The Loop - Once again this year the Gairloch Church of Scotland congregation is running the sponsored cycle ride - The Loop Cycle Challenge - to support the work of the ACTS Trust and the Csemete Foundation.
Both charities have been working to transform the lives of children and young people in Romania for over ten years.
So far, the local event has raised over £48,000 towards these charities.
This year's event, on September 10, will be the sixth riding of the challenge. Each year more people are entering and enjoying the atmosphere of the event, perhaps because team/relay participation is encouraged in both the full loop from Gairloch (start and finish) by way of Braemore Junction, Garve and Achnasheen (109 miles) and a shorter route from Gairloch to Kinlochewe and back (40 miles).
The organisers invite anyone who might be interested in taking part to visit their website www.theloopcyclechallenge.co.uk where more information can be found together with contact details and application forms. Some comments from recent participants: 1 - "This was my first participation in the Loop Challenge and although a regular cyclist I am not used to big mileage so I was nervous. The fact that I made it round without disgracing myself left a sense of achievement matched in magnitude only by the stiffness of my legs the next day." 2 - "We all had a really great day out and in fact we might think of doing the 109 miles next year as part of a relay team.
"If anyone thinks they might be up for the challenge do get in touch with the organisers to help a very needy and worthwhile cause in Eastern Europe. If 109 miles does not appeal, I would recommend the 40 miles. I did very little training and managed to get there and back and more to the point - enjoyed it."
The encouragement, aims and food are all highly recommended by previous participants.
The Show - One of the biggest events in the Wester Ross calendar, the Gairloch and District Show, takes place a week tomorrow, Saturday, August 27, in Gairloch Community Hall.
There are sections for the following produce: vegetables, salad, garden top tray, fruit, flowers-pot plants, cut flowers, flower arranging, baking, yeast baking, eggs and honey and beverages etc., preserves, arts and crafts, 3 categories for children's entries. Copies of the full schedule are available in the centre of the Gairloch and District Times - issue dated August 12 - or from the GALE Office at Gairloch Tourist Information Centre. The set recipe in the baking section this year is a Honey Fruit cake.
The recipe can be found in the same section of the G & D Times. For those who won trophies last year, there is a special request that the trophies be polished up and returned to the GALE Office in good time for this year's Show.
Gaelic Success - Every year the Gaelic Department of Gairloch High School enters pupils into the speaking competition organised by Comunn Gaidhlig Lunnainn (London Gaelic Society). This is a popular competition, with pupils from all over Scotland taking part.
This year there were three prize-winners from the High School. Anna Hulme won the senior fluent competition, with Kirsty Alexander receiving a merit.
James Staddon won the senior learners' competition. Each pupil received a cash prize.
And in the Gaelic Learners' Writing Competition, the High School S2 class entered a national writing competition in May and the good news was that Sofie Banister won second prize and a £30 gift-card.
Congratulations to all those pupils; nach math a rinn sibh!
Museum Demonstrations - On Thursday, August 25, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, Gairloch Heritage Museum will be holding traditional craft demonstrations.
Visitors will be shown how to card and spin wool, try their hands at butter-churning and rolling butter balls, learn how to tie fishing nets, or grind their own corn. The evening will be accompanied by live music. Admission: £4 for adults, but free for children, museum members, and museum visitors from the same day.
Come and join us - The Churches who are part of the Gairloch and District Outreach (GDO) extend an invitation to "Come and join us" for an Evening with Alastair McDonald which will be held in Gairloch Church of Scotland on Friday, August 26 at 7.30pm. Payment on entry: adults £5, concessions £3, including light refreshments.
GWC in Kintail - Even if you cannot take part in the Great Wilderness Challenge (tomorrow, Saturday) which this year takes place in Kintail, why not take a trip to that beautiful part of Ross-shire to welcome and support all the runners and walkers?
In 2010, the event raised £206,000, which brings the overall GWC total to over £2.5 million - and all of this has been given to support very worthy causes.
The organisers report: "This year the Challenge moves down to Kintail for one year. This exciting new venue, among the most spectacular mountain areas in Scotland, will provide our challengers with breathtaking routes amid fantastic scenery to rival even the Great Wilderness itself. Already many have booked their accommodation and all - participants, marshals and organisers - are looking forward to meeting up again in Morvich on Saturday, August 20 for the 26th Great Wilderness Challenge." Hopefully, a great day will be had by all!
