September has arrived and many people inform me that they are still awaiting summer.

They say, ‘Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine,’ certainly appertained to summer this year.

 

In every leaf, there’s a whisper of autumns magic, with that thought, we move forward to the season that gives our glens the chance to display their beauty in such vibrant hues.

 

It is not long before we must face the clocks going back. If a year was tucked inside a clock, then autumn would be the magic hour.

 

As we look back at the summer months, The Hub started well with The Buy and Swap Plants event, on the 1st June 2024. 

Numerous members of the community, brought their various plants to sell or swap which provided a lot of interest and a great atmosphere. In addition to garden plants there was an interesting selection of house plants on display, which proved very popular.

Abriachan Nursery provided an extensive range of plants for sale, and offered help and advice regarding all gardening enquiries.

The overall result was lots of car boots being filled with plants to take home and enhance existing gardens, inspire new garden projects, and brighten indoor spaces.

 

The weather was very kind to us. The front garden refurbishment as part of the Ecological Garden Project was not complete, however a great usable space had already been created, allowing tables and chairs to be placed outside, for the Community BBQ, which was held the same afternoon.

There was an excellent attendance, it was a pleasure to see so many people enjoying the sunshine outdoors and sampling freshly cooked food whilst catching up with all the local news and views.

 

We have also held the first two of our Natural History Walkabout Discussions, led by John Malley, 

(former Water Catchment Advisor and Land Manager for the National Trust).

The first was held on Saturday 3rd August at 10am, the second on Wednesday 14th August at 6.30pm.

The walk element was not strenuous. It provided opportunities to learn and talk about the natural environment we live in. Identification of plants, birds, bird song, animals, fungi, flowers, moss and lichen were all discussed. Geographical formations, geology and photography were included in these well attended outings, which were very interesting and suited  the inquisitive minds of the local community. Everyone agreed how pleasurable it was to be out and about and actually see the items of interest instead of seeing them indoors on a screen.

 Coffee/tea and cakes were served afterwards in The Hub, giving everyone a chance to ask further questions and continue the discussions.

Our next Natural History Walkabout which will be a Micrological (Fungi) Excursion, will be held on Sunday 8th September at 10.30am. Weather dependent, everyone to meet at the Hub.

 

Looking forward to Saturday 5th October we will be having an Oktoberfest at The Hub.

As a result of the popularity of last years event, which was a sell out, we will once again be having a Hog Roast. In addition this year we will have live music by Scott Curley Allan, from Edinburgh (see Spotify and Facebook). The three musicians, comprising fiddle, guitar, banjo, and vocals, will be playing traditional/ contemporary music as well as original material. Audience participation will be encouraged. Bring along your musical instruments, or if you would like, you may recite a poem.

As before The Hub are heavily subsidising this event, the tickets will be £10 per person. The tickets will be on sale from Saturday 31st August, where you can pay and collect for them at The Hub Coffee Morning. Otherwise reserve your tickets on line at thehubdalchreichart@gmail.com, Once you have reserved your tickets you will be provided with details of how to pay online. 

No ticket, no entry, due to restricted entry numbers.

 

On Saturday26th October, The Hub Coffee Morning will also have a Table Top Sale. We held one earlier this year which drew a lot of attention. This is not solely a craft sale, we encourage you to sell your unwanted and unused household goods, clothes, plants, cakes and home made food items. Tables must be reserved on line at thehubdalchreichart@gmail.com No charge will be made.

 

On Saturday 2nd November we will be having a Film Night at 7pm. The comedy film, Saving Grace, staring Brenda Blethyn will be showing. This is a free event, Popcorn and ice cream will be served.

 

All our regular events have been held as advertised throughout the summer. They will continue during the Autumn.

Craft and Chat first Wednesday of each month10am till noon.

Commencing 1st October, then monthly as usual from 6th November.

Quiz Night the second Saturday evening each month commencing at 7pm.

14th September, 12th October & 9th November.

Coffee Morning the last Saturday morning each month commencing at 11am until 1pm.

28th September, 26th October with table top sale, & 30th November.

Borrow a book is available whenever The Hub is open for other events.

PLEASE SEE OUR CALENDAR OF EVENTS AT thehubdalchreichart.co.uk

 Arrangements for Games Evenings will be advertised on the Glenmoriston Hub Facebook page.

 

The painting of the outside of The Hub is now completed, this has transformed the whole building.

A new notice board has been erected at the car park entrance, all notifications of events and community information are clearly displayed.

 

The photographic Competition to produce The Hub Dalchreichart Calendar 2025, is attracting some excellent action packed entries. Don’t forget to submit your entries in September and October to thehubdalchreichart@gmail.com stating Photo Competition, with your name and address.

 

The wet weather has delayed, but not deterred our enthusiasm for the Ecological Garden Project at The Hub.

The ground works, rockery, boarder, and bog garden are complete in the front garden area.

A new fence has also been erected between the garden and the schoolhouse.

Ground works are continuing in the rear garden. The solar panels have been repositioned. The deer fencing is underway, the new gate is already in position.

New outdoor tables and chairs have been purchased.

John Ferguson and his landscaping team, from Inverarnie, have done an excellent job whilst battling against the rain and the midges.

We have received confirmation that Trees for Life are going to support us with this Ecological Project. They are going to supply us with some shrubs, plants and small trees.  They have also offered and help, by growing, native trees and shrubs from seed, which we are asking the local members of the community to provide from their gardens. For example, Quince and Wild Cherry, All offers of native seeds, or any shrubs and small trees that the community may have in excess will be gratefully received. They will continue to grow and thrive in our community garden, and be a heritage for the next generation.

 

For further information re The Hub Dalchreichart see our website, thehubdalchreichart.co.uk

on Facebook at https:/m.facebook.com/intheglen

or contact us by email at thehubdalchreichart@gmail.com

 

 

 

THE HUB DALCHREICHART

SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2024
Heralded by the Summer Solstice, we have long light days and nights, and plenty to look forward to in
the months ahead. Best at this point not to mention the midge season!
It has been said that:- A perfect summers day is when the sun is shinning, the breeze is blowing, the
birds are singing, and the mowers broken.
We hope you enjoy, and make the most of summer, however you choose to spend your time.
The Hub Dalchreichart has already had a busy first half of the year.
Our games nights with table tennis, pool, darts and board games have been a hit, and well attended.
Quiz nights have been popular, in particular on Saturday 11

th May when in addition to the Quiz, we had a

licensed bar with free nibbles and hot finger food.
Coffee Mornings have been well frequented, and enjoyed by all, particularly the morning of Saturday
30
th March that included the Table Top Sale and Easter Bonnet Competition. The weather was was very
kind to us. It was lovely to see numerous people sitting outside on the benches, in the sunshine, enjoying
their coffee and cake.
The Angry Seagull mobile catering unit was welcomed on Saturday 23

rd March. Local residents enjoyed
their Fish and Chips and selection of other foods. All the tables inside The Hub main hall, and the
refectory areas were taken with community members and their families who decided to eat in, rather than
take their food home.
Our monthly Photographic Competition, to produce a calendar for 2025, has delivered some exceptional
entries. The April winner was Jane Bowman with her beautiful picture of larch ‘roses’.
The winner each month receives a free copy of the calendar when it is printed at the end of the year.
Their winning picture is printed in the calendar for the appropriate month. Calendars will be available to
purchase upon completion. To help choose the monthly winner visit Westglenmoriston Hub Facebook
page and press the ‘like’ icon, only one vote per person please.
Don’t forget to submit your photo entries by the last day of each month
to thehubdalchreichart@gmail.com
Conditions of entry may be viewed on our website thehubdalchreichart.co.uk
To get the summer off to a good start, we have on Saturday 1

st June at 11am, a chance to Buy or Swap
your plants. We trialled this event last year and it proved very popular. It gives residents the opportunity
to bring their extra bedding, vegetable, rockery, house plants or shrubs etc. to The Hub, and swap or sell
them to those in attendance.
Both Abriachan Nursery and Highland Liliums Garden Centre will be attending with stalls selling plants
and providing advice.
At 2pm there will be a BBQ which is being subsidised by The Hub, with a licensed bar selling Cask Beer
and Wine. You must pre book your ticket to attend the BBQ. No ticket, no food. The food is being freshly
cooked on site and must be pre ordered. To request your tickets please email
thehubdalchreichart@gmail.com You will be provided with a ticket online.

Throughout the summer our regular events will run as normal.
First Wednesday of each Month Craft and Chat 10am till noon.
5
th June, 3
rd July, & 7
th August.

Quiz Night the second Saturday evening each month starting at 7pm.
8
th June, 13

th July & 10
th August.

Coffee Morning the last Saturday morning each month commencing at 11am until 1pm.
29
th June, 27

th July & 31
st August.

Please see our calendar of events at thehubdalchreichart.co.uk

Some new books have been added to our already large selection of books available for you to borrow.
Borrow a Book is available whenever The Hub is open for other events.
We intend to hold more Games Evenings, please watch the Glenmoriston Hub Facebook page for dates
to be announced. We are hoping to hold these on some Friday evenings.
There will be al lot of activity in the grounds of The Hub during the summer, and well into the Autumn
months, as we transform the front and rear areas of the property into Ecological Gardens.
We applied for, and have been awarded, a £20,000.00 grant funded by Great Glen Energy Co-op,
administered by Foundation Scotland to enable us to create gardens that will not only encourage and
provide a habitat for insects and wildlife and sustain them throughout all the seasons, but also be a good
usable space for all the community and visitors who visit our glen.
Preparation work commenced in May, with the repairing of the stone walls around the boundary of the
property.
The long awaited painting of the rendered walls of The Hub was completed leaving the coast clear for the
start of the exciting Ecological Project.
In conjunction with, and to encompass the project, we will be holding a number of talks and outdoor
experiences regarding native birds, insects and plants that not only will be informative, but also illustrate
what we can do in our own gardens to help develop biodiversity and ecological sustainability.
All of the events free to attend, everyone is welcome. They will be advertised on the Westglenmoriston
Hub Facebook page, https://m.facebook.com/intheglen
This project has been designed not just to make a visual impact at The Hub, and more usable space. It is
being created to provide an ecological cocoon to attract all forms of wildlife.
We would encourage the community to embrace the idea and become involved. It will be very informative
and produce a ‘living area’ that will continue to survive and reproduce for many years to come.
A large area will be planted with wild flowers, producing pollen and seeds for bees, butterflies and birds.
As a first step during the summer, please collect seeds from your own garden and pass on to us for
scattering. This is your community garden and we would like to encourage you to be part of it, to watch it
grow and develop.
For further information regarding The Hub, Dalchreichart please see our website,
thehubdalchreichart.co.uk
on facebook at https://m.facebook.com/intheglen
or contact us by email a thehubdalchreichart@gmail.comNEWSLETTER APRIL 2024

 

In 1610 historians believe that a poem stated ‘ Sweet April showers, do spring May flowers’.

In this longer phrase, which was traced back to 1886 ‘March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers. It is said that this means even after long periods of adversity good times will follow.

In April 2024 we can only hope that as the 11th official storm of the year, with torrential rain and mighty gusts of wind passes by, not only to produce May flowers but also sunshine and tranquillity.

The table top sale held on conjunction with last months coffee morning on Saturday 30th March 2024, was very well attended and enjoyed by all.

The weather was very kind to us. It was lovely to see numerous people sitting outside on the benches enjoying their tea or coffee and cake.

With that thought in mind, hopefully by next year at this time the front and rear areas at The Hub will have been transformed into Ecological Gardens, with tables and chairs, providing an interesting and pleasant area to sit and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

We are now in possession of the £20,000.00 grant Funded by Great Glen Energy Co-op, administered by Foundation Scotland.

The Angry Seagull mobile Take Away mobile catering unit was well received on Saturday 23rd March. Numerous people enjoyed their Fish and chips and selection of other foods. All the tables  inside The Hub main hall, and refectory area, were taken with community members and their families who decided to eat in, rather than take their food home.

This months Calendar Photo Competition was won by Cate Lilley of Braeside Lodge,                       

with her photo of a Long Tailed Tit. Don’t forget to submit your April entries, the closing date is Tuesday 30th April, 2024. One entry each month per entrant, please. The winning photographs will be printed on the appropriate month in The Hub Dalchreichart Calendar 2025. The winning photographer each month will receive a free calendar. Calenders will be offered for sale to those who are interested.

There seems to have been some confusion as to where the photographs may be viewed each month, and how you can vote to help decide the winning photograph. All entries are published each month on the West Glenmoriston Hub Facebook page. Press the’ like’ icon to select which photo you wish to vote for. Only one vote per person.

The photos have not been displayed on the Dalchreichart Residents Facebook page or on The Hub website at thehubdalchreichart.co.uk

For those who have given permission and opted to have the newsletter emailed, we will now email the photos directly to you. If you wish to vote please send your vote to thehubdalchreichart@gmail.com

We have received enquires from the community stating that they are not aware of some of the events that are taking place, as they do not use Facebook. All events are posted on a calendar on

The Hub website, see thehubdalchreichart.co.uk

This newsletter may also be found on the website.

The Newsletter also explains more about the events, and how to obtain tickets, if it is a ticket event.

The easiest way to receive all the information is by giving us permission to send you the Newsletter direct. Your email address is not viewable to others or shared in any way.

To request this service send an email to thehubdalchreichart@gmail.com

April 2024

All our usual monthly events are taking place as usual.

Craft and Chat 1st Wednesday in the month, 10am to noon.

Cycling every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday 10.30am to 11.30am.

Quiz Night Saturday 13th April at 7pm.

Coffee morning the last Saturday in the month, 27th April, at 11am to 1pm

May 2024

Craft and Chat Wednesday 1st May, 10am till noon.

Cycling as normal every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

Quiz Night Saturday 11th May,

LICENSED EVENT WITH BEER AND WINE FOR SALE INCLUDING FREE HOT SNACKS

Coffee morning Saturday 25th May, 11am till 1pm.

June 2024

SATURDAY 1ST JUNE SWAP AND SELL PLANTS FROM 11AM

If you have grown extra vegetable, bedding or household plants, shrubs, rockery or any plants you wish to swap or sell, bring them along and give your neighbours chance to buy or swap them.

ABRIACHAN and HIGHLAND LILIUMS NURSERIES WILL BOTH BE PRESENT WITH STALLS SELLING PLANTS.

2PM BBQ.

THERE WILL BE A SMALL CHARGE OF £5.00 PER PERSON FOR THE BBQ. ORDER YOUR TICKET ON LINE at thehubdalchreichart@gmail.com

NO TICKET NO FOOD! Bring your own beverage.

March 2024

It is so lovely to see some sunshine, the plants in the garden are showing signs that Spring is here.  We are also looking forward to an abundance of chocolate eggs at the end of the month. 

The clocks change on Sunday 31st March, an extra hour of daylight in the evening will make a big difference to us all. 

 There is a lot of activity at The Hub, we are pleased to announce that we have been awarded some funding, allowing us to improve the front and rear garden areas at The Hub, by making them into Ecological Garden areas. We are hoping work will commence mid April. 

 The winner of the February Dalchreichart Photographic Competition is Cate Lilley of Braeside Lodge, with her picture of the snow on the mountains. 

This winning picture will be on the February page of The Hub 2025 Calendar. The winner will receive a free copy of the calendar. 

Don’t forget to submit your March entries before the end of the month. 

 ‘The Angry Seagull’, an excellent mobile take away food will be visiting our glen between 4.30pm and 7pm this coming Saturday 23rd March. This is an opportunity to have some time off from cooking and enjoy some freshly cooked fish and chips or other delicious food selected from their large and varied menu. 

You can pre order your food and collect it at a time to suit yourself, or just turn up and make your selection. Please see above menu. 

The Hub will be open throughout, you are welcome to bring your food inside to eat, please feel free to BYOB, or you can take your choice of food home and eat it in the comfort of your own home. 

Please support ‘The Angry Seagull’, they have not charged us for coming to our Glen, and should we wish to receive this service again in the future we have to make it worth their while. 

 To pre order please join their Facebook page and message them via the Facebook Messenger App. 

https://www.facebook.com/theangryseagull 

For orders they have 2 slots available every 15 minutes. 

 Don’t forget to vote for The West Glenmoriston Community Company in the Movement for Good nominate a charity. We could win £1000.00 which we would like to put towards purchasing some acoustic panels for inside the main hall of the Hub. 

The vote closes on 18th March 2024, please VOTE TODAY at https://www.movementforgood.com 

Search for West Glenmoriston Community Company, fill in your brief details and submit. 

 At 11am on Saturday 30th March it is our Coffee Morning and Table Top Sale, commencing at 11am until 2pm. 

We are also having an Easter Bonnet Competition, everyone, all genders and ages are welcome to take part. Any type of hat, i.e. flat cap, ladies' hat, bobble cap will be accepted but it must be decorated in an Easter theme. There is a Marks and Spencer's voucher for £25.00 for the winner, giving plenty of opportunity to spend your winnings on Easter Eggs, food or something more practical from the M & S range. The judging will be at 1pm, our judge is Bob Slattery. 

 All other monthly events will be taking place as normal. 

Craft and Chat 1st Wednesday in the month, 3rd April. 

Quiz Night 2nd Saturday in the month, 13th April. 

Cycling Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. 

Book borrowing whenever The Hub is open for other events. 

 

The Hub Newsletter November 2023

The dark nights are drawing in and all the shops are hurtling towards Christmas at a great rate of knots. Summer is but a distant memory.

Team Hub have remained busy, albeit, behind the scenes.

Due to the long spells of damp weather the painter has not been able to paint the outside rendered walls of The Hub building. Hence, our new sign and notice board have not been erected. This is very disappointing as it will make a visible difference. Something to look forward to!

 

The games night held on 23rd September was a great success. The new table tennis table, together with the pool table and dart board were continually in use. Scrabble and other board games were very popular.

It was nice to see some new faces, families and children all having fun.

 

At 7pm on Saturday 21st October we have our Oktoberfest Event with Hog Roast. This is a licensed event, beer and wine will be on sale.

Everyone is welcome without charge, but should you wish to partake in the Hog Roast, and enjoy the scrumptious food provided by The Spitting Pig, you must purchase a ticket in advance, these are £20 per head. The overall cost for the Hog Roast is over £1000.00, for a whole Hog to be cooked on site, this event has been heavily subsidised by The Hub. You are getting more than a Pork Bap!

Tickets are now on sale, please email thehubdalchreichart@gmail.com to request your tickets, specifying Hog Roast. No ticket, no food!!

In addition to the bar and food, there will be traditional music, a Bavarian Photo Booth and a musical Quiz with prizes.

Come along and enjoy a genuine Oktoberfest atmosphere.

 

At 7pm on Friday 17th November everyone is welcome to our Film Night, there is no charge.

We will be showing ‘What we did on our Holiday’ a comedy suitable for all the family.

The cast includes David Tennant, Billy Connolly and Rosamund Pike.

The film was shot on location in Glasgow and the Scottish Highlands, including the beach at Gairloch and Drymen near Loch Lomond.

Enjoy complementary pop corn and ice cream

 

Commencing at 7pm on Saturday 9th December we will be holding our Christmas Meal at The Hub, which will be transformed into a restaurant for the evening. The food will be prepared on site by a catering team, who are part of A Taste of Moray, a family run outside catering business that specialises in the fantastic foods that the Highlands are famous for.

Choose your starter, main course and dessert from the below menu. The meal will be charged at £20 per head, payable in advance, which again is heavily subsidised by The Hub, as the overall cost for this menu is in excess £50.00 per person. Bring your own beverages.

There are a limited number of tables for 2, other tables are available for 4, 6, or larger groups, allowing you to eat with just your partner, friends, neighbours or family.

There will be a Christmas Musical Quiz after the meal, with prizes.

To book your table email thehubdalchreichart@gmail.com, stating your size of table, specifying Christmas Event, with your menu choices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre choose from the menu below, 1 starter, 1 main course and 1 dessert per person.

 

 

Starters            Garlic Mushrooms with Cream Sauce and Crusty Bread

                         Smoked Salmon & Waldorf Salad

                         Charcuterie Plate with Pickles & Crostini

 

 

 

Mains             Ballotine of Chicken Stuffed with Stornoway Black Pudding, Wrapped in Pancetta                                     

                       Wrapped in Pancetta with a Whisky Cream Sauce.

                       

                       Grilled Scottish Salmon in a Brown Shrimp Sauce.

 

                       Beetroot, Walnut & Lentil Wellington.

 

 

Desserts         Baileys Creme Brulee with Shortbread

                       Dark Chocolate Torte with Raspberry Sorbet

                       Selection of Scottish Cheese with Grapes, Quince and Oatcakes

 

               

 

At 4pm on Christmas Eve, Sunday 24th December you are invited to wish the Community a Merry Christmas at The Hub, with Christmas Carols, Music and Campanology, enjoy a glass of Sherry or Port and  mince pies.

 

 

On 14th October at 7pm, the Quiz will take place as normal.

 

On 11 November at 7pm the Quiz will be replaced with a Games Night,  to include Darts, Pool, Table Tennis and Board Games, due to the popularity of the September Games Night, and requests for more functions of this nature.

 

 

All our other monthly events will take place as normal:-

 

Coffee morning 11am to 1pm the last Saturday of each  month.

 

Craft and Chat 10am to 12 noon the first Wednesday of the month.

 

Book Borrowing 10am to noon every Friday

 

Music Club 10am to noon every 1st and 3rd Friday.