The Newsletter of the Badenoch & Strathspey Community Transport Company

VOLUNTEERS CHRISTMAS PARTY 2016

by Ros Munro

We had a record attendance of 60 volunteers at their Christmas party this year! Was it because someone had leaked the entertainment line up we wonder, or were they all hoping for a reappearance of the Gangnam Gang? Unfortunately some hopes would have been dashed at the news of them being on a world tour! Let’s hope nobody was too disappointed. Some members of Kinloss Military Wives Choir opened up the evening with a collection of Christmassy songs, including their newly recorded single, “Home for Christmas”, at number 3 in the Independent Music Charts, just behind Adele! We wish them chart topping success. After the traditional supper of Cairngorm Hotel’s finest stovies and mince pies, volunteers were treated/subjected to more chart toppers, “The Spice Girls”, who agreed to hold their Aviemore auditions at the party, to stand in for a late call off act. They rocked the joint with some very scary vocals and hairy dancing, showing that they certainly haven’t changed much over the years! Thank goodness the fabulous Badenoch Fiddlers were on hand to provide some reel entertainment. Their musical talent is massive and was very much enjoyed. Last up but certainly not least was Mr George Gordon who’s amazing vocals showed him to be a true King of Swing! George also stepped in as manager for the Spice Girls, helping them with their 20 minutes preparation for the gig. Thank you to all entertainers for giving us a great evening. Thank you to Santa for rewarding our good volunteers. Just one more thing to say, we’ll tell you what we want what we really, really want – please come and join us again next year!

Winter 2016

PARTY PHOTOS

LAUGHTER REALLY COULD BE THE BEST MEDICINE THIS CHRISTMAS AS NEW RESEARCH REVEALS THAT OVER HALF OF ALL LONELY OLDER PEOPLE SIMPLY MISS HAVING SOMEONE TO LAUGH WITH. Over 1 million older people in the UK suffer chronic loneliness, a condition which increases likelihood of an early death by 26%. A new survey of lonely people 65 years-old and older by the Campaign to End Loneliness, found that, of all possible experiences, simply being together with someone is missed most of all (52%), closely followed by laughing with another person (51%). Meanwhile 46% miss having a hug. The research revealed that older people experiencing loneliness miss simple ‘everyday’ moments, such as sharing a meal (35%), holding hands (30%), taking country walks (32%) or going on holiday (44%). Almost one in five (17%) identified having a drink at the pub as something they longed to do. Factors that can contribute to chronic loneliness, such as bereavement, disability, poor health and lack of transport, often converge in later life, making it harder for people to participate in activities they enjoy. Respondents to the poll mentioned loss of confidence, ill health, disability and sensory loss as barriers to participation. Laura Alcock-Ferguson, Director of the Campaign to End Loneliness, said: “Meaningful social connections are essential for human happiness. At the Campaign, we want to make loneliness everyone’s business and show that we can all play a role in combating loneliness in their community, whether as an organisation or an individual. Jim, 87, said: “Loneliness is like a heavy cloud hanging over you. I had long periods of isolation. The loneliness crept up on me and I became depressed, which made matters worse. When you’re on your own you forget how to talk to people. Having someone to talk to – just small unimportant things - makes all the difference in the world.” To find out more about the Campaign to End Loneliness visit www.campaigntoendloneliness.org

MONTHLY MUSIC AFTERNOONS IN 2017 Fridays 2-4PM 27 JANUARY – AVIEMORE BRITISH LEGION 24 FEBRUARY – GRANTOWN BRITISH LEGION 31 March – GLEN GROVE LOUNGE, NEWTONMORE 28 APRIL – AVIEMORE BRITISH LEGION 26 MAY – GRANTOWN BRITISH LEGION 30 JUNE – KINCRAIG VILLAGE HALL 28 JULY – AVIEMORE BRITISH LEGION 25 AUGUST – GRANTOWN BRITISH LEGION 29 SEPTEMBER – TBA 27 OCTOBER – AVIEMORE BRITISH LEGION 24 NOVEMBER – GRANTOWN BRITISH LEGION tel:01479 810004

ARE YOU LONELY THIS CHRISTMAS? By Ros Munro Loneliness isn’t always about being on your own. Some people live alone and enjoy their own company, whether it’s Christmas or not, and this is okay. Others crave someone to talk to or share some time with them. For these people being alone is not okay. Sometimes their GP is the only person some see, or they manage to do some shopping but once they close the door behind them, that will be it until the next shopping trip. Time drags, mood becomes low and sadness prevails. The hype around Christmas seems to heighten feelings of loneliness, as people become aware of how little they have of what’s being advertised as a magical, family Christmas. I have been watching Good Morning Britain’s “One Million Minutes” Campaign with great interest and have contacted them to highlight all that we do here at BSCTC. It’s amazing to go on their pledge page and watch the minutes rolling over! I only wonder how many of those minutes pledged will actually be fulfilled. Hopefully all of them, but without support many may not be. BSCTC supports volunteers and helps them find roles to match their skills, talents and lifestyles. Everything we do has the goal of reducing loneliness. When you drive someone in your car to their next appointment, I bet you engage in interesting conversations and hear about a life once led. When helping someone shop, you possibly point out new things to try or wonder about and you may also notice that their shopping habits have drastically changed, being a sign that all may not be quite well. We welcome your calls with stories or concerns. You are our eyes and ears, seeing clients and getting to know more about them than the sparse information we hold on the database. In effect, whatever volunteering role you carry out for us, you are befriending the people you meet and help. Your volunteering minutes and hours are making a big difference to lonely local people. You are more than just a driver, or shopping assistant. You are a lifeline that brings smiles to faces. That cake you baked was more than just a cake, it gave someone an afternoon out at our music afternoon, where they met others and had a lovely tea. Volunteering probably helps some of you with moments of loneliness, getting you out of bed and interacting with others and gaining a sense of purpose. You may be fairly new to the area, but now feel you know more people, thanks to volunteering. Let’s continue to commit minutes and hours and fight off loneliness in our local communities. Let’s not be lonely this Christmas or going forward. If you would like to commit more of your time, please get in touch with Ros or Helen and discuss volunteering roles, such as befriending, help with shopping, driving etc.. Defeating loneliness is not just for Christmas.

LUNCH BUNCH Come along and join our Lunch Bunch, at Andersons Restaurant, Boat of Garten. Enjoy a special priced 3 course lunch (£10) in good company, on the second Wednesday of each month, at 12.30pm (occasionally it’s the third Wednesday). Use our all abilities accessible transport, the Community Car Scheme, or make your own way there. You will meet people from all corners of Badenoch & Strathspey, eat fabulous food and no washing up! The photo was taken at our December lunch. Numbers were less than usual due to other Christmas parties and lunches – there were 22 people having lunch together in November! Our next lunch is on Wednesday 11 January at 12.30pm. Please contact Ros (01479 810004 / [email protected]) for more info or to book a place.

CHRISTMAS RECIPES I sent out a plea for Christmas recipes and was inundated with options. I could not choose so have opted to include them all and you can choose the ones you want to make. You will note

that they are all sweet recipes - what does that say about our palates? Enjoy! CRANBERRY SQUARES from Sandra Taylor ½ cup marg 1 cup flour 2 tbsp icing sugar 2 eggs 1 cup sugar 1/3 cup flour Salt 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp almond flavouring 1/3 cup chopped raisins ½ cup coconut ½ cup chopped nuts 2/3 cup cranberry sauce 1. Mix marg, 1 cup flour and icing sugar together and pat into the bottom of an 8” square tin (either loose bottomed or baking parchment on bottom). 2. Beat eggs and add remaining ingredients. Spread over the crust. 3. Bake at 350F/ 180C/ Gas 4 for 40 minutes. Cool. 4. Cover with butter icing or cream cheese if desired

CHRISTMAS PUDDING ICE CREAM from Ros Munro The irresistible ice cream will keep in the freezer for up to one month. It's a great way of using up the leftover Christmas Pud and a little stretches a deliciously long way! 3 eggs, separated∙ 2 level tbsp artificial sweetener Pinch of grated nutmeg Grated zest and juice of 1 orange 110g Christmas pudding 450g fat-free natural fromage frais 1. Whisk the egg whites with the artificial sweetener in a clean, dry bowl until they stand in stiff peaks. 2. Beat the egg yolks with the nutmeg, orange zest and juice. 3. Chop up the Christmas pudding and stir into the yolks with the fromage frais. 4. Carefully fold the beaten egg whites into the fromage frais mixture and spoon into a freezerproof container. 5. Freeze until nearly firm and frozen, then remove from the freezer and stir well. Replace in the freezer until frozen and firm. 6. Remove the ice cream from the freezer about 10-15 minutes before serving to allow it to soften slightly.

SQUIDGY CHOCOLATE LOG from Fran Raw 5oz caster sugar 6 large eggs, separated 2oz cocoa powder Filling: 8oz plain chocolate 2 large eggs, separated 8 fl oz double cream Icing sugar Oven 350F,180C, Gas 4 Lined and greased tin 11.5” x7”x1”. Grease the greaseproof paper too. 1. Begin by making the chocolate filling: Break the chocolate in pieces and into a bowl and add two tbsp water. Place over a bowl of simmering water and allow chocolate to melt. Remove from heat and beat with wooden spoon till smooth. 2. Beat 2 egg yolks, first on their own then into the warm chocolate mixture. Let it cool a bit then whisk the egg whites till stiff and fold into the chocolate mixture. Cover bowl and chill for 1 hour. 3. For cake, whisk 6 egg yolks until they start to thicken, then add the caster sugar and continue to whisk until the mixture thickens slightly, but not too thick. 4. Mix in the cocoa powder. 5. Beat egg whites till soft peak stage then fold into chocolate mixture. Pour into prepared tin. 6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until springy and puffy. When cooked, leave in cake tin till cool it will shrink as it cools. 7. When cold, turn onto an oblong of greaseproof paper which has been liberally dusted with icing sugar. Peel away lining paper from the bottom of the cake (which is now facing upwards), then spread chocolate mouse filling over the cake. 8. Whip the cream softly and spread over chocolate filling. 9. Gently roll up the cake to make a log shape. It will crack during the process, but this is normal and adds to the appearance. (As an alternative to the chocolate mouse use an 11oz can of sweetened chestnut puree.

CRANBERRY CHRISTMAS ROCKIES from Joan Steele 50g/2oz unsalted butter 100g/4oz self raising flour 1tsp ground mixed spice 50g/20z light muscovado sugar 85g pack dried cranberries 1 small apple, cored and finely diced 1 egg, beaten 1tbsp milk Icing sugar, to serve 1. Heat oven to 180C/Fan 160C/ Gas 4. Lightly oil a baking sheet. 2. Rub butter into flour to fine breadcrumbs (or pulse in a food processor). Stir in rest of ingredients till you have a soft dough. 3. Drop 8 tbsp or 16 heaped tsp of dough onto the baking sheet, spacing out well. 4. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden. 5. Cool on a wire rack and dust with plenty icing sugar. Pack into an airtight container.

NUTELLA PASTREY CHRISTMAS TREE from Polly Gilligan (age 11) 1 (500g) packet ready to roll puff pastry ½ tsp coconut oil 4-5 tbsp Nutella® hazelnut spread, at room temperature 1 egg, lightly beaten 1. Preheat the oven to 190 C / Gas 5. Line a large baking tray with tin foil and grease with a little coconut oil. 2. Cut the block of pastry in half, then roll out two sheets 28x33cm (11x13 in) on a lightly floured surface. Try to make sure that the sheets are about the same size. Lay the first sheet out on the prepared baking tray. 3. Very gently, score a rough shape of a Christmas tree (triangle) with a knife, just so that when you spread over the Nutella®, you have a guide for where the tree will be. Try to maximize the space and leave the base of the triangle as wide as possible, and leaving a little space for a star at the top. 4. With the back of a spoon, spread the Nutella® thinly in the triangle area. You should end up with a chocolate triangle. 5. Roll the second sheet of puff pastry up then place at the top of the bottom layer, ready to roll it down towards you. 6. Gently with your fingers try to feel the outline of where the chocolate is underneath. Score along the lines of the triangle first with a knife then begin cutting carefully. I pressed the blade into the pastry rather than sliced so that I did not tear the foil. Remove the excess pastry. 7. At the base of the tree carefully cut away two strips either side to form the base of the tree trunk. 8. Very lightly, score where the trunk of the tree will be as a guide, wider at the base, getting thinner at the top. Pressing the knife blade rather than slicing, begin cutting the pastry to form the branches, following the line of the trunk and getting narrower the further up they go. 9. Finally the tree will be ready for twisting! Beginning at the base, twist the pastry away from you, trying to get in two turns on the lower branches. 10. Continue moving up the tree, twisting away from you as you go. At the top of the tree you may only get a single twist in the top branches.. 11. If desired, cut out a star with the trimmed pastry and place on the baking tray. Brush the star and tree with lightly beaten egg. 12. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until risen and golden brown. If you want to serve right away, allow to cool for a few minutes then slide a piece of baking parchment underneath to use to lift and transfer to a serving plate, or slide off if firm enough. There are more pictures to describe the process on http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/38935/nutellareg--pastry-christmas-tree.aspx but basically if an 11 year old can make this, then what excuse have the rest of us got!

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSOR’S REPORT by Marrianne McLeod About my job so far... What can I say? It’s been quite an eye opener at times with all the challenges the company has to face, but I also found that I work in a weird and funny place too! One minute I could be catching up on some reading and the next moment having a cup of tea while modelling a costume for the volunteers’ Christmas party for Kirsty to sew tinsel onto. Billy has even given me the nickname ‘Rosebush’ because I like to drink redbush tea. I’ve also met many great people – clients, volunteers and other business people who have helped me to understand what community transport is and what it means for the communities in the Cairngorms. Though, the BSCTC goes way beyond transport to give people a reason go out and meet others. I had the opportunity to assist in the Thursday morning shopping, helping some members with their messages and shopping whilst learning about them. I also went to one of the music afternoons – there were so many happy faces! Oh, and there was also the Body Shop fundraiser. (Where would this company be without charitable donations?) I hope that by working here I have made an impact on how the company manages its carbon emissions as well as being more aware of the impacts transportation has on the environment. This is such a lovely area – why spoil it? So, we are looking into how more communities in the Cairngorms can benefit from community transport, both socially, economically and environmentally or how we can inform residents on lower emitting transportation options. So far, I’ve looked into lots of environmental solutions including a wheelchair accessible electric multipurpose vehicle (MPV), changing the electricity metering for the BSCTC and the Citizen’s Advice Bureau next door and possibly setting up a commercial carsharing scheme, in partnership with another organisation, for both locals and tourists to use. Let’s hope another project materialises in the near future...!

SUCCESS Our Environmental Assessor, Maarianne, is feeling rather chuffed with herself. After several weeks of nagging all the staff to change their habits in the office (turn off lights/ kettle, putting computers to sleep if not being used for long periods, close doors etc) and finding it a struggle, she has now had a major success. Maarianne gave a presentation to the Board about her work for BSCTC. One director, Lynn Benge was so impacted by what Maariaane said that she has changed her car (Honda CR-V) for something infinitely more economical (Citroen C4 Grand Picasso). Lynn says:

“My thoughts on this were: This Honda is getting quiet expensive, only 38 mpg and £270 per year Road Tax. This more or less came to my attention when it went in for its Service and MOT in late November and Tax due which cost me a very shinny penny. While we had the Honda it was very comfortable and suited our needs. When Maarianne had done her Survey on the Emission of the cars our volunteers drive for our AGM at the beginning of November 2016 I was astonished that the Honda came out so bad, and was quite upset about it. So thinking hat on to look at cars that were good on emissions and mpg and low road tax as for a pensioner money counts, so we started looking on the Internet and in Inverness. If it had not been for this survey that Maarianne did I would still be driving the Honda instead of my new car a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso at £20 per a year Road Tax and 60 mpg. This survey was a valued lesson all round.” OFFICE PARKING The Winking Owl have tightened up their parking policy and no longer allow the public to use their car park. We have never been allowed to use Alan Munro’s car park. So when visiting us in the office you will need to find an alternative place to park.

BURNS SUPPER

Thursday 26 January 2017 6.30pm for 7pm Aviemore Legion Tickets £12 Available from BSCTC Office & Aviemore Legion From 9 January 2017

Traditional Supper, Entertainment, Raffle

Tel: 01479 810004 for more details

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK IN 2016. MAY WE WISH YOU A HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A PEACEFUL NEW YEAR

FESTIVE OFFICE CLOSURE The BSCTC office will close on Friday 23rd December just after lunchtime and re-open ot 9pm on Wednesday 4th January

QUIZ WINNER Irene Farquar from Dalraddy was the first correct answer pulled out the hat for the autumn quiz. She receives a little prize for her efforts. This time around you will find a Christmas themed quiz emailed out to all volunteers. REMEMBER TO USE www.easyfundraising.org.uk before making any internet purchases so that the Transport Company benefits. The deadline for contributions for the next newsletter is Friday 3rd March. CONTACT DETAILS: Maggie Lawson MBE - Community Transport Development Manager Kirsty Riach - Car Scheme Co-ordinator - Newsletter Editor Roslyn Munro - Social Development and Recruitment Officer Dorothy McIntosh - Office Manager Helen Morris - Friendship Project Co-ordinator Billy Boyle - CTV Driver Keith Hunter - Bus Driver Badenoch & Strathspey CommunityTransport Company 2 Inverewe, Aviemore, Inverness-shire, PH22 1RH Email: Phone: Website: Facebook:

[email protected] 01479 810004 www.ct4u.co.uk www.facebook.com/BSCTC

OFFICE ACCESS: Please note when visiting us, you can park in the Winking Owl Car Park for only 15 mins.