SYSTEM©Willie Shand takes in the scenery and history of beautiful Badenoch, in the February 11, 2023 issue of “The People’s Friend”.
Although Kingussie, the capital of Badenoch, sits close to the A9, passing motorists might never notice it as, close by, on the south side of the River Spey, the eye is irresistably drawn to the ruin of Ruthven Barracks.
Join Willie as he shares tales of castles long gone and retraces the footsteps of the likes of Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Table Tennis Health Helper
Photograph courtesy of Parkinson’s UK.
At the of just thirty-eight, Leona Braund was given a medical diagnosis many would have found shattering.
Leona discovered she had early onset Parkinson’s and in 10 years’ time would be in a wheelchair.
It must have seemed even more devastating as Leona was a PE teacher whose life had always been about health and fitness.
A decade on, Leona has defied all the odds and, remarkably, says she feels even better than she did before – thanks to table tennis. She is now ensuring others can find similar benefits through a new table tennis association she helped set up.
Bill Gibb learns more about how she’s helping others.
Wonderful Wombles
Photograph by Shutterstock.
Douglas McPherson can remember begging his parents to take him to the borough show on their local recreation ground. He was hoping to catch a glimpse of The Wombles. Such was the power of Womblemania in the 1970s.
There were Wombles annuals, a Wombles board game and Wombles chocolate bars, plus furry toys, badges, keyrings and ornaments.
The furry eco-warriors had their own children’s programme, screened just before the early evening news, in which they championed recycling before the concept was commonplace.
They also appeared regularly on “Top Of The Pops”, prancing around to a string of hits including “Minuetto Allegretto”, “Superwomble” and “Wombling Merry Christmas”.
The Wombles were created by Elizabeth Beresford. In the magazine, Douglas celebrates 50 years of her cuddly characters.
Knitwear Exhibition
Photograph courtesy of the Fashion and Textile Museum.
Fashions change all the time, but knitting has long played a major role in what we wear.
A new exhibition celebrates the pivotal place knitwear’s had in our lives over the last 100 years.
It’s doing so by showcasing the global icons whose stylish influences changed the way the world dressed, as well as shining a light on contemporary knitwear designers in the UK today.
“KNITWEAR: Chanel to Westwood” presents over 150 pieces put together from a private collection.
Find out more in the magazine about how the exhibition is charting key fashion items through the decades.
Elsewhere, we have a collection of tasty recipes made using honey, and a crochet pattern to make a cosy ribbed sweater.
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