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Thursday, 12 May 2022

Todays update

 Coming into the Writers hub recently I was on the number 2 bus to Inverness centre.

There is a wonderful feeling when you see the traffic building up and the bus has a separate route and sometimes lane, to move through the early morning to its destination. That sense of skipping the queue or getting, even  taking an advantage point is worthy of a smile.

It is a light dream I had that morning as we travelled north down a road I barely know. My sense of being was still in Perth and I am now in Inverness and have been for some time. The hub , as in Writers Hub has been functioning for some months and is a good base for budding writers. I quickly say it is not a critique forum but simply a place that other writers meet to work independently in the same environment. This helps in discipline.

I have taken time to reflect on some things now that we are in our house and getting established. We had made links with people as soon as we arrived in Inverness. The 8 months in rented accommodation seems quick and a memory, now as we move into a new chapter of life.


 

Opportunities to play bass in Worship circles grows and with gardening and routine tasks the weeks are flying in.

Family history has had a back shelf for almost 12 months, and I have a lot of catching up to do with many in that circle...

Chatty Chappies! on facebook is growing and its fun to chat with Andy about the various topics we dig up. The run on the Butteries was interesting especially when my grandfather was a baker in Aberdeen.

I can imagine the seafarer who went to his baker complaining about the lack of bread on sea trips and the poor biscuits that were a substitute for stale bread. What creativeness to ask the baker to come up with something appropriate for long journeys that would last longer than bread. Then we have the teamwork as the baker goes next door to chat with the butcher on how to have longevity in baking. So back in 1880 the baker tries to make a new product with the addition of lard as a preservative.

Having experimented with dough he comes up with what locals called a Rowy.( because there is a lot of turning in the process) Our seafarer is delighted with the new product and the rest is history they say!

Then in 1917 fresh bread was banned as it was seen as unfair that some could get fresh bread and others could not.  During the war the buttery was a staple breakfast with porridge and tea. A good way to gain energy for the day ahead. With its ban ( it was seen as a bread) the people revolted. Unions were involved food control was in place and there was such a fuss that “Home rule for Scotland “ was muted over the banning of the buttery. 22 September 1917 saw the last buttery baking.

The fresh bread ban was rescinded in 1919 not before two bakers were fined for selling butteries.

Today the buttery is on shelves far from the Aberdeen and Buchan coast in bakeries and supermarkets. There are varying qualities of buttery around, but it would seem from small research the independent Bakers are the best.

Contact

Writers Hub  writershubinverness@gmail.com

Chatty Chappies! .www.facebook.com/groups/495660008588250/

Family history   www.familyhistory.blogspot.com

Reason People do not join in worship singing

Tuesday, 10 May 2022

Why Worship is not working well today?

Having been out on the road with some mates I was encouraged by the link I found via John Greenshields to Kenny Lamm and his 9 reasons people dont join in worship singing.

 I am no old boy with a few years experinece in the front and at the back of corporate worship and I do see some common recognition to the things Kenny has said in Church leaders website. My thanks to him. 

They dont know the songs

Songs not suitable for that gathering

Wrong key for gathering ( Too high?) (or even shy men)

Potential singers cannot hear those around them

Worship singing seen as a performance spectator event

Congregation feel they are not expected to sing

Book of songs to fluid song list issues

Leaders of worship ad lib too much

Worship leaders not connected to congregation 

As I am involved in worship i take recognition of these comments. I hope others do too! 

However . I am encouraged in the Highlands of Scotland, people are, taking recognition to music worship some refreshing their approach others discovering for the first time a wealth of song to use.

Chatty Chappies!

The facebook group Chatty Chappies has a new programme out this week. We have a few more in the can. Drop in and listen to the crack! Friday 13 May. Chatty Chappies! ( Group)on Facebook

Friday, 29 April 2022

Writers hub- Inverness

I have been working on some history work on the Quakers in Aberdeenshire and discovered they had a really bad time from the authorities because they did not conform with the ways of the day even when they were not helping them get closer to God. It's a shame that so many rules and regulations are put in place for control which can hinder the work of the Spirit. I worked in a control environment and I see the need for them in situations but the Church and Christianity seems to want to hold everything to their liking rather than ask God to work. As Church general we are not learning! Is it man making sure he is in control? taking on the role of God? Is it simply learning from the past that some controls are required...? I had two meeting this week which touched on Revival... Is it coming soon?

Band Risen Media Highlands

Looking at music for this sunday at Helmsdale with Brian Skinner and John A Wilson.
Recent recording for easter.

Chatty Chappies!

The facebook group Chatty Chappies! is really taking off. Strange that its the "butteries" that has prompted a move forward. Recent programme ( number 4) we talked about butteries an Aberdeen roll locally known as a rowy. There was also a chat about parking in Dingwall. Programme 4 Chatty Chappies! Two more programmes to follow and we hope to record again this coming week.

Thursday, 21 April 2022

Chatty Chappies!

We are gathering momentum under Chatty Chappies! a podcast type programme where Andy and Brian chat about all different things. Recent topics are Haldane brothers, new changes to highway code, Butteries and who knows what else. Chatty Chappies! is a group in face book please join share like and listen. Chatty Chappies!

Band

So here we are after a few months of chatting and getting together we are established as a collective for Music Worship and Praise in the Highlands. here is a core group of 4/5 with the potential of adding more for various projects. Dertails of name and contacts will be out soon.

Risen 2022

Delighted with the success of the Easter 2022 on u tube sent out live last Sunday night. As the band with a name change gets set up we are delighted with Risen Media Highlands who have instigated this project for the Highlands. You can see the u tube here .

Tuesday, 15 February 2022

On the road !

It has been a busy time preparing for a little tour of the Highlands mostly, with John Wilson Brian Skinner and Jimmy Gunn.We have several dates over the next few weeks.