821181 AB55 4BA We welcome charters and group bookings and have disabled facilities at both stations.

KDRA is a registered charity No SCO46348

Orienteering the family friendly sport With New Year resolutions long forgotten and Spring possibly just around the corner, are you looking for a realistic way to get the family more active? Then let me introduce you to the sport of orienteering.

In its most basic form, it’s little more than a good old-fashioned treasure hunt. You have a map, with lots of clues and you have to find the ‘treasure’ – which in the case of orienteering is the next control point.

For kids it’s absolutely brilliant. Shorter courses are sometimes only 1 – 2 km long and those who have found their running legs can sprint between controls. But littler legs can toddle between controls too – there are no speed limits.

As the kids get older they gain confidence and begin tackling courses on their own.

This is where the real fun starts! When you get a bunch of 8 year olds heading into the forest looking for controls, distraction is around every corner. There are dens that need to be built, dead frogs that need to be buried, trees that have to be climbed and wild bilberries that have to be picked.

With the kids busy enjoy the forest, this is when the parents also get to have their own adventure too. An hour or more, running around a forest (or walking – no speed restrictions remember) is food for your soul and a balm for your senses. Fresh air, fitness and a bit of me-time thrown in, as well as a workout for your brain. I’m pretty sure orienteering should be available on prescription.

The next Moravian Orienteering event: Sunday, 3rd March at Darnaway, while Inverness Orienteering Club can be found at Abriachan on Sunday, 10th March.

More details at www.moravianorienteering.org/ and www.invoc.org.uk.

Want to get involved? Search online for other orienteering events near you!

the

n o i h s F a age p

Live your Best Life…

Welcome to the Fashion page, where I share my top clothing style tips with you all.

Aman

S o let ’s star t w ith co lo u r, i t ’s o n e t h i n g I get a sked a lo t abo u t!

M y on e tip i s to hol d t he co l o u r u p to yo ur face - d o your e ye s s p a r k l e a n d sk in look e ve n or d o you fe e l d ra i n e d and lac k lus t re ? O bv i ously we wo u l d a l l

S p r i n g / S u m m e r 2 019 London Fashion Week Colour Palette

Fiesta

Living C oral

Jester Red

Turmeric

Pink Peacock

Pepper Stem

Lemon Verbena

Princess Blue

Toffee

Mango Mojito

Terrarium Moss

Pressed Rose

da

w i s h fo r fo r t he fo r m er - b ut say a st y le fl atte rs yo u, yet no t t he co lo ur, t here are a l ways ways to co m b at t hi s, suc h as a d d i n g a sc ar f in a co lo ur t hat sui t s yo u o r g o l d / s ilver jeweller y to li f t and re fl e c t l i g ht.

Th e co l o ur of t he year has b een n a m e d a s ‘Li vi ng Coral ’.

Pa nto n e d e s c r i be s L i v i n g Co ra l a s “a n a n im at in g a n d l i fe -a ffir mi n g co ra l h u e w i th a go ld en u n de r to n e th at e n e rgi ze s a n d e n l i ve n s wit h a so f te r e d g e”. I’m s o l d a l re a d y…

Bu t h ow d o we i n co r po rate i nto o u r e ve r yd ay wa rd ro b e? S i n ce th e co ra l i s g o i n g to be th e m a in fo c u s, h ow c a n we br i n g o u t th e be s t s o t h at t h is vi bra nt co l o u r fl atte r s YO U. Fo r s o me it m ay b e a bre ath o f f re s h a i r… o th e r s may feel d a u nte d o n h ow to d o ‘ br i g ht ’.

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SpotLIGHTon FREE Listings, FREE to View, FREE to upload Promote your events in this section by going online at www.spotlighton.co.uk Register, key in details which will then automatically be printed in the magazine.

*April Issue Deadline: 28th February*.

Inclusion of events is free. We do not accept submissions for classes, courses or workshops.Contact venues & organisers first as there may be changes.

6.30pm, eden court theatre. £4 adults, £1 children. duets 6.30pm followed by solo piano recitals from around 7.15pm. music by gershwin, brahms, kapustin & much more. email the festival administrator at admin@invernessmusicfestival.org www.invernessmusicfestival.org

March 2019 1 friday

Rolling Events

25 february - 12 march scottish snowdrop festival: a walk amongst the fyvie snowdrops 9am, fyvie castle. free but donations welcome. please note that the castle & tea room are shut for the season.

mairi campbell : auld lang syne; storytelling & music 7.30 pm, alvah hall. £10 adult conc £9 u16 £6 family £30. email at alvahandforglenarts@gmail.com www.neatshows.org.uk/events inverness festival association open strings competition: orchestras 6.30pm, open strings 7.20pm, eden court theatre. £4 adults, £1 children. featuring music by debussy, donizetti, schumann, etc. email the festival administrator at admin@invernessmusicfestival.org. www.invenessmusicfestival.org

2 saturday February 2019

26 tuesday alzheimers scotland hae a news 2pm - 3.30pm, turriff library. come along for a cuppa & a blether

27 wednesday bookbug rhymetime 10am - 10.30am, huntly library. free. song, rhyme & story session for babies, toddlers & pre-school children & their parents or carers. no need to book

28 thursday tin hut acoustic music sessions 8pm - 11pm, the tin hut, gartly community hall, huntly. opportunity for musicians to play in an informal setting. folk, blues & traditional music. call fraser wilson on 01466720247 or chas ford on 01466720234. or email at f.wilson@bosinternet.com inverness music festival open piano competition admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

huntly farmers’ market 9am - 1pm, the square, huntly the sorries: inspired by the music of the corries 7.30pm, the baden powell community hall, turriff inverness music festival scottish traditional night 6.30pm - 9.30pm, eden court theatre, inverness £4 adults; £1 children. open fiddle competition, curtis craig trophy for piping, scottish traditional ensembles & bands of all ages. email the festival administrator at admin@invernessmusicfestival.org. www.invenessmusicfestival.org

3 sunday thainstone house wedding fayre 12pm - 4pm, thainstone house, inverurie the sorries: inspired by the music of the corries 7pm, bennachie leisure centre moravian orienteering: darnaway national event 10.15am - 11.45am - registration, darnaway. the event will be sign posted from the a96, east of brodie. the road from the a96 to conicavel is single track & winding in places. please take care. www.moravianorienteering.org

tel: 01309 690063

March 2019 - page 15

Discover the wonderfully diverse West Coast islands of Scotland the easy way with CalMac Ferries.

You’ll be guaranteed good travel and connection times, regularity and service on all of our 28 routes.

CalMac has been providing passenger ferry services to the west coast and peninsula communities for more than 150 years.

Scotland’s west coast islands are magical places that offer something special for every visitor, for example great beaches, breath taking scenery and everywhere you go, a great Scottish welcome.

Every island has its own individual character and charm.

Irrespective of whether it’s a trip to the islands off the Clyde Coast, the Inner and Outer Hebrides, or Skye and the nearby Small Isles, all count amongst some of Scotland’s finest and most dramatic natural landscapes.

While you are on board While you are on board why not take advantage of our wide range of hot and cold snacks and meals - all prepared freshly on board and using locally sourced produce.

Don’t forget to buy a few souvenirs too in our onboard shops.

CalMac Adventures A selection of day trips and mini cruises.

Departing from Oban, Mallaig, Uig/Skye, and Ullapool as well as Wemyss Bay (for Bute) Kennacraig (for Islay) and Ardossan (for Kintyre and Arran) Take your pick from a short trip of a couple of hours, or a make a full day of it.

Further information Our website at www.calmac.co.uk offers a wealth of information about the routes and islands we serve – including detailed information on timetables, fares, day trips as well as updates on service status.

Adventures made to

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Find your adventure in the Scottish islands all year round

per person return

calmac.co.uk/adventures More than Kitchen Nov 17.pdf

1 05/10/2017 11:45 *Price based on foot passenger: Largs - Cumbrae return

More Than Kitchens

From made-to-measure kitchens to door replacements, bedroom design & fitting, flooring and more...

Full service, from planning and advice to fitting & installation of Kitchens, Bathrooms and Bedrooms. Wooden and Laminate Flooring, Granite Worktops, Kitchen Cabinets, Kitchen Replacement Doors & Worktops

More Than Kitchens, Rothienorman Telephone: 01651 821 562 email: morethankitchens@aol.com web: www.morethankitchens.co.uk

4 monday turriff & district community council 7pm - 9pm, turriff academy. public welcome inverness music festival big sing! 7pm, eden court theatre. inverness. £4; £3; £1. local choirs, incl highland voices, forres big choir, the accidentals, howlin gaels, inverness singers, etc. email the festival administrator at admin@invernessmusicfestival.org. www.invenessmusicfestival.org

5 tuesday

turriff library fyvie folk club 8pm, the vale hotel, fyvie

9 saturday off to africa: ceilidh with 'fittie folk' to help andrew, camran, jack & scott raise funds for their expedition to zambia/botswana in june 2019. they will be participating in several charity projects there including building a school 7.30pm - 11.55pm, royal british legion, fyvie. £15, raffle, games & food. call lesley on 07578 403814 lego club 2pm - 3pm, turriff library quiz & chips in lumsden 7.30pm, lumsden village hall. £2.50 per person. hall open from 5.30pm, come and have your fish supper from van in car park, quiz starts 7.30pm all ages welcome! boharm's bubbly bash in aid of macmillan & hall funds 4.30pm - 7.30pm, boharm hall. mulben, keith £35. prosecco & finger food, with a disco & games!

alzheimers scotland hae a news 2pm - 3.30pm, turriff library. come along for a cuppa & a blether turriff u3a creative writing group 10.15am - 11.45am, turriff library inverness music festival: battle of the bands! 6.30pm primary orchestras, 7.30pm battle, eden court, inverness. adults £4; children £1. the jads, parma violet, flying knee, fruit origin controller and jade saturday sunday paperweights compete for the title. email the festival 1 08/02/2019 15:45 Strathbogie Fiddlers Mar 19.pdf scottish children's champs & bairns' bucket: alpine administrator at admin@invernessmusicfestival.org. competition tbc, cairngorm mountain, aviemore. www.invenessmusicfestival.org call 01479 861261

9

Strathbogie Fiddlers Annual Rally Saturday 23rd March 2019 7pm Gordons Schools Huntly Tickets £10 available from

Raeburn Butchers and Rizzas For more details

Tel: 01466 792708

6 wednesday brander library reading group 11am, huntly inverness festival association premier competition 7.15pm, eden court, inverness. £6. the winners of our open solo music classes compete for the premier trophies. email the festival administrator at admin@invernessmusicfestival.org. www.invenessmusicfestival.org

7 thursday 2019 unibet premier league darts 7pm, aberdeen exhibition & conference centre, bridge of don, aberdeen. £23

8 friday insch farmers’ market 9am - 1pm, insch parish church hall

turriff u3a: arts appreciation 2.45pm - 4.15pm, page 18 - March 2019

tel: 01309 690063

10

10 sunday blood donors: banff 10.30am - 12.30pm & 2pm 4pm, banff academy, bellevue road, banff. to book an appointment please call 0345 90 90 999 or email nss.snbtsenquiry@nhs.net

12 tuesday turriff u3a:family history 10.15am - 11.45am, turriff library alzheimers scotland hae a news 2pm - 3.30pm, turriff library. come along for a cuppa & a blether

13 wednesday bookbug rhymetime 10am - 10.30am, huntly library. free. song, rhyme & story session for babies, toddlers & pre-school children & their parents or carers. no need to book

15 friday insch farmers’ market 9am - 1pm, insch parish church hall turriff u3a: current affairs 2.45pm - 4.15pm, turriff library bohemian rapsody (12a) 7pm, baden powell centre, turriff. £5, from the central filling station, fife street, turriff

15 friday - 24 sunday climate north east week: various events & timings throughout the ne, incl holistic taster sessions to deal with stress at the treatment rooms, inverurie & seedy sunday at aden country park (17th mar). email alison@aberdeenclimateweek.org www.climateweekaberdeen.org/programme admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

15 friday - 16 saturday

27 wednesday

lisa mchugh 5.30pm, thainstone centre, inverurie £26.09. all welcome

18 monday

bookbug rhymetime 10am - 10.30am, huntly library. free. song, rhyme & story session for babies, toddlers & pre-school children & their parents or carers. no need to book

team turriff reading group 6.30pm - 7.30pm, turriff library

28 thursday

19 tuesday bookbug 2pm - 2.30pm, insch library turriff u3a:creative writing group 10.15am - 11.45am, turriff ibrary alzheimers scotland hae a news 2pm - 3.30pm, turriff library. come along for a cuppa & a blether

20 wednesday - 24 sunday the wonderful world of disney on ice various timings, aberdeen exhibition & conference centre, bridge of don, aberdeen. £18

21 thursday

swifts in the urban environment 7pm, ex rbs building, huntly square, huntly ab54 8ad. free of charge but donations welcome. a summer visitor. a master of the sky. uks fastest bird. endangered species. do you know a swift? come and find out! call cally smith on 07411 808573 or email at huntlyswiftgroup@gmail.com tin hut acoustic music sessions 8pm - 11pm, the tin hut, gartly community hall, huntly. opportunity for musicians to play in an informal setting. folk, blues & traditional music. call fraser wilson on 01466720247 or chas ford on 01466720234. or email at f.wilson@bosinternet.com

29 friday

huntly film club 7.30pm - 10pm, ex-servicemen’s club, huntly. free. email huntlyfilms@hotmail.com for details of the films

insch farmers’ market 9am - 1pm, insch parish church hall

22 friday

30 saturday

insch farmers’ market 9am - 1pm, insch parish church hall turriff u3a: geology group 10.30am - 11.45am

23 saturday

swede dreamz: aba tribute 7pm - 11pm, stewarts hall, gordon street, huntly. tables of 5 & 10 can be booked as well as single seats. call 01467 537753 or email at info@centeral.co.uk

united pro wrestling live in aid of brain injury grampian 7pm, rescue hall, peterhead. £8. u16s must be accompanied by an adult lego club 2pm - 3pm, turriff library

24 sunday run garioch 9.30am, garioch sports centre, burghmuir drive, inverurie. free. 3 cp&co junior races, the egroup 5k, dandara 10k & egroup half marathon. plus local clubs, charities & fun for the kids & catering outlets in the event village blood donors: turriff 10am - 12.30pm & 2pm 3.30pm, the academy, victoria terrace, turriff to book your appointment please call 0345 90 90 999 or email nss.snbtsenquiry@nhs.net stan & ollie (pg) 3pm, the baden powell centre, turriff call 07710 007327

26 tuesday alzheimers scotland hae a news 2pm - 3.30pm, turriff library. come along for a cuppa & a blether

page 20 - March 2019

tel: 01309 690063

May 2019 1 thursday - 3 saturday spirit of speyside 2019 an annual celebration of scotland’s national drink. a wide range of whisky inspired events, including distillery visits, tastings, etc. www, spiritofspeyside.com

August 2019 1 thursday - 3 saturday belladrum tartan heart festival 2019: sci-fi theme. acts announced so far include elbow, tom odell, lewis capaldi, the selecter, colonel mustard & the dijon 5, etc booking now open at www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

airngorm to Coast

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Outfit Moray's Cairngorm to Coast (aka C2C) event is a 100km hike and bike challenge that takes place against the backdrop of the magnificent Cairngorm National Park and along the beautiful scenery of the Dava Way. The event is split 30km/70km, taking you from the heights of the Highlands to the coast of 0RUD\ LWpV WKH DUHDpV PRVW VWXQQLQJ GXDWKORQ HYHQW } Cairngorm to Coast – The Route +HOG HDFK \HDU LQ}0D\ &DLUQJRUP WR &RDVW LV FXUUHQWO\ WKH RQO\ HYHQW RI LWV type in the Highlands and Moray area. It starts at the Cairngorm Ski Centre carpark and from there, participants hike or, for the first time this year, bike to Grantown on Spey. The route takes them from the Sugar Bowl, through Glenmore Forest to Glenmore Lodge, on towards Nethy Forest and Lyngarry towards Nethy Bridge. There they join the Speyside Way to the Force Development Training Centre. Highlights along the way include the magical Lochan Uaine and its mystical green water, said to be caused by fairies washing their FORWKHV DQG WKH SRSXODU 5\YRDQ %RWK\ D ZHOO NQRZQ KDYHQ IRU PDQ\ D ZDONHU } At Grantown, those taking part in the hike-only element hang up their boots, receive their medals and enjoy some hot food and a massage. For everyone else, there's the option to get something hot to eat and a massage, if needed, before picking up their bikes and heading up the Dava Way. The old railway line ends at Forres, so participants join a local Sustrans route for their final leg to Lossiemouth. At Lossiemouth, finishers will receive their medal and enjoy a KRW VKRZHU EHIRUH UHIUHVKLQJ WKHPVHOYHV ZLWK D KRW GULQN DQG PDVVDJH } 7KDW V all there is to it!

So, have we made it sound like a nice day out? Well don't be fooled! This is a JUXHOLQJ}FKDOOHQJH DQG UHTXLUHV SOHQW\ RI WUDLQLQJ DQG SUHSDUDWLRQ EXW LW LV achievable and most do! It's important to understand that Cairngorm to Coast is not a race; it’s an endurance challenge and everyone's personal goals are different. Of course, good weather isn’t always guaranteed, which only adds to the excitement of the challenge (just ask C2C’17’s entrants) and with a FKDQJHDEOH ORFDO}FOLPDWH \RX FRXOG EH VWDUWLQJ LQ VQRZ DQG ILQLVKLQJ LQ W VKLUW and shorts!

The hike is open from age 10+ and the bike is open for those over the age of 14+, although anyone under the age of 16 does need to be accompanied. There are three different entry levels to choose from: a 30km hike, 100km hike or a combination of them both with a 30/70km hike and bike.

This year's C2C takes place on 25th May. For more information, or to sign up, visit www.outfitmoray.com/c2c or email info@outfitmoray.com

Adult Non-Fiction

Adult Fiction

Pinch of Nom

The Wych Elm

By Kay Featherstone, Catherine Allinson

By Tana French One night changes everything for Toby Hennessey. A brutal attack leaves him damaged and traumatised, unsure even of the person he used to be. He seeks refuge at his family's ancestral home, the Ivy House, filled with memories of wild-strawberry summers and teenage parties with his cousins. But not long after Toby's arrival, a discovery is made: a skull, tucked neatly inside the old wych elm in the garden. As detectives begin to close in, Toby is forced to examine everything he thought he knew about his family, his past, and himself.

The first cookbook from the founders of the UK's most visited food blog.

Helping novice and experienced home-cooks enjoy exciting, flavourful and satisfying meals - all of which are compatible with the principles of Weight Watchers and Slimming World.

Adult Non Fiction

Seven Signs of Life

By Aoife Abbey Junior Fiction (Under 5s)

The Wonky Donkey

By Craig Smith

The book behind the YouTube sensation of a granny reading this story to her grandchild, viewed over 3 million times.

Who ever heard of a spunky hanky-panky cranky stinky-dinky lanky winky wonky donkey?

Grief. Anger. Joy. Fear.

Distraction. Disgust. Hope. All emotions we expect to encounter over our lifetime.

But what if this was every day?

And what if your ability to manage them was the difference between life and death? For a doctor in Intensive Care this is part of the job. Fear in the eyes of a terminally ill patient who pleads with you to not let them die. Grief when you make a potentially fatal mistake. Disgust at caring for a convicted rapist. But there are also moments of joy, like the rare bright spots of lucidity for a dementia patient, or when the ward unexpectedly breaks into song.

Adult Fiction

We Must be Brave

By Francesa Liardet Spanning the sweep of the twentieth century, We Must Be Brave is a luminous and profoundly moving novel about the people we rescue and the ways in which they rescue us back.

December, 1940. As German bombs fall on Southampton, the city’s residents flee to the surrounding villages. In Upton village, amid the chaos, newly-married Ellen Parr finds a girl sleeping, unclaimed at the back of an empty bus.

Little Pamela, it seems, is entirely alone. As the war rages on, love grows where it was least expected, surprising them all. But with the end of the fighting comes the realization that Pamela was never theirs to keep

Junior Fiction (Teenage)

This Lie Will Kill You

By Chelsea Pitcher One year ago, there was a party. At the party, someone died. Five teens all played a part and up until now, no one has told the truth. But tonight, the five survivors arrive at an isolated mansion in the hills, expecting to compete in a contest with a $50,000 grand prize. Instead, they realise they've been lured together by a person bent on revenge who wants to finally unravel the truth about what actually happened that deadly night, one year ago.

Community Based Nature Projects The birds are in song, fresh green buds are appearing and all of the potential of spring is again awakening from winter’s hibernation. It’s the perfect time for us to re-connect with nature, and there is no better place to be than Nairn for the quality of our natural surroundings.

As John Muir, the influential Scottish environmentalist wrote: “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilised people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity.”

This is after all what brought me back to Nairn, my home town, where a stroll on the beach or a walk around the river is ‘being home’. And its not just the place, its the people that make the community.

Returning, I have found old friends and new, and among them have found the kind of pride in Nairn that wants to improve our surroundings.

Green Hive, Nairn’s environmental charity, embodies all of this, that Nairn’s natural environment is important the green spaces, the wildlife that live in our gardens, parks and links. More than this its a charity that gives everyone a chance to roll up their sleeves and contribute to nurturing and protecting our home growing fruit, planting, clearing litter, creating artworks, reducing the waste that threatens to overwhelm so many communities, not just our own.

The Nairn Viewfield Community Orchard, now in its second spring is nurtured by Green Hive volunteers.

Some view it as Louis McIntosh does, as “an extension

Poem by Julie Lawson of the Pen & I When Pen and I and Green Hive meet There’ll be a buzz about the street The words and lines will flow like honey Some green, some recycled, some wise, some funny With tales and songs to entertain Come celebrate our sweet domain

of our house, a place to come”. It’s a public space in the town with picnic benches and in time a free source of fresh fruit to those that care for it and for our wider community.

This spring as we again begin to care for nature remember that nature can also help us to care for ourselves. John Muir’s belief in the healing powers of nature are backed by a vast and growing body of research showing that being in nature is linked to increased energy and a heightened sense of well-being.

“Often when we feel depleted we reach for a cup of coffee, but research suggests a better way to get energised is to connect with nature” Richard Ryan, professor of psychology at the University of Rochester.

This feels intuitive right? With an abundance of beautiful spots around Nairn, we can really take pleasure in our home town and make the most of what nature has to offer our own well-being. The community orchard is a particularly good place for this, with it’s young trees and all of the growth that will take place there this year, it’s a lovely place to stop, sit and return to throughout the year. And even better when you join a group like Green Hive and meet new people who share your interest where you can nurture your natural environment, nurture yourself and nurture our home.

Kirsty Ellen Nairn resident and Green Hive Development Officer

Join Green Hive by visiting our website greenhive.co.uk, dropping in to our hub space at the Link Studios, Grant Street, or find us on facebook @NairnsGreenHive.

There will be a fundraising event at Nairn’s Little Theatre on Friday 29th March at 7.30pm, organised by the Pen & I, Nairn’s creative writing group, in support of Green Hive, including an evening of prose and poetry and a raffle. Tickets £8 available at the door.

Meaningful

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GARDEN DESIGNER, LANDSCAPE CONSULTANT AND

for the new growth to take over, and evergreen grasses should have any dead grass removed. An effective technique is to pull a small garden fork through these evergreen grasses like a hairbrush.

CHARTERED HORTICULTURIST BASED IN

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ANGEL HORTICULTURE LTD. TOM ALSO BLOGS AS ‘THE MOUNTAIN GARDENER’ WHICH YOU CAN FIND ON HIS WEBSITE AT WWW.ANGELHORT.COM Spring is around the corner! February is the hardest month in the garden in some ways, and it can be difficult to be aware of the rumblings that are starting to happen in some of our plants and trees at the moment. In our ubiquitous Birch trees for example, the sap will be starting to rise in earnest any day.

There are jobs to do in the garden this month to get everything ready for the spring, and it is always satisfying anyway to have a good pre-spring tidy up.

With the lack of foliage on many shrubs, and other plants having died back for the winter, now is a great time to get really stuck into your flowerbeds getting debris, leaves and twigs tidied up. Be careful, however, of enthusiastic bulbs and herbaceous perennials, some of which are peaking above the surface already.

Ornamental grasses need work at this time of year too. Deciduous grasses should be cut back, ready

26

Overgrown hedges can be renovated at this time of year as well. They will be clear of nesting birds at the moment and they will tolerate a hard cut, so if you need to do a major tidy or reduce the size of a hedge then now is the time. Be aware though that the likes of Cypress hedges, like Leylandii, will not re-grow if you cut past the green growth, so you need to be careful with them.

Snowdrops are making an appearance right now, the last flowers of the winter. Snowdrop bulbs are really difficult to succeed with, so transplanting them ‘in the green’ is the best way to get them started. This means waiting until the flowers have gone over and then transplanting the individual plants. You can buy them like this, or perhaps a friendly neighbour might be kind enough to let you take some that you can then let naturalise in your own garden.

Finally, lawn repairs are best carried out at this time of year. Re-cut the edges to flowerbeds and spike any boggy patches. If you spike patches in your lawn remember to brush in a sharp sand and top soil mixture.

If you would like to see more of what I get up to, you can check out my website at www.angelhort.com

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Cleaning Gurus

TO M M TOMM (The Organised Mum Method) is a realistic and fun way to keep on top of your home. “She’s like a personal trainer for housework” Instagram: @the_organised_mum www.theorganisedmum.blog

Ho u se to Ho me at Las t You'll be inspired to get cleaning once you see blogger Danielle's spotless home! As well as giving us serious interior design inspiration with her muted grey and white colour scheme, she often shows her cleaning routine on Instagram Stories – including using Zoflora disinfectant and boiling water to clean her bins, sink, worktops and kitchen cabinets.

Instagram: @housetohomeatlast

Th is G irl Can O rg an ise If clutter is your problem, you'll get inspiration of how to keep everywhere neat and tidy with the help of professional home organiser.

Instagram: @_thisgirlcanorganise www.thisgirlcanorganise.com/

M rs H i nch Mrs Hinch shares her top cleaning hacks and videos from her pristine Essex home. Her spotless kitchen and lounge have become the envy of many and her amusing commentary as she cleans is now inspiring others to don their rubber gloves.

Instagram: @mrshinchhome

Q u een o f Clean One of the stars of Channel 4's series Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners, Queen of Clean Lynsey shares regular low cost and eco friendly cleaning tips.

Instagram: @lynsey_queenofclean queenofclean.blog

Top cleaning tips Ma k e d o o rm a ts welco min g Give them the toughest cleaning they can take. They’re your front line against tracked-in dirt—so keep them clean enough to function at peak efficiency.

Cl e a n c a rp e t s an d u ph olstery Fabrics that have absorbed a winter’s worth of dirt, body oil, and germs will need a deep cleaning to get them ready for another year of wear. Place the legs of each piece back on top of small wax paper squares after shampooing. This will protect your carpet and keep the furniture legs from getting wet as the carpet dries. Open the windows to speed the drying process, which can take a day or more.

F i n i sh y o u r f loo rs To protect the floors in your kitchen from another year of wear and tear, wax or apply a sealer following label directions. The simplest method: Use a combination wash-and-wax floor cleaner. No-wax floors don’t need a polishing treatment, but an occasional makeover will keep them looking fresher and add a protective buffer that could help them last longer. Use a floor cleaner that cleans, shines, or both. If you have wood floors, move furniture and rugs aside, then apply a wood cleaner and either liquid or paste polish to clean and add a new wax coating.

Wa sh w a l l s, cabin ets, b aseb o ard s, and woodwork The walls may not look as if they need a bath—dust and soot fall to the floor, right? Most of it does, but just enough clings to vertical surfaces to warrant a seasonal or pre-holiday bath. Use a sponge and hand dishwashing detergent, washing the surface in sections. A sponge mop makes it easier to reach higher spots. Use two buckets: one for dishwashing detergent solution and another for wringing your sponge. Dry the walls and woodwork with a clean cloth.

Cl e a n c e i l i n g fix tu res Remove dust and dirt from ceiling fans and air-conditioner vents with a cloth and a vacuum with a soft nozzle attachment.

Clean your light fixtures A few minutes with a stepladder, all-purpose cleaner, a sponge, and a polish cloth will give new light to your life.

If your home has skylights or tall ceilings, consider investing in a stepladder and extended-reach dust-and-dirt-removal tools, all of which are available at your local hardware store and at home supply stores.

Ch e c k y o u r c o ils You should clean the refrigerator’s condenser coil with a long-handled bottle brush and a vacuum cleaner with an attachment hose to remove dust and lint. Built-up dust can shut down the unit by causing it to overheat. To remove dust from coils attached to the hard-to-reach back side of the fridge, carefully pull the refrigerator out several feet and vacuum thoroughly; finish by sweeping or vacuuming the floor area you’ve revealed.

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Solutions to last month’s puzzles Medium

Spring Cleaning Use our house cleaning checklist to clean your home efficiently and thoroughly: Before you start going room to room, pause first to put on some great, lively music. That’s better.

Now pick up clutter, and as you go, feel free to second-guess your belongings. The less you have, the less you have to put away, clean, and dust: scrutinise books, magazines, newspapers, dvds, furniture, toys the kids have outgrown, old computers you’ve outgrown, old clothes and shoes in the wardrobes…is it time to donate and recycle?

Speaking of wardrobes, if you have any that you’re afraid to open, face your fears its time to minimise and organise. Dust (go left to right, top to bottom) with microfibre cloths. This will lower allergens and improve the air quality in your house. Dampened cloths tied to the ends of mops and brooms work great for removing cobwebs. For slatted blinds, use the string to close them one way and dust, then close them the other way and repeat…it’s effective and a lot more efficient than trying to do one slat at a time. Don’t forget to hit the tops of doors, light fixtures, picture frames and yes, each of your knick-knacks (keep them in display cases to reduce dusting work). For the face of framed photos, TV screens, and computer monitors, use glass cleaner on your cotton cloth or microfibre to avoid streaking.

Vacuum. Make sure your bag/compartment isn’t already full, and use the right settings and attachments. Hit the floors in the whole house, and upholstered furniture. Be amazed at all those missing items (socks, your favorite pen) that you find under your couch cushions.

Sweep/mop/treat floors. For mopping, start at the farthest corner of the room and move back toward the entrance. Rinse mop after completing each 4 x 4 foot area.

FREE PLAN ANNNIN INGG & DESIGN SERVICE BEST LOCAL PRICE NEED A NEW KITCHEN, FLOORING OR DOORS? WANT TO KEEP IT LOCAL? WANT GIVE YOUR LOCAL HOWDENS A CALL Howdens Joinery is the UK UK’’ss largest manufacturer and supplier of fitted kitchens, appliances and joinery products.

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