10 minute read
Macmillan Ball
The Macmillan Ball
Chris Jones The Macmillan Ball is a new event on the Lochaber social scene that organisers plan to make an annual celebration and thank you for the work of the local Macmillan Cancer Support charity. The lion’s share of the work to create the event was carried out by Jeanette Lane, following a suggestion put forward by a friend, to celebrate the life of her late husband, retired senior army officer Kevin Lane of Stronaba. Kevin was nursed by Macmillan Cancer Support staff during his illness last year so his family and friends wanted to show their appreciation for the exceptional care he was given. Kevin’s two sons, David from London and Michael who flew in from Western Australia, joined their mother at the ball and helped with the decorations to transform Caol Community Centre into display of green and white Macmillan colours, including inflating enough balloons to make two spectacular arches. Musical entertainment on the night was fronted by the bloomin’ marvellous Great Glen Swing Band, led by another evergreen John Whyte on his smooth trombone. This was the band’s first full-on two-set gig since before lockdown, but the listener would hardly have know it. The band treated everyone to a selection of up-beat swing music, with singers Brian Hepburn and Sheena Coull out front for classics including ‘I Feel Good’ and ‘Minnie The Moocher’. We’re blessed to have such an excellent big band in our area – a rarity these days. Raffle tickets sold like hot cakes, as did bids on the silent auction. The organisers thank everyone who generously donated prizes, cash and items for auction. The
Advertisement
The Macmillan Ball
raffl e draw was great fun, with Kevin and Jeanette’s sons on top form offi ciating, followed by them wringing every drop of kindness from auction bidders. Raffl e ticket sellers Sue and Gaynor went round the tables collecting paper money to add to the night’s fantastic fundraising. Neil McBain brought along his Nimble Mobile Disco to provide background music and later closed out the night, setting the dance fl oor ablaze with a classic party set featuring the all-action ‘YMCA’ and ‘Agadoo’. It was the 1970s all over again! The fi nal total is still being calculated but at the time of writing, it looks like a donation of £3,600 will go to the Lochaber Macmillan Cancer Support team, every pound of which will be spent in Lochaber on all manner of things to make life a little easier at what can be a very diffi cult time. Look out for The Macmillan Ball in March 2023.
O Beat Bikes and Electric Bikes
Electric Bikes! They have become the Marmite of the cycling world, but love them or hate them it’s undeniable that they are here to stay! Fort William has a huge role to play in worldwide cycling, we are home to the only round UK of the Mountain Biking World Cup, an event that has brought the eyes of the world onto the Scottish Highlands. The last two years have seen a monumental shift in cycling in our town. Whether your bike powers your morning commute, weekend canal rides or the thrill of mountain biking on the countless trails of Leanachan Forest and the West Highland Way, the electric revolution is gathering unsurpassed momentum. But why? For most, the steep terrain of the highlands limits their riding to the lowland trails, the stunning Caledonian Canal, or the fl at commutes along cycle paths. Those of us residing in the higher reaches of the town, up the steep tarmac climbs often fi nd the uphill slog too much to face, our bikes lying dormant in the shed whilst we trudge to and from town, or rack up the commuting miles with everrising fuel prices. Electric bikes are the solution. We have been so fortunate to bear personal witness to the hundreds of lives changed by an electric bike over the past two years! People once more leave their cars at home and feel the freedom of a bike, with motors powerful enough to make every road climb a breeze and batteries durable enough to cover up to and beyond 85 miles on a single charge. It’s not just the humble commute that has changed for us though, we sit in the centre of some of the world’s most stunning terrain, from snow-capped peaks to endless moors and white sandy beaches! Without an electric bike, so much is inaccessible to all but the fi ttest and most adventurous among us. But with an electric bike, it’s proven to be a diff erent matter entirely! For the fi rst time for many, the seemingly infi nite forest and hillside tracks have become accessible, opening a new world of experience to us all.
Specialist electric and mountain bike shop supplying the Highlands and Islands with the best quality bikes, components, accessories and wild swimwear since 1985 Huge range of bikes and accessories Fully equipped workshop Cytech qualified technicians Personal service and advice tailored for you Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm
Lochaber Probus Club
David Anderson A group of retired and semi-retired folk meet in the education centre at Lochaber Rural Complex, Torlundy, once a month to listen to a guest speaker, have a good natter and enjoy lunch. This is Lochaber Probus Club. We start at 11.30am for coffee and finish around 1.45pm. Our meetings welcome all ‘retirees’, both male and female, who enjoy company and a blether. We exist to provide regular opportunities for members to meet others in similar circumstances, with similar levels of interest, to make new friends and to maintain and expand their interests. We are not a fund-raising organisation. Probus clubs originally started in the 1960s as associations of retired and semi-retired professional and businesspeople - hence the name - and are now a worldwide organisation. Our club is in regular contact with Probus members in Queensland, Australia, and nearer to home in Banchory, Turriff and Glasgow. Lochaber Probus Club started in January 2020 with only six people being present at the initial meeting, but numbers quickly rose. Unfortunately, with the outbreak of covid, we had to suspend our meetings from the middle of March 2020 until August 2021. Our guest speakers for the remainder of 2021 included Clare Reynolds talking about music therapy, Joan Kennedy and Gavin Reid of the Young at Heart walking club, Jo Cowan of Age Scotland and Kenny and Barbara Mathieson on their work with the Blythswood Trust. Our 2022 programme included Lorna Steele-McGinn and Rory Green from the Lochaber Archive Centre and Carrie Hallam of Prostate Scotland. Our next meeting is on May 19 with Hannah Newton of Lochaber Hope. We plan to finish the session with lunch at the Alexandra Hotel on June 16. There are no meetings during July and August. Meetings will held on the third Thursday of each month until September 2022, after which we will change to the first Thursday of the month. There is a £5 per meeting donation for those attending with lunch being paid individually directly to the centre. The first meeting of next session will be on September 1. Would you like to join us or would you like to volunteer as a speaker? For further information, contact club secretary David Anderson by email on david@mirlos. co.uk, by phone 07802 452293 or through the club’s Facebook page ‘Lochaber Probus Club’.
Delivering All Aspects Of Civil Engineering.
New Build & Extension Groundworks Sewers & Septic Tanks Concrete & Steel Work Kerbing & Paving Works Bell Mouths & Access Roads Tar Surfaced Driveways & Car Parks Cable & Water Pipe Tracks Retaining Walls Excavation Works Excavators For Hire With Operator
Mob. 07528 801393 | info@gordongeorgeconstruction.co.uk
Chlaram Computer Services
For all your Laptop/PC repairs and upgrades, wireless/internet setups and custom builds
Distance no object - covering all areas from Oban to Mallaig to Fort Augustus.
Graeme Fallows Banavie 01397 773 197 Graeme@gmx.us
Members John Ferguson & Caroline Ferguson
• First time Buyer • Buy to Let • Home mover • re-mortgages • CapitaL raising • CommerCiaL
(for commercial mortgages we act as introducers)
Call to speak with a Professional Mortgage Adviser for a free initial consultation: 01397 705848
F 01397 703537 m 07899670260 e info@johnferguson-mortgages.co.uk m Morvern, Glen Nevis Fort William PH33 6PF johnferguson-mortgages.co.uk
as a mortgage is secured against your home, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments
MOST PROMISING FUTURE INVESTORS
FUEL CHANGE CHALLENGE
Iain Ferguson Schoolgirls from Lochaber High School were named as the most promising next generation of business investors when they came out top in the Growing Future Assets Competition, a contest to nurture future female investment experts and encourage them to consider a career in industry. Emilie Stewart, left, Talia Stoddart, with fellow team member Sophie Lewin won the senior 16 -18 age group category collecting £1,000 for the school and £200 of vouchers of the students’ choice for each team member. The girls looked at the role and future of renewables while honing their business skills and looking to potential future employment. Speaking on behalf of the team, Talia said: ‘It was a truly insightful experience that I’d
Apprentices at BSW have been planning for a greener future by taking part in ‘The Fuel Change Challenge’ organised by Skills Development Scotland (SDS). In the fi rst year of the project, apprentices came up with the idea of using electric powered side loaders, which were trialled at the Corpach Sawmills, leading to a positive outcome. They also looked at the possibilities of a combined heat and power cycle within the mill, not only signifi cantly reducing emissions, but also off ering a large reduction in operating costs. Now in its second year, with new apprentices taking part, one of the projects under consideration is working with other local businesses in delivery of parts and materials, co-operating on transport to reduce the number of vehicles required recommend to any girl. I’m excited for the opportunities and pathways that have been opened for me and winning this competition for me is the fi rst step to starting my future career.’
for these loads. Such was the tremendous impression made by these projects, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes and offi cials from SDS visited the plant and met with the young people to discuss their achievements and proposals.
* All types of UPVc work * Exterior Painting * Cladding * Gutterings * Down Pipes * Windows and Eaves * Facias and Soffits
Tel 01397 712120 or 0755 311 1093
Michael J Kennedy
Painters & Decorators
For High Quality Workmanship
Ames Taping, Coving, Airless Spray, New Builds Commercial, Industrial & Domestic
Sollas, Bunree, Onich, FORT WILLIAM PH33 6SE Mob 0780 335 7221 Tel: 01855 818026
Established 1988
