Moray communities suspend events as preventative measure

A NUMBER of communities across Moray have taken the decision to cancel or postpone events as a precautionary measure to help quash the spread of Coronavirus.

Organisers have thanked the public for their understanding and are hopeful new dates can be set when the situation improves.

MORAY-WIDE

• MARIE CURIE: It is with great sadness the decision has been taken to discontinue the Public Collections for this year’s Marie Curie in Moray Great Daffodil Appeal because of the current situation with COVID-19- the Coronavirus.
• WHISKY FESTIVAL: The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, due to get underway on April 29, has been cancelled as a preventative measure.
• CHURCH SEVRICES: The Church of Scotland and the The Scottish Episcopal Church have advised that all gatherings for worship should cease until further notice.
• LIBRARY ACTIVITIES: All library activities held in Moray Libraries are now cancelled until further notice. This includes reading groups, storytimes, Bookbug sessions, job clubs, code clubs, ICT courses, ICT help hubs, ECDL tuition etc.

ABERLOUR

• COFFEE MORNING CANCELLED: Aberlour Senior Citizens' Coffee and Buttery morning, scheduled to take place this Saturday, has been postponed until the coronavirus crisis has been resolved.
• LEG CLUB: Speyside Leg Club meetings have been cancelled until further notice. Please stay safe until meets can start up again.
• HALL CLOSURE: Aberlour Community Association has taken the decision to close the Fleming Hall until further notice. The public toilets, run by the association and situated in the old station building, are also closed.
• CHURCH SERVICES: These have been suspended in line with advice from the Church of Scotland.

ARCHIESTOWN

• CEILIDH CANCELLATION: In the interest of community health and safety it has been decided to cancel the Ceilidh to be held in the village hall on Saturday, March 21. All tickets which have been pre-purchased will be refunded in full. Organisers said: "Many thanks for your support and hopefully we'll have the ceilidh again in late summer."

BURGHEAD

• BURGHEAD AND CUMMINGSTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Burghead and Cummingston Community Council are preparing to help those ready to self-isolate amidst the coronavirus crisis. A statement read: "With the current information regarding Coronovirus (COVID-19) changing from day to day, the Community Council is preparing to help anyone who may be self-isolating to obtain basic foodstuffs and medicines. We would request that residents assist family and neighbours, but if anyone is in need of shopping, medicines or prescriptions, please send a message via the community council Facebook page, or ring Chris on 835537. If there is anything else that is required, please also let us know and we will see what we can do to help. Unfortunately we cannot magic up hand sanitiser! There is no need for panic buying."
• HERITAGE GROUP: The Burghead and Hopeman Heritage Group has announced their programme is suspended until further notice. All meetings and trips are cancelled. However, the group has decided to move all the outings and speakers between now and the beginning of September to next year. The first meeting of the 2020/2021 season will be on September 27 in the Burghead Community Hall at 7.15pm (health situation dependent) and the itinerary for 2021 will now be as follows – March 29: Tim Negus – Salmon Fishing and Bothies; April 6: Howie Firth – The Wonderful Gardens of Kinloss Abbey; May – AGM and When Mary Queen of Scots Stayed at Spynie Castle; June 20 – Summer Outing to Castle Garden Centre, Tay Bridge Memorial, Scott’s Ship and the V&A Museum, Dundee, with tea in Stonehaven; July 25 – Ballindalloch with a visit to Castle Gardens and Afternoon tea; August – Lossiemouth and a visit to the Lighthouse plus the new Fleet Air Arm Museum.
• BURGHEAD BALL GROUP: Members should note all Burghead Ball Group meetings are cancelled until further notice.
• BURGHEAD VISITOR CENTRE: Burghead Headland Trust has announced that, in line with current guidance regarding the coronavirus, the reopening of the visitor centre is delayed until further notice.
• CHURCH OF SCOTLAND GUILD: The final meeting of the session was due to take place on Tuesday, March 24, and would have included the AGM, but has been postponed for the foreseeable future.

CRAIGELLACHIE

• BOTTLE BINGO: Craigellachie Village Council has regrettably decided to postpone the Bottle Bingo which was scheduled for Friday. Organisers offered sincere apologies for inconvenience but said in current circumstances they feel it is best to postpone the bingo rather than expose supporters to any unnecessary risk of infection.
• WHISKY AUCTION: Craigellachie Village Council, following government advice concerning the Covid-19 crisis, has decided to postpone the annual whisky auction until further notice. The council apologises for disappointing prospective sellers and buyers and hope they will support the event when it is rescheduled, hopefully, later in the year.
• CHURCH SERVICES: These have been suspended in line with advice from the Church of Scotland.

DUFFUS

• BEETLE DRIVE: In view of recommendation to limit large gatherings, Duffus Hall has cancelled the Beetle Drive that was scheduled to take place this week. It is hoped this evening of family fun will be able to take place later in the year.
• DAFFODIL TEA: The Daffodil tea planned for Spynie Hall tomorrow has been cancelled.
• CHURCH NEWS: Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and public health advice, all worship and gatherings at Duffus, Spynie & Hopeman Church has been cancelled for the time being.
• SOUP AND SWEET: The community Soup & Sweet lunch in Spynie Hall due on Thursday, March 26 has been cancelled to help keep everyone safe and well.
• HIGHLAND GAMES: Gordonstoun Junior School's Junior Highland Games and Family Fun Day, due to take place on April 25, has been cancelled.

ELGIN

• CONCERT CANCELLATION: Cantare's concert, due to take place at Elgin Town Hall on Sunday as a celebration of Mother's Day, has been cancelled due to the current situation. Musical director Jane Ferguson said: "I have taken the decision to suspend rehearsals and concerts with both Cantare and Glen Moray Male Voice Choir at this difficult time."
• JAZZ CLUB: Moray Jazz Club, which usually meets at Elgin City Social Club every Thursday evening, has stopped its gatherings for the time being.
• ELGIN BOWLING CLUB: After a committee meeting on March 17, the decision was taken to cancel the opening of the Elgin Bowling Club green, which was scheduled for April 18. This is in line with government and Bowls Scotland guidelines. The club apologises for any inconvenience but says the health and safety of members is paramount. Any changes will be notified to all members.
• ELGIN LANDSHUT TWIN-TOWN: The committee meeting of the Elgin Landshut Twin-town Association partnered with Landshut in South Bavaria scheduled for March 24 is cancelled. Anyone in Elgin or surrounds who wish to participate in attending twinning events, or to support as hosts for guests on visits, or to be involved in programmed events are welcome to contact Eileen on 01309 676633.
• SMART DRIVING COURSE: The IAM car driving and motorcycle riding skills training course in Elgin Library, and associated drives, have been suspended due to the risk of Coronavirus. The course modules programmed for all associates and Moray Group Observers stopped on Thursday, March 19, and will cease for all observed drives with immediate effect. The Moray Group of qualified volunteer observers are thanked for their generous help for time and guidance to promote driving/biking skills. The group will be informed by the Institute of Advanced Motorists when the course can resume.
• MUSEUM: Elgin Museum was due to open for the season on March 28, however, that has been postponed.
• CAB: The Moray headquarters for the Citizens Advice Bureau has closed its doors as a preventative measure, which outreach services also supended. However, clients can access the telephone service using the following numbers: (01343) 550088 / 559001 / 559004 / 559002 from Monday to Friday from 10am to 2pm.

FINDHORN

• UNIVERSAL HALL : All public events (shows and films) in the Universal Hall are now cancelled to the end of April. The situation will be reviewed nearer the time for May.

FOCHABERS

• MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT: The meetings of Fochabers Mutual Improvement Association, including the AGM, are cancelled until the autumn, as a precaution against Coronavirus.
• HAT NIGHT: Fochabers Indoor Bowling Club Hat Night winners for Thursday were Bill Robertson, Richard Penny and George Duncan.

FORRES

• THEME DAY: Organisers have taken the difficult decision to cancel this year's Forres Theme Day and Forres Live.

HOPEMAN

• CANCELLATION: A number of events have been cancelled, including the Spynie Daffodil Tea on Saturday, the Spynie Soup and Sweet on March 26, the Floral Daffodil Tea Craft Day on April 4, Senior Citizens meetings, as well as the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides. The floral committee were to meet tomorrow and on Wednesday, but both these meetings have been cancelled.
• COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: The next meeting is Thursday, March 26 in the Memorial Hall at 7pm. This meeting is still taking place at the moment, but keep an eye out for local updates.

INCHBERRY

• LINE DANCE CANCELLED: Apologies but COVID-19 risk advice has led to concerns for the safety of those who wished to attend this Friday's meeting and the event has been cancelled. Inchberry & District Community Association (IDCA) regret any inconvenience for the loss of the line dancing evening.
• CANCELLED BOOTS: Inchberry & District Community Association (IDCA) regret that the first car boot sale this year at Inchberry on Sunday, March 29, has been cancelled due to the health impact of large crowds. Thanks and regrets go to the many patrons, volunteer committee members, Cranloch SWI, Explorer Scouts and colleagues for their essential commitment and help at these events. See revised event details at "Inchberry" on www.WhereCanWeGo.com for further event news and updates.
• DUMB DUMPERS: The B9103 and B9015 are becoming blighted by some carriageway abusers who, following recent reduced bin collection arrangements, are tipping food and drink containers and trash from vehicles which is contaminating our road verges and forest lay-bys. More rubbish bags and food trash has been deliberately dumped or thrown from moving and stationery vehicles. Quiet lay-bys along by Teindland Forest and Balnacoul Wood entrances at forests and woodlands are places where disrespectful dumpers continually tip their waste. Local residents resent clearing up and seeing the roadside pollution caused by dumb dumpers of plastic bottles, fast food packaging, but also bin bags of household rubbish and traders shedding loads of debris and shrubbery. Inchberry and District Community Association (IDCA) endeavour to keep the area tidy. All are asked to report any number plate sightings of dumping to 01343 557045 or email: waste@moray.gov.uk. You can also call Dumb Dumpers Stop Line on 0845 2 30 40 90.

KEITH

• RAILWAY: The planned opening of the Keith to Dufftown Railway has been postponed for now.
• KEITH LOFT YOUTH PROJECT: Due to the ongoing and developing situation regarding Covid-19 (Coronavirus), we have regrettably taken the decision to cancel all of our groups and activities at the Loft until further notice. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause in the short term. We haven’t taken this decision lightly and are acting on the advice from the Government to limit unnecessary social contact. We are looking at how we can continue to support and engage with our young people through social media. Any queries, please email sharon@lypkeith.org.uk or contact us via our social media platforms.

KNOCKANDO

• TEA AND COMPETITIONS: Knockando Playgroup raised £507 in aid of funds at the Tea and Competitions held in Archiestown Hall last Saturday evening. The organisers thank everyone who helped in any way to make the event such a success.
• WINTER WARMER AND HEAVENLY PIECES : The last Winter Warmer due to be held at Knockando Kirk on Wednesday, March 25 has been cancelled and the Heavenly Pieces start date has been postponed until the health safety precautions are withdrawn.

LOSSIEMOUTH

• SOUP AND SWEET: Due to the ongoing health situation, it has been decided to cancel the Lossiemouth Friends of Guiding Soup and Sweet, due to be held on Saturday, March 21. The group hopes to reschedule later in the year and looks forward to welcoming all along then.
• Lossiemouth FC Bingo will be cancelled this Thursday. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
• The Little Acorns Adult/Toddler Group that meets at the Baptist Church in Lossie on Fridays has been cancelled until further notice.
• The St Gerardine's Friendship Group is now cancelled until September.
• The 70s and 80s Night, due to take place in Lossiemouth Town Hall on March 28 has been postponed.

SPEYBAY

• DOLPHIN CENTRE: The WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre is currently closed. Staff are monitoring the situation as the situation develops, based on the advice and guidance from the Scottish government and relevant advisory bodies.

RAMBLING

• MORAY RAMBLERS: Due to the recent UK Government announcement regarding COVID-19 and the restriction of social interaction, the committee has decided to adhere to advice and both short and main walk programmes have been suspended until further notice. We will continue to monitor the situation and hopefully resume walking as soon as we can. Our weekend away in May is also in jeopardy. For more information contact John Worthington, secretary, on 01343 850604, email secretary@morayramblers.org.uk.

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