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island news
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Drs Macleod Memorial Unveiled
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island news Edition 20
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& ADVERTISER
NEW TWIST IN COMMUNITY PHARMACY ROW Andrew Walker.
Lay member sacked days before hearing made public the fact that he had accepted their invitation to be a lay member. On learning at a public consultation in Balivanich that lay members were not supposed to declare themselves, he issued a press statement stating his belief ‘in the principle of openness and transparency in the conduct and proceedings of all key stakeholders’ in the process, adding ‘I am not in favour of un-elected ‘faceless’ bureaucrats making key decision behind closed doors without public accountability.’ NHS WI told Mr Walker in his dismissal letter of October 23 that they had sought legal advice regarding the implications of his statement for any decision taken by PPC. The letter cited bias or perception of bias as a potential reason for a Judicial Review of the hearing, something which would lead to ‘unnecessary delay and expense.’ The letter went on: ‘Your statement indicates that there are aspects of the process ,I \RXÂśUH LQWHUHVWHG LQ KHOSLQJ \RXU FRPPXQLW\ with which you do not agree and which you are prepared JHW EHWWHU SUHSDUHG IRU HPHUJHQFLHV H J VHYHUH to disregard. The advice ZHDWKHU SRZHU IDLOXUH IORRGLQJ HWF given to the Board is that this &RPH DORQJ WR D &RPPXQLW\ 5HVLOLHQFH 0HHWLQJ alone creates a risk of ,Q WKH challenge by Judicial Review.’ %HQEHFXOD &RPPXQLW\ +DOO %DOLYDQLFK Mr Walker’s sacking also RQ follows a number of issues he had raised with the NHS :HGQHVGD\ WK 1RYHPEHU DW SP WI over the controversial 7R ILQG RXW KRZ WR PDNH \RXUVHOI \RXU IDPLO\ application. DQG \RXU FRPPXQLW\ PRUH UHVLOLHQW Mr Walker wrote to ask if the application was legally .H\ 6SHDNHUV competent after the applicant, x 5HVSRQGHU $JHQFLHV Local Pharmacies, extended x &1(6 (PHUJHQF\ 3ODQQLQJ the scope of their proposed $OO &RPPXQLW\ JURXSV UHSUHVHQWDWLYHV LQWHUHVWHG services to include North UHVLGHQWV DUH LQYLWHG WR DWWHQG Uist, contrary to their UHDG\VFRWODQG RUJ previous advert in which only Benbecula was mentioned.
Andrew Walker, 67, of Kyles Flodda, Benbecula was told by letter from NHS Western Isles chairman Neil Galbraith that he had been dropped from the panel to decide the outcome of the application for a dispensing pharmacy serving North Uist and Benbecula. Mr Walker, a community councillor and retired social worker, was one of three lay members invited in August to attend a hearing of the application by the Pharmacy Practices Committee (PPC)due to take place this month. Mr Walker ruffled feathers at NHS WI when he
+RZ \RX FDQ KHOS \RXU &RPPXQLW\ 3ODQ IRU (PHUJHQFLHV
He also questioned the part of the legal criteria for determining the application. Mr Walker said: “The PPC is not allowed to take into consideration the effect that the pharmacy may have on the dispensing doctors, and that was what was causing most concern among the community. I suggested these concerns seemed very real and difficult to ignore.� Speaking after his dismissal, Mr Walker told Island News that having attended both public consultation meetings and witnessed the strength of feeling in the community against the pharmacy, he failed to see how anyone involved in the process could be anything other than biased against the application. He added: “Are the NHS legal advisors mind readers? I have made no public announcements since the press statement, which contains no element of bias one way or the other but is critical certainly of the process I had become embroiled in. While I wish to show respect for the judgement of the NHS Board, I question their wisdom.� (The statement can be seen at islandnews andadvertiser.co.uk/community-pharmacy-proposal -statement-by-lay-member-andrew-walker/) Mr Walker said he now intends to submit a formal complaint about his treatment as a lay member to the board. Meanwhile an NHS WI spokeswoman said: “The [legal] advice given to NHS Western Isles was that any perceived bias by a member of the Pharmacy Practices Committee could create risk of challenge by Judicial Review. “Any such challenge would undoubtedly lead to a great deal of unnecessary delay in the process and additional expense. “In order to minimise the possibility that the committee’s decision would be challenged, NHS Western Isles took the decision to replace one of the lay members on the committee with another lay representative.� She added: “The hearing will be held in November and the decision announced on the Board’s website.�
Seaweed Required We require a supply of freshly cut knotted wrack (ascophyllum nodosum) for our new seaweed processing factory based on North Uist. If you wish to be involved in cutting seaweed please register your interest with us whether you wish to start immediately or in the future. Training will be offered. We hold some tools and equipment in stock. Phone 01876 500267 Email info@uistasco.com Visit the factory at Crogaire Quarry
THE FREE MONTHLY NEWSPAPER OF THE HEBRIDES
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island news & ADVERTISER - November 2013 Issue 20
The next edition of island news & ADVERTISER
is a joint one for December and JANUARY, and will appear on December 6 Ad and copy deadline: November 27
& ADVERTISER
is the FREE MONTHLY NEWSPAPER of the
Scottish Islands Island News & Advertiser
Room 7, East Camp, Balivanich, Isle of Benbecula, HS7 5LA
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01870 602151 editor@islandnews andadvertiser.com
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Tim Mason Managing Editor
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Express your view in 400 words: editor@islandnewsandadvertiser.com IN&A does not take responsibility for the views expressed or facts mentioned in readers’ letters
MacMillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning at Carinish Hall On behalf of the North Uist Committee I would like to thank you all for your support and contribution towards the coffee morning on Saturday October 5. The total raised was £602.00. Your support is greatly appreciated. Once again thank you very much. Mairead MacNab, Secretary, North Uist Committee
INBRIEF
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island news
Appeal for photos of Sponish seaweed factory I am planning on putting together an album with photos from Sponish, North Uist in the years the seaweed was processed there. I am appealing for people to let me have copies of pictures from the factory and also of the cutters or any operations involved with the factory. If you have pictures around we would ask if
aries for H&I writers International travel bursThrough the scheme, Emergents aims to support
A new bursary scheme has been announced for writers living in the Highlands and Islands. Emergents is offering writers the chance to apply for bursaries of up to £500 towards travel costs to support the promotion and marketing of their work.
writers to increase international promotion, the awareness and knowledge of their work; to find new markets and networks for their work, and to increase international awareness of the region’s contemporary writing and literary culture.
Nicola McKenzie
You can nominate your batonbearer up to Nov ember 22 at www.glasgow2014.com.
Community Land Scotland Photography Competition noopw en Open to all, the winning member area, capturing the photographs will be used on the Community Land Scotland 2015 calendar. The top prize is a day with top nature photographer Mark Hamblin. Images must be taken of or within a Community Land Scotland
scenery, people or projects that make it special. Children and young people are particularly encouraged to enter. Judging is by Cailean Maclean. Visit communityland scotland.org.uk for eligible areas and more details.
lied Western Isles Health Board has app the for planning permission to convert to Doctor’s House in West Tarbert, Harris tal den es, offic s, erie incorporate GP surg surgeries and storage, and to make alterations to the existing surgery.
www.HOME-2-HOME.co.uk
Association’s Between Tides is the title of Uist Art r. annual open selling exhibition this yea Lochmaddy It is running in Taigh Chearsabhagh, eries 1 Gall from November 9 to December 31, in and 2 and the Café.
www.islandnewsandadvertiser.co.uk
Tiree to Stornoway; ALSO Oban, Inverness Glasgow and Edinburgh
Harris Doctor’s House alterations
Closing date November 30 at 5pm.
UAA Annual Exhibition
VISIT
In 65 outlets from
Author events are also key part of the promotion and marketing activity of professional writers and, on occasion, writers might also need to travel to secure new contracts for their work. Full details of the bursary scheme are available at: http://emergents.co.uk/writing/ international-travel-bursaries-for-writers/
The Queen’s Baton Relay for the Com monwealth Games 2014 finally reac hes the Scottish islands in July next yea r, starting with the Shetland on Tue sda y July 1, the Western Isles on Tuesday July 8 and the Orkney on Thursday July 10. Anyone can nominate their own local cham pion to be a batonbearer. Batonbearers need to be over 12, and to be a sporting or community role model, displaying a level of individual achievem ent against the odds and making a sign ificant contribution to their local community.
IN&A’s new website for more local news daily
AVAILABLE
Shona Mary MacKinnon
QUEEN’S BATON RELAY ISLAND DA TES
Susy Macaulay Business Manager
you would kindly drop them into Taigh Chearsabhagh with your name and address so we can copy them and return them to you or alternatively email them to me on sponish.seaweed@hotmail.co.uk or call Taigh Chearsabhagh and they will pass a message on.
Taigh Chearsabhagh winter opening hours
Taigh Chearsabhagh is now closed on Sundays and Mondays and public holidays. The centre opens Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10am to 4.00pm. The Post Office opens Tuesday to
Friday, 10am to 4pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm. The Café is open 11am to 2.30pm, with hot food until 2pm and teas, coffees and snacks between 2 and 2.30pm.
Are you worried about your weight? If you are, Cambridge Weight Plan could be the answer. Together with your Consultant, you will work out a plan that suits your lifestyle – helping you achieve your goals. Why not make a positive decision to change your life and contact me today. Your Independent Cambridge Consultant:
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®
November 2013 Issue 20 - island news & ADVERTISER
Isles group to contribute to dogfish and squid fisheries research
North Uist turbines sailing close to the wind
Fishing businesses from Barra and Stornoway have been awarded funding to tackle the problem of dogfish catch and discard.
Councillors must make a decision this month about planning consent for two community turbines proposed for North Uist or the project could become unviable.
Donald Joseph Maclean of Barra Atlantic and Ronnie Scott of Islander Shellfish approached local councillor Donald Manford with concerns over a situation which obliges them to discard accidentally caught dogfish because the EU thinks the stocks are low. The group has been joined by Dr Clive Fox of the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS). The Dogfish Research project, funded to the tune of ÂŁ50,000 by the Scottish Government,
Malky in the famous Hoops.
will pay fishermen to log the dogfish they catch, alive or dead, before discarding them. The fishermen will be allowed to land a specific number of dogfish for scientific research at SAMS. Mr Manford said the idea is to
collate information on local dogfish stocks, to develop techniques to avoid the accidental netting of the fish and to be permitted to land unavoidably caught fish. He said: “The EU ban on taking dogfish is on the basis of insufficient science. We
need to contribute to that knowledge and science. We find ourselves in complete agreement with the EU when it says it wants sustainable seas, managed and nurtured to give healthy stock in all species. We also agree with them that they want no discards of edible fish.� Trials have also been agreed to look at establishing a squid fishery in the Minch, and assess its environmental impact and sustainability. The nets required to fish squid can also catch young cod and hake, and the fishery is a cod recovery zone. Mr Manford said: “They are fishing squid successfully in the Moray Firth which is also a cod recovery zone, so we want to progress methods that are legally compatible with catching squid here.�
South Uist football great remembered in new book
The story of Celtic player Malcolm ‘Malky’ MacDonald is recounted in a new English/Gaelic book by Alex O’Henley, who writes: ‘From humble roots in South Uist this is the story of a man who would go on to become a key member of the famous Celtic side Crofting Law Specialist that won the prestigious Empire Available for home visits in Uist Exhibition Trophy in 1938. An all-rounder who played in every David Findlay, one of only four accredited specialists in crofting law in Scotland, will be outfield position bar goalkeeper at available to meet existing and new clients senior level, Malcom was a purist’s for home visits in North Uist, Benbecula, footballer and is one of few Celtic South Uist and Eriskay on 28 November 2013 players to have scored a hat-trick and 29 November 2013. against Rangers. As a manager the To book an appointment, please contact way in which he rebuilt Fiona Cameron on 01463 239393. Kilmarnock from the ashes of the Second World War to reach the semi-finals of the 1967 UEFA Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in two spells at Rugby Park earned him the sobriquet of the ‘Scottish Matt Busby’ while his name will also be associated with Brentford where he spent eight years in
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charge, as well as serving as caretaker Scotland manager in 1966‌. Though born and brought up in Glasgow, Malcolm MacDonald was very much of South Uist extraction. His father Donald, Domhnall Chalum Mhic Iain Òig – came from Locheynort, while his mother came from the village of South Boisdale at the southern end of the island.’
That is the message from North Uist Development Company (NUDC) to the Comhairle after it failed to make a decision about their application at two meetings so far this year. The MoD has objected to the NUDC project as part of its almost total ban on turbines in Uist. NUDC chairman Robert Fraser said the council appeared to be running scared of the MoD. He said: “We have pushed for an extra meeting to try and resolve this but rather than make a decision the council told us to appeal to the Scottish Government. This will simply stall the process further. The councillors must support the community of North Uist by approving this important development when they meet on the 19th of November. “We have to get our Feed In Tariff application in to Ofgem by the end of this year because this tariff which is a major element of the income over the next 20 years is likely to go down by 20%, meaning 50% less income to the community. The anticipated profit from the turbines will more than halved, and the banks might no longer be prepared to fund the project.� Cllr Uisdean Robertson said: “The MoD wants to ban turbines off the west coast of Uist too. Yes Rangehead is important, but we can’t allow the MoD to stop economic activity here.� Cllr Neil Beaton said: “ It’s getting to the point where the economic contribution made by the MoD is outweighed by the loss to the islands of wind energy revenue. There is a case for demanding compensation from them if they stop development.�
Forgotten Star by Alex O’Henley is published by The Islands Book Trust RRP £25.
Rescheduled LCC Diamond Celebration Concert and Official Opening of the Creagorry Music Hub Featuring Music students With Special Guests: Kris Drever and Mairead Green Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band
Isle of Benbecula Hotel Wednesday 4th December 2013 8pm Entrance Free Complimentary Wine Concert: 8pm Followed by lounge bar session
Pre-concert curries served 6.30 - 7.30pm in Lounge bar
ERISKAY COMMUNITY SHOP
Come and see for yourself We are proud to say that we support many local craft producers that supply us with: l
Fancy Jewellery
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Knitted socks and hats
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Harris tweed bags Wallets and much more
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Local scenery cards Calenders
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Christmas cakes
We have a range of perfumes, toys, lovely Christmas gifts and decorations
Tel: 01878 720236 Email: eriskayshop@hebrides.net
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island news & ADVERTISER - November 2013 Issue 20
Benbecula childhood memoir translated into Japanese
North Uist Highland Gathering
The pages of Carinish author Flora MacDonald’s memoir Cocoa and Crabs flew from the fringe of the outer Hebrides to the fringe of Eastern Asia.
AGM
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Tuesday November 19, 8pm
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Taigh Sgire Sholais
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NEW MEMBERS WELCOME
Caraidean Uibhist (Uist Befriending)
The story of her Benbecula childhood was published in Tokyo on October 1 by Kindaungeisha Co Ltd. It was translated by a Japanese artist who lives in Switzerland. She stayed for one night at Flora’s B&B in Carinish, North Uist, bought the book and was inspired to translate and illustrate it. Her pastel drawings tell the story of Benbecula in the 1940’s. There are evocative images of Duncan MacRae and his four pupils at the school, Flora’s
Flora MacDonald.
mother watching for Feargus Mor coming back from fishing, Flora and her father collecting the seagulls eggs on Wiay, Mairi Rosinish’s wedding, children discovering war time gas masks, Flora warming the baby clothes by the fire for baby brother Norman and many more. There are maps of the area in Japanese so Flora hopes this will bring Japanese visitors to Uist and the scenes of her childhood. Cocoa and Crabs was published in 2010 by
The Islands Book Trust and has been a best seller. It is now on its 2nd print run. It won 3rd prize at the Tesco summer read at the Edinburgh Book Festival in 2011 falling between the two giants of Scottish literature Ian Banks and Ian Rankin. Flora was 1st woman, ahead of poet laureate Carol Duffy. “It was a triumph for Gaidhlig and for women,” Flora said.
Lochmaddy’s museum and arts centre has a new Board The new board members of Taigh Chearsabhagh, the museum and arts centre based in Lochmaddy have been announced. They are:
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Med Rodger (chair) Steve Dobbie (vice-chair) Mary Morrison John MacDonald Louise Cook Keith MacIntyre (Head of Arts, Northumbria Art College) Archie Maclean (deputy director of education, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig)
ADVISORS: Dòmhnall Angaidh MacLennan (commercial director Sabhal Mòr Ostaig) Douglas Hutton (architect) At the launch of UistFilm last month, Mrs Rodger welcomed a new era for the centre, and outlined some of the changes ahead. She said: “Andy [MacKinnon] moves across to UistFilm. We are building a partnership with Emma Nicholson from Atlas Arts in Skye who will be curating our arts programme over the next two years. “We’ve also appointed Gayle Meikle as our new assistant curator to work with Emma and Andy to deliver the arts programme. “Both Emma and Gayle bring a wealth of international and relevant experience to TC.” Meanwhile the centre’s new porch and internal refurbishments will be complete by November 12. The shop and PO have a new customer-friendly counter area, and better storage. The kitchen has been revamped to provide more prep space, and Gallery 2 is now a ‘white cube’ having been completely insulated and lined. A new boiler has also been installed.
The 2011 census
REVEALS… in the Outer Hebrides l
52% of the population aged 3 and over are able to speak Gaelic l 69.2% record their nationality as Scottish only l 42.5% state their religion as Church of Scotland l 48.9% are married l 57.6% report their health as very good
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Annual General Meeting
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Tuesday November 19, 2013
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10am
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23 Winfield Way, Balivanich
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All Welcome.
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Tel 01870 603233
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) l
Tuesday 12 November
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Wednesday 13 November
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Dark Island Hotel, Benbecula, 9.30 am – 4.30pm
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ASIST training is aimed at anyone who would like to be better equipped to prevent suicide or to support those who have been affected by suicide.
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Contact Kenna MacInnes 01870 602588 kenna.macinnes@nhs.net
November 2013 Issue 20 - island news & ADVERTISER
Townships tar machair track in North Uist
Tarring work gets underway in Balranald.
A 700m stretch of track to the most westerly headland in North Uist has been tarred thanks to a joint township collaboration. The track runs from Balranald Bird Reserve to the Ard an Runair headland. The spot is a favourite with birdwatchers and tourists, many of whom take vehicles down to the car park. Over the years the track had become difficult to repair and increasingly challenging to vehicles, which started to create parallel tracks damaging the machair. Three townships, Goular, Tigharry and Hougharry got together to solve the problem, and
Proposed Assignation of a Grazing Share(s) I, Philip Andrew Gilbert, am applying to the Crofting Commission for consent to assign the grazing share(s) pertaining to the croft at 27 Carnan Ard Way, Benbecula to Jack Garrow, 4 Sandport, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6PL. If you have an interest in this application, you may submit comments on the proposal in writing or some other permanent form to the Crofting Commission, Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, Inverness, IV3 8NW (e-mail info@crofting.scotland.gov.uk) within 28 days from the date of publication of the advert. Please note that any comments you provide are part of an open process and will be made available to interested parties. Your comments would also be released under a Freedom of Information enquiry.
were able to attract funding of £48,000 from Scottish Natural Heritage, The Scottish Government, Leader Innse Gall 2007-2013, RSPB and CnES.
Uist 2013 2013-2014
PRAC CTTICAL SKILLLS S CROFFTTING COURSES
x Croft Land Management: Satt 16 6 No ov vember
L to r: Anne MacLellan, John Allan MacLellan Goular grazings clerk, Jamie Boyle RSPB and Alasdair MacLellan Tigharry grazings clerk on the new road.
The tarmac stretch will help disabled and mobility-impaired visitors to reach the look-out point at Ard An Runair. Crofters will also benefit from easier access to the grazings. Hougharry grazings clerk Anne MacLellan said: “Tarring was the only solution to ensure year-round access. Ard An Runair is recognised as one of the best places in the UK for viewing migrating birds in spring and autumn. Allowing people of all abilities to see this spectacle will help extend the tourism season.” She said a sign asking people not to drive on the track had now been taken down. Work would start soon on seaweed spreading on the secondary tracks to help them to regenerate during the winter, she added. The townships hope that should further funding become available they will apply for Phase Two funding to complete the tarring of the track.
x Pig Husbandry: Sa at 30 Novemb e er x Sheep Husbandry: Sat 7 December
anu n arry 2014 x Drystone dyking: Ja g 2014 x Polytunnel Management: Sprriing x Grassland management: Sprriing g 2014 COST for all 6 courses: ά240, SCF members/concessions: ά216 COST per course: ά60. SCF members ά50 or ά120 if paid by employer
For further information please contact: Susy Macaulay Tel: 01870 602151 / 01876 510758 or email susymacaulay@gmail.com Please note priorr enrolment is essential Part funding is being made available through the SRDP Skills Development Scheme, which is jointly funded by the Scottish Government and the European Union
John Morrison - The Gift Shop Lochmaddy, North Uist
WIDE RANGE OF GIFTS FOR ALL OCCASIONS: Glassware
Candles
Stationery
Toiletries
Toys
Hardware
Picture Frames
and a large range of Homeware & Electrical Goods
Christmas
now in! STOCK
New opening hours for Nov & Dec: Mon 3pm - 6pm
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Tue 1pm - 5pm
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Wed 3pm - 6pm
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Thur 1pm - 5pm
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Fri 3pm - 8pm
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Sat 10am - 6pm
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Sun - CLOSED
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island news & ADVERTISER - November 2013 Issue 20
Steel and tweed combine in new craft enterprise
Double bill at Comann Na Mara annual lecture this month Tuesday November 26, 7.30pm, Lochmaddy Hall A top Scottish marine scientist and the leader of CnES will talk at this year’s CNM annual lecture. Comhairle leader Angus Campell will speak for the first time in public about CNES’ role and aspirations in the Our Islands Our Future initiative, whereby the three island authorities of Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland have started to work together to assume more powers over local decision-making. (see page 16).
Lesley at The Blacksmith’s Cushion.
Decorative forged metalwork and soft woollen cushions sit side by side in a diminutive shop in Aird, Benbecula.
The candlesticks and coat hooks, the cushions in Harris Tweed and Scalpay linen are the work of Simon and Lesley Enfield. The creative couple recently opened an outlet for their work, The Blacksmith’s Cushion, next to their home, Culla Croft, a stride or two away from Culla Bay.
Prof Colin Moffat is head of science at Marine Scotland and an honorary chemistry professor at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. The title of his talk is To splash, to wonder- our precious seas. During his career, Prof Moffat has conducted extensive studies into contaminants in fish, farm animals, food products and marine organisms at Torry Research Station in Aberdeen. Prof Colin Moffat.
He now increasingly takes advisory and assessment roles in the charting and monitoring of UK seas, and is keen to see the development of tools which make marine information more available and accessible to the public.
Simon hammers the red hot steel.
Simon has a 32 year career in blacksmithing behind him, and reckons his forge might be the first functioning one on Uist for some decades. Originally from Emsworth, West Sussex, he served his long apprenticeship locally and went on to work in various forges and in various settings, making parts for ships, farm machinery, gates,
During his visit to Uist, Prof Moffat will talk to pupils at Sgoil Lionacleit. CNM chairman Gus Macaulay said: “As ever all in the community are most welcome to what will be an extremely memorable and unique evening enhanced with music by local artists.�
House Plots A unique opportunity to purchase house plots with stunning views across Vallay Strand and to the hills of Harris.
railings, welding repairs, and working on various engineering projects. His new forge is in a barn in Aird where he heats and hammers lengths of black steel. He is creating a range of decorative items for the home, alongside commissioned work such as gates and railings. One of his aspirations is to teach his craft to local youngsters. Lesley’s work is altogether more delicate as she transforms lengths of Harris Lesley and Simon’s craft work at Culla Croft. Tweed into cushions, She has run her online business sometimes combining them with linen by Buchanan Cushions for eight years, Scalpay weaver Sheila Roderick. Lesley moved to Uist aged 12, and having been inspired by the decorative and attended Bayhead school and the Nicolson design potential of cushions while Institute, becoming well known for her working with an interior designer in skills in Highland dancing and singing Hampshire. She sells her work in outlets before moving off the island to marry and in Fife and Arran, and also in An Lanntair, Stornoway. have a family. She holds down other jobs, so The Blacksmith’s Cushion shop is only open at weekends, or by appointment, telephone 01870 603816.
To celebrate the opening of their shop, Lesley and Simon are passing 5% of the proceeds of their sales this month to local charity St Jeromes Childrens Home.
Simon works at his forge.
The
The 2011 census
Blacksmith’s Cushion
REVEALS‌ l
View from the plots
There are currently two 1/3 acre plots and an acre plot available off the main road overlooking Vallay Strand. They all have outline planning permission and
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Services Available â—?
Architectural Services â—? All Building Works â—?
Kit Plans Supplied / Designed
are not subject to crofting restrictions.
â—?
All Plumbing / Electrical Works
Both services (power and water) are close to
â—?
hand and easy to access. There is also land
â—?
Planning Applications All Joinery Works
â—?
Power and Water Connections
â—?
Dedicated Project Management
â—?
All Groundworks Scaled Payment Service
available to buy/rent for any purchaser interested in creating a small holding or larger garden. The sites have uninterrupted panoramic views over the Vallay Strand towards the Harris hills.
â—?
COMPLETE HOUSE BUILD For a One Stop Shop contact: Angus MacDonald Tel: 01876510293 / 07970218904 Project e: rthomp4521@btinternet.com
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The population of the Outer Hebrides is older than the rest of the country, with 51.5% over 45 compared with 44.3% in Scotland. There were more deaths than births here in the decade to 2011. If it had not been for 2,500 people coming into the islands there would have been a population decline, rather than growth of 4.5%. 73% of Outer Hebrides homes are owned, compared with 62% in Scotland, and 47% are owned outright. That’s almost double the rate in Scotland (28%).
New outlet for bespoke ironwork and Harris Tweed products
Gates, railings, handles, candlesticks etc by the only artisan blacksmith on the islands. All types of work undertaken
Harris Tweed cushions l Cards Parking at Culla Bay l Keyrings
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Culla Croft, Aird, Benbecula
Contact 01870 603816
for opening hours
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November 2013 Issue 20 - island news & ADVERTISER
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Engagement Johnson-Currie Cart, South Uist. Š School of Scottish Studies Archive, University of Edinburgh.
Crowdfunding used to support Tobar An Dualchais Fancy a private concert with Donnie Munro or Julie Fowlis, or commissioning your own pipe tune from Gary West? These treats are open to anyone with a spare ÂŁ1,000 upwards who might want to support the Tobar An Dualchais/Kist O Riches project. The project is turning to crowdfunding to continue its work of digitising and making available online the vast collection of Gaelic and Scots recordings and archives belonging to the School of Scottish Studies, Edinburgh University. Crowdfunding is growing in popularity as a way of raising funds for creative projects. Donors give money to the project through a special website and in return receive a reward. Tobar An Dualchais is looking for ÂŁ25,000 to commit a further 500 hours of recordings to their website, and have put together a range of rewards for donors of ÂŁ5 upwards. For ÂŁ5 you can become a Friend of the project. Also on offer for various sums are limited editions of EPs, MP3s by Julie Fowlis and Chris Wright; essays and wall calendars, a five-day course at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, lifetime membership of the Traditional Music
John Anderson, fiddler. Š School of Scottish Studies Archive, University of Edinburgh.
and Song Association of Scotland plus albums; a three night break on Skye; an exclusive house concert with Donnie Munro (ÂŁ1000), a private house concert with Julie Fowlis (ÂŁ2000) and a specially commissioned pipe tune by Gary West (ÂŁ3000) Tobar An Dualchais Scots language expert
Chris Wright is behind the crowdfunding campaign. He said: “Some 5,000 hours or 40% of the collection still need to be catalogued, digitised and put online, but funding ran out some time ago, so we’ve had to be creative in our thinking. “Crowdfunding is a serious player these days, particularly for artistic projects so we thought we would try it.â€? As IN&A went to print, the campaign had raised more than ÂŁ3000, all the Sabhal Mor short courses had been purchased and the Julie Fowlis house concert was on the point of being sold. There are almost two months left to run on the campaign. Mr Wright said: “We’ve kept the rewards within the ethos of supporting traditional culture in Scotland. It’s an ambitious target and we’re not sure if we’ll make it, but we think it’s achievable. Whatever we raise will go to supporting the project. Also, people can donate without claiming a reward.â€? To support the campaign, go to sponsume.com/project/tobar-dualchais
Donnie and Peggy Johnson of 2 Middlequarter, North Uist are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Catriona and John Archie Currie, eldest son of the late Archie Currie and the late Nettie Currie of Ardchuig, Benbecula. Mealaibh bhur naidheachd. Leis a h-uile deagh dhÚrachd agus sonas dhuibh am pailteas.
Thank You The families of Drs Alex, Julia and John Macleod wish to thank all the people and organisations who made such generous donations to the fund for the memorial plaque erected in North Uist. Our sincere thanks also to those individuals and companies who helped in any way by getting the plaque delivered, preparation of the site, erecting the memorial and assisting on the day with organisation, transport, tribute speeches and catering. Special thanks are also due to the organizing committee and to those who attended the unveiling ceremony - a day the Macleod family will never forget.
HEBRIDEAN SMOKEHOUSE SHOP, CLACHAN, NORTH UIST
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island news & ADVERTISER - November 2013 Issue 20
Glasgow Uist & Barra celebrates 125th anniversary The Glasgow Uist & Barra Association is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. It’s one of nine ‘territorials’ left in Glasgow, after a heyday of 22 associations for exiled islanders.
Current president Julia MacIsaac looks back on the association’s history. The association was formed in 1888 to look after the wellbeing of local members and those resident on the islands. It was a harsh time, with many calls for help during bereavements or hospitalisation. The association distributed money to many institutions and hospitals.
Pipe Major John Maclean Honorary Secretary, 1954
Angus John Macaulay Honorary Treasurer, 1954
An Annual Gathering was formed in 1890 and held in St Andrew’s Hall. Catering was considered necessary for up to 800 people at that time.
With World War I all social functions ceased. During the 1920s the Association arranged outings in the form of evening steamer cruises on the Clyde. These were eventually superseded by bus trips. In World War II all funds were diverted to provide comforts for Uist and Barra men and women serving in the armed forces. Concerts, dances and other functions were organised to augment funds. In 1942, the Lewis & Harris Association requested the cooperation of the Uist & Barra Association in running a concert in aid of Lewis Hospital, raising £262. The following year a similar Morag Mackay function was held, Convener of Ladies Committee, 1954 raising £300. Later the two associations ran dances in aid of Mòd funds. In 1944, the U&B started its annual piping competition, now one of the most popular events in the piping calendar. In 1945, a Uist & Barra Gaelic choir was formed, and competed in the Aberdeen and Inverness Mòds until it was disbanded in 1952. The Annual Gathering changed into a dinner-dance reunion in the late 1960s, and continues in that format today. The association still adheres to its founding principles,
sympathetically considering requests for assistance from the great variety of sources. It contributed to the Gaelic Unit and Gaelic Playgroup when they were established at Sir John Maxwell primary school in 1984. In 1988, the new secondary school at Lionacleit in Benbecula accepted a trophy from the Uist & Barra Association and it still stands today as a piping prize. Retired policeman John MacPhee, originally of Iochdar, South Uist is life honorary president of the association after serving on the committee, including several stints as president since 1965. It was at his suggestion that the Annual John MacPhee Gatherings transformed Lifetime honorary president. into dinner-dances. He said: “ I have fond memories of good nights, with good bands - and coming home from work at 10pm and getting shaved to go out to a dance at the Kingston Halls until 2pm. I was courting my wife Nan (from Barra) then.” Marybell MacDonald, originally of North Boisdale, South Uist has been secretary of the association for 29 years. For her it’s a passion, something that has kept her going through thick and thin. She said: “Even after coming out of hospital after chemotherapy I went straight to a Uist & Barra meeting.
“I’ve been away from the islands for 40 years, but the association brings a friendliness, it’s like going back to the old croft. You never need to feel alone.” Like the other ‘territorials’ still in existence in Glasgow, Uist & Barra worries for the future if young people don’t join in to keep it going. Marybell said: “We have to talk to the young people and see what they want, and keep hold of them and let them know they are safe.” The association holds ceilidhs on the last Friday of every month from October to April, the annual reunion dinner in November, a New Year dance in January, and the annual piping competition in March.
The 1988 Centenary Committee.
Glasgow Uist & Barra Association November 15 Glasgow Uist & Barra annual reunion dinner-dance, Glynhill Hotel, Renfrew 7.30pm - 12.30am
Marybell MacDonald with past president Finlay MacDonald.
November 22
125th Anniversary Concert Partick Burgh Hall, Partick 7.30pm to 10.30 pm
More information about the Association from Julia MacIsaac juliamacisaac@yahoo.co.uk
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November 2013 Issue 20 - island news & ADVERTISER
CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Customer Services Telephone No: 0845 600 2772 Emergency out of hours FAIRE Telephone No: 01851 701702
The policy on Snow Clearing and Gritting operations within the Western Isles is:1. Salting and gritting for ice and light snow conditions will be restricted to the hours between 6am and 6pm 2. The working hours during heavy snow conditions will be extended as necessary subject to the resources available 3. The order of priority for treatment will be inter island and main distribution roads, important principal roads and thereafter all other roads 4. Salting and gritting on Sundays, public holidays and core school holidays will be restricted to main roads
DRIVERS TRAVELLING AFTER 6PM IN WINTER CONDITIONS SHOULD THEREFORE EXERCISE EXTRA CARE FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS PRIORITY
ROUTE TARGET COMPLETION TIME
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Priority details and the Winter Maintenance Policy can be found on the Comhairle’s web site at:
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10
island news & ADVERTISER - November 2013 Issue 20
Gàidhlig/Gaelic Gaidhlig/Gaelic An Eathar OUR Againn OWN Fhìn SKIFF le Murchadh MacLeòid
Tha òrain Ghàidhlig làn ìomhaighean de dh’ eileanaich amuigh air a’ chuan ann am bàtaichean beaga fosgailte.
By Murdo MacLeod
Gaelic songs are full of images of islanders rowing and sailing the Hebridean coasts in open boats, perched beyond the Atlantic’s reach on the beach at villages like Shawbost – for many years there have been none. This may be about to change. There has been an initiative to form a coastal rowing club.
Bho luchd-iomraidh an t-Iorram Niseach gu Balaich an Iasgaich Bhràgair. Aig aon àm bha eathraichean leis a’ choimhearsnachd aig iomall a’ chuain ann am bailtean mar Shiaboist – chan eil gin air a bhith ann fad iomadach bliadhna. Ach tha coltas ann gu bheil seo a’ dol a dh’atharrachadh.Thathar an dùil buidheann iomraidh a thòiseachadh. Bidh eathar 22 troigh, le 4 ràimh ri chur ri chèile. Feumar a peantadh ‘s a h-ainmeachadh cuideachd.‘S e ‘St Ayles skiff ’ an t-ainm a th’ air an seòrsa eathar seo. Chan eil einnsean ann ach saothar a’ chriutha ‘s cuideigin aig an stiùir. Faodaidh na dusanan a dhol a-mach air deagh latha. ‘ S dòcha gu bheil sinn air tòrr a chur romhainn ach tha an cur-seachad seo a’ dol am meud ann an Alba.Tha còrr ‘s 40 coimhearsnachd air eathraichean mar seo a thogail agus gan cleachdadh airson cuairtean socair ‘s farpaisean.Tha tachartasan ann a tha freagarrach do gach aois bho fo 16 gu còrr ‘s 70. Gu math tric chìthear barrachd mhnathan na fir san ath-bheòthachadh seo. Ambliadna bha Farpaisean na Cruinne ann an Ulapul, le rèisean, cuairtean, cèilidhean ‘s consairtean.
The club will build, paint and name a 22 ft, 5 person, 4 oared rowing boat which comes in a plywood kit form. The boat is in a design called the ‘St Ayles skiff. There is no motor, your crew is the propulsion and your cox is your pilot. Dozens of club members can row on a good day. Sounds ambitious, but in fact, Scottish coastal rowing is a fast-growing phenomenon. More than 40 communities have now built these boats and use them for gentle cruising and competitive racing. There are often events for all ages from under 16s to over 70s. Women have outnumbered men in many facets of this revival. This year, Ullapool hosted the World Championships for this type of traditional boat with races, leisure cruises, ceilidhs and concerts.
I’LL BET by Kenneth McManus
Tir a’ Gheallaidh / The Promised Land.
Cuiridh mi Geall Coinneach MacMhànais Anns a’ bhaile-mhòr seo tha bùithtean a’ dùnadh siud ‘s a seo. Eadar gainnead de dh’ airgid agus an t-eadar-lìon chan eil daoine a’ ceannach ann mar a bha. Ach air an làimh eile tha bùithtean eile a’ fosgladh: cafaidhean, taighean-bìdh agus, gu mìfhortanach, bùithtean-geallaidh no “bookies” mar a th’ againn orra.Aig aon àm bha na hàiteachan seo car robach, ach a-nis tha coltas spaideil orra. O chionn bhliadhna no dhà tha iad air a bhith a’ nochdadh nas trice air feadh Ghlaschu.Tha co-fharpais a’ dol eadar na diofar chompanaidhean – anns na h-uinneagan aca chì thu,“Best Odds Guaranteed” agus sgudal mar sin. Ma bhios barrachd bhùithtean den leithid ann feumaidh ‘s gu bheil barrachd dhaoine a’ cur geall annta.Tha daoine bochda a’ feuchainn ris a’ ghnothach a dhèanamh air crìonadh an eaconamaidh. Bha nàbaidh agam a bha gu math dèidheil air na h-eich. Bha fios agam gun robh fiachan air o chionn ‘s gun robh daoine, le coltas oifigeil orra, a’ gnogadh air an doras agam a’ faighneachd an robh fios agam càit’ an robh e. Nuair a bha mi ag iarraidh bruidhinn ri mo nàbaidh, bha agam ri m’ ainm a ghairm aig an doras aige no cha rachadh an doras fhosgladh. Sin an dòigh aige an saoghal a-muigh a chumail air falbh. Feasgar a bha seo thàinig mi dhachaigh agus bha sanas air doras mo nàbaidh ag innse dha gun robh seachdain aige a h-uile rud a thoirt a-mach as a’ flat aige. Bha e air a dhachaidh a chall! Cha robh sgeul air, bha glasan ùra san doras agus chaidh an dealan, an gas agus an t-uisge a ghearradh dheth. ‘S e duine laghach a bh’ anns mo nàbaidh, cuideigin nach dèanadh cron air duine sam bith. Nuair a bha obair aige cha robh an t-airgead uabhasach math. Chunnaic mi an t-seachdain seo chaidh e.Tha e a’ fuireach le caraid andràsta; ach chan urrainn dha fuireach ann gu bràth.Tha ainm air liosta taigheadas na Comhairle ach ma bhios iad a’ tabhann taigh dha bidh e ann an droch sgìre. Cia mheud duine mar mo nàbaidh a chaidh a bhuaireadh leis na bùithtean-geallaidh gleansach seo. Nuair a bha m’ athair òg chan robh iad laghail.‘S dòcha gu bheil an t-àm ann casg a chur orra a-rithist.
In the city, shops are closing here and there, with money being tight and the internet, people just aren’t buying things as they used to. But, other businesses are opening: cafès, restaurants and betting shops, the ‘bookies’. At one time, such places were a bit seedy, but now they’ve smartened up. For a couple of years they’ve been growing in number all over Glasgow. They’re competing with each other, in the windows you’ll see ‘Best Odds Guaranteed’ and similar nonsense. Clearly, there’s a demand for what they’re providing. Poor people are struggling to survive in challenging times. I had a neighbour who was keen on the horses. I knew he had debt problems because official-looking people would knock on my door asking if I knew where he was. When I wanted to talk to my neighbour, I had to identify myself at his door, otherwise he wouldn’t open it. That’s how he kept the world at bay. I returned home one evening to find a note on his door telling him that he had a week to empty his flat. He had lost his home! He was nowhere to be seen, the locks had been changed and the utilities disconnected. My neighbour is a decent man who wouldn’t bother anyone. When he had a job, the pay was low. I saw him last week, and he’s staying with a friend for now, but this can only be a temporary arrangement. His name is on the local authority list, but if they offer him a house, it will be in a less-favoured area. How many more like my neighbour have suffered because of these shiny gambling shops? They were illegal when my father was young. Perhaps it’s time to think about curbing them again.
Tha ar duilleag cunbhalach dà-chànanach Gàidhling ’s Beurla air a thoirt thugaibh le taic bho Bhòrd na Gàidhlig Our regular Gaelic-English page is brought to you with the assistance of Bòrd na Gàidhlig. Deasaiche/Editor: Eairdsidh Caimbeul/Archie Campbell
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November 2013 Issue 20 - island news & ADVERTISER
ere amazed They told us they w rain islands, even in the at the beauty of the one of the days. they experienced on
11
Crofting
Baltic Highland Cattle breeders visit isles
Submit your drainage projects for funding this month Crofters seeking Scottish Government funding for drainage projects should submit their applications by November 15 before funding is suspended. It follows a recent announcement that the Scottish Government would continue rural support schemes – including the £2 million Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants (Scotland) Scheme (CCAGS) - in the 2014 gap year for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). However, current European transition regulations do not permit funding for capital projects such as the CCAGS drainage option.
The group visits the Ardbhan herd in North Uist.
A large herd of humans from the Baltics visited Highland cattle in Lewis and Uist last month. previously organised a Highlanders sightseeing trip for the North of Scotland Highland Cattle Club, it was a natural progression to organise a trip for Finnish breeders and their Estonian counterparts. Maureen said: “They visited the Tordarroch and Culloden folds, and our fold in Allanfearn before heading for Loch Maree to see Inverewe gardens and then heading for Ullapool and over to Stornoway. “They visited Brue Highlanders and
Breeder Kairo Pilviste surrounded by Highlanders in Uist.
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In Soviet times cattle farming was almost nonexistent, allowing bush and scrub to grow up on the seashore. Kairo Pilviste
then went on to see the Broadbay Fold in Gress, before heading to see Angus and Michelle MacDonald’s herd in North Uist. “They told us they were amazed at the beauty of the islands, even in the rain they experienced on one of the days.â€? Kairo Pilviste is from Saaremaa, the biggest island in Estonia. He uses around 120 Highland cattle to clear the seashores on the island under a Government scheme, and has bought many cattle from Ardbhan and other parts of Scotland. There are about 3,000 Highland cattle in Estonia. In Soviet times cattle farming was almost non-existent, allowing bush and scrub to grow up on the seashore. Mr Pilviste said: “We want to get back the old landscapes that’s why we need them to clean the seashores. You can’t use heavy machinery or heavy animals on our soft, stony shore. It takes two or three years and you can see a totally different landscape. They thrive on the reeds and scrub.â€? Retired professor Mati MĂĽkelĂĽ helped organise the trip at the Finnish end. He owns no Highlanders, although he has an all-consuming passion for the breed ever since his farmer neighbour acquired some 12 years ago. He said: “I have known all the calves of one of those cows for the past ten years. I am fascinated by their behaviour, their relationship between animal and human, their emotions, their cognitive abilities and what is going on inside their brains.â€? The group visited the MacDonald’s cattle on the west side of North Uist and on the tidal island of Vallay. They went to Lochmaddy hotel for lunch, where they were treated to a menu of Uist fare. Prof MĂĽkelĂĽ said words could not describe what the group had seen, heard and enjoyed in terms of cattle and hospitality on their island trip.
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A fold of 43 Highland Cattle breeders from Finland and Estonia visited Brue, Gress and North Uist in a trip organised by John Ashton and Maureen MacArthur of Allanfearn Highlanders, Strathpeffer. John and Maureen have been breeding Highlanders as a hobby for some years, and supplied a young bull to a breeder in Finland, with whom they have kept in touch. Handily, they also have a coach company, Spa Coaches. Having
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “The CCAGS scheme provides important support to Scotland’s crofting communities. That is why we have protected its funding in the face of an 11 per cent real terms cut to the Scottish Government’s budget imposed by Westminster. “Although CCAGS will continue in 2014, rural development funding for drainage projects is not allowed under the current transition regulations. “The Scottish Government and other Governments across Europe are continuing to press hard for a full roll over of the Rural Development programme in 2014, but it is still not clear whether we will be able to continue to fund CCAGS drainage projects next year. “Therefore we strongly encourage anyone wishing to undertake this kind of drainage work to submit their application before November 15 to allow any appropriate approvals to be issued before the current CAP period finishes at the end of this year. “Our intention would be – subject to the results of our forthcoming consultations on CAP implementation - to reinstate this option in 2015 when the new Rural Development programme starts.�
12
island news & ADVERTISER - November 2013 Issue 20
Grazings Committees consultation underway
Common Grazing Regulations and Grazing Committee Duty to Report are the subjects of two consultations underway by the Crofting Commission.
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The consultations, which started last month, will run until 22nd November. The aim of the consultation on Grazing Regulations is to ask for comments from Grazings Committees and other interested parties on a new set of regulations drawn up to provide grazing committees with a framework for the effective regulation of grazings. Susan Walker, convener of the Crofting Commission said: “The Grazing Regulations have not been updated for decades. We receive many calls from concerned grazing clerks, committee members, shareholders in the grazing and members of the public that, one way or another, relate back to the regulation of common grazings. “We decided as a Commission that we need to assist committees by producing an up-to-date template which groups can adopt or adapt, to give clearer guidance for committees and shareholders about how common grazings are regulated in the 21st century.” With more 500,000 hectares of land
designated as common grazing, this represents a huge asset with many opportunities for shared land management, Mrs Walker added. The second consultation is on a draft form designed for Grazing Committees to complete once every five years, beginning in 2013-14, known as the ‘Duty to Report’. Under the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010, committees are required to report on the condition of the common grazing, the condition of every croft of tenant and owner-occupier crofters sharing in the grazing and any other matter the Crofting Commission may require. Mrs Walker said: “We developed this form following initial discussion with assessors and grazing clerks at our annual Assessors Conference last year. “We believe we have devised a form that grazing committees will not find threatening to complete. We would like to encourage grazing committees to see the completion of this duty once every five years as an opportunity to highlight issues to the Crofting Commission. We
also hope that, by completing the form, crofting communities will move towards more self-regulation, as it will give them an opportunity to identify the key issues for them on the common grazing. “With increased information coming into the Commission and a greater dialogue with grazing committees, we can work together to highlight crofting issues to Ministers and the Scottish Parliament and present the case for crofting, its value to Scotland as a whole and the threats facing it.” Grazing Committees, crofting Assessors and other interest groups have until 22nd November to submit a response to the consultations. Notices providing details of the consultations have been sent to all registered grazing committees. Any representatives of unregistered grazings who would also like to submit a response should contact the Crofting Commissionon cc2013@ crofting. scotland. gov.uk or by telephoning the Commission on 01463 663439.
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November 2013 Issue 20 - island news & ADVERTISER
my drawings I want to convey in ng, iding, diving, hoveri gl t; gh fli of g in el fe a es drama. strength and sometim Rabbitts Jocelyn Anne
13
Art
Apothecary exhibition for North Uist artist Jocelyn Anne Rabbitts of Carinish, North Uist is the latest Uist artist to exhibit in the annual Hebridean exhibition at the London Apothecary Gallery.
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She follows Lorraine Burke, Simon Bradley and Marnie Keltie who exhibited there last year, and William Neill and Steve Duffield who exhibited there in 2010. Her exhibition of drawings is entitled Sea Wings, and will run in the prestigious gallery in Greyhound Road, Hammersmith until November 22. The finely detailed drawings, pictured, are inspired by the skeletons, feathers and wings of birds found amid the flotsam and jetsam of the Uist coastline. Mrs Rabbitts says she is fascinated by bleaching and discoloration of the sun on the bones, and the contorting and twisting of the feathers as they are washed over by the sea and dried in the salt winds over and over again. She said: “I want to convey in my drawings a feeling of flight; gliding, diving, hovering, strength and sometimes drama. The clasped foot of the Rough-Legged Buzzard reveals its strong claws for gripping tight and holding its prey. “I am always aware that what remains of the birds not only retains their grace and elemental beauty, but are a constant reminder of nature’s harsh realities.” Mrs Rabbitts thanked Comhairle nan Eilean Siar for giving funding support for her exhibition. Wildlife photographs by Steve Duffield will accompany the exhibition.
Angus B MacNeil MP Constituency Office, 31 Bayhead Street, Stornoway Isle of Lewis, HS1 2DU
All enquiries welcome
Tel 01851 702 272 E-Mail: macneila@parliament.uk
14
island news & ADVERTISER - November 2013 Issue 20
Mingulay setting for Gaelic-Galego film project A Galician film-maker with a passion for Scotland wants to make a film set on the island of Mingulay, and scripted in Gaelic and Galego, the language of Galicia. Pepe Ballesta of Furancho Films is currently writing Unha Casiña Branca, the story of Antonio, a refugee from Franco’s oppression in the Spanish Civil War, who is shipwrecked on Mingulay. He lives in a makeshift bothy and makes friends with the people of Barra. He has a brief affair with the schoolteacher, falls out with his neighbours and retires into seclusion after the war. The story shifts to 1992, and the teacher’s granddaughter and her boyfriend decide to
return Antonio’s ashes to Spain-but it’s a painful, sensitive and difficult journey. Pepe said: “The origin of the project is my previous documentary Memorial de Camposancos about a near forgotten concentration camp for prisoners of Franco. “There I knew the importance of not forgetting the victims of our national drama, the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39. “I began to think about a story of an ‘exiled’ person in a remote land very similar to Galicia in landscape, way of
living etc. and Catholic Barra with its satellite uninhabited Mingulay.” Pepe said he loves Scotland and last year came to the Outer Hebrides, meeting Andy Mackinnon of UistFilm in North Uist. The two are discussing a possible co-production between Galicia and Scotland. Andy said: “This is a first, there has never been a Gaelic-Galician language film
before. It’s a great story and we hope to be working on the script with Stewart Hepburn, the screenwriter involved in the Katie Morag productions. “With the current success of ‘minority language’ drama internationally, it’s a good time to be developing such an exciting project, and we’ll be working to raise development funding to take it forward in the coming months.”
Daniel’s marathon fund-raiser for Eriskay’s Norrie An Eriskay family is glowing with pride after one of their young members raised £8000 for charity in memory of his uncle - by running from Glasgow to Taynuilt.
Daniel sets out accompanied by friends and family.
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Daniel MacDonald, 22, comes from the MacKinnons of Eriskay (Angus ‘Buddy’ MacKinnon is his grandad). He’s the nephew of fisherman Norrie, who sadly died from cancer in March, aged 51. News of Norrie’s illness last September hit the family hard, and Daniel was desperate to do something to help. Supported by his family, the young joiner decided he would run from Glasgow to his home town of Taynuilt, more than the equivalent of three marathons. He started training with the aid of a fitness coach, and spurred on by mum Dolina. Dolina said: “People are calling me Judy now after Judy Murray, because I admit I did a fair bit of nagging in the background to keep him going.” Daniel’s route was a challenging one, including rough off-road terrain and the Rest and Be Thankful on Day 2, just when he was at his lowest ebb. He set out from the Beatson Institute in Glasgow, accompanied by Barra man Iagan MacNeil. Dolina said: “At the end of day one, 26.5 miles Daniel was surprisingly fresh, but his knee was niggling a bit. The great sports physio Andrew Johnston of Appin gave his services for free, worked on his muscles and taped him ready to go again.” On Day 2, Daniel ran the whole way up the Rest and Be Thankful, cheered on by his family, and completed the
Taped up, Daniel manages to keep going.
now aged 4, who was born with a congenital heart defect and has been through numerous grueling operations. Daniel might do a marathon next year, he has told his family. “But he told us if he does fund-raising again to get him to do a sky-dive,” said proud mum Dolina. You can still donate to Daniel’s campaign on Just giving page is www.justgiving.co.uk/teams/dansbigrun Text BRUN61 followed by your donation, send to 70070 Facebook DansBigRun
28.5 mile section in an astonishing 5 hours. Dolina said: “Outside Inverary he told us he was in such pain from his knees he thought he couldn’t go on, but we told him how far he’d got and he managed to keep on going.” Day 3 was a stroll in the park by Daniel celebrates with his family at the end of comparison, with Daniel completing his ordeal. 25.5 miles in 4 hours 40 mins and finishing to a massive welcome at the Taynuilt Hotel. Dolina said: “He could barely walk. The pain was so intense he couldn’t sleep for a WANTED couple of days. It took him a People Serious About long time to recover.” Losing Weight The money Daniel has raised will go to MacMillan No Classes - No Calorie Counting Cancer Support and Yorkhill Hospital. TRY OUR NEW 3 DAY TRIAL TODAY !! Daniel’s family have special links with Yorkhill through a Call Rachel on 07825 710214 previous fund-raising campaign www.innesnutrition.co.uk for Joshua, Daniel’s nephew We Deliver All Over the UK
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November 2013 Issue 20 - island news & ADVERTISER
of affectionately of Donald ‘Beag’ spoke ay. Less popular hn by boat to Berner his times taking Dr Jo ence upon snacks were Dr John’s insist ld na Do th wi nts me mo h to sustain them of raw fish or shellfis during the journey.
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Community
Memorial to Macleod doctors unveiled The Macleod family around the memorial.
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A stainless steel memorial sculpture has been unveiled in North Uist to pay tribute to the family of doctors who served there between 1932 and 2000.
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David Macleod, Rev John Smith and Dr Gillies at the unveiling.
Drs Alexander and Julia Macleod and their son John were North Uist’s GPs for a combined total of 107 years. The senior Macleods began their practice under circumstances now barely conceivable - pre-NHS, without the benefits of modern medicine and equipment, travelling on foot or horseback, rowed to outlying islands in all weathers and in the middle of the night, serving a community facing poverty and hardships that have become distant memories today. One of the nursing sisters who served with all the doctors is Margaret MacQuarrie of Knockquien. Having witnessed the doctors’ unstinting dedication to duty, she decided to put together a group to acknowledge their service with a permanent memorial. The Drs Macleod Memorial Fund Group, chaired by Philip Harding and with the participation of Theona Morrison, Angus MacQuarrie, John Maclean and Peter Rintoul, worked with members of the Macleod family to source and design the memorial, and to fundraise some £6,000 for it.
Dr John Gillies unveils the memorial.
The wave-form sculpture in gleaming stainless steel sits alongside the memorial to the founding of the Air Ambulance Service, in which Dr Alexander played a key role, at Banca Mor, Claddach Illeray, surrounded by panoramic vistas of the islands the doctors so loved.
The unveiling took place on a sparkling afternoon, with some 150 members of the community present. Prayers were said by Rev John Smith, and Dr John Gillies, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) in Scotland, formally unveiled the sculpture. Its graceful shape and simple yet heartfelt inscriptions in both English and Gaelic seemed to meet with the approval of the company. Dr Gillies, himself brought into the world by Dr Alexander in Strumore, Lochmaddy, said it was a proud moment for RCGP.
Peter Rintoul, Margaret MacQuarrie and Neil Galbraith (chair NHS Western Isles).
He said: “Our college is proud and extremely happy to honour the memory of these doctors, two of them Fellows of the college, who exemplify the motto of RCGP- cum scientia caritas- compassion with knowledge.� David Macleod, the late Dr John’s brother, also spoke at the scene of the Macleod family’s great appreciation of the memorial. The company then adjourned to Clachan Church hall at the invitation of the Macleod family, to enjoy afternoon tea supplied by the Ewen and Allan Maclean and their team, of the Stepping Stone restaurant and Maclean’s Bakery. With Peter Rintoul as MC, the speeches continued, with further tributes to the doctors paid by Dr Gillies, Margaret MacQuarrie, Dr Kate Dawson of Benbecula Medical Practice, a trainee of Dr John’s more than 20 years ago; Dr Jim Douglas of Tweeddale Medical Practice and former colleague of Dr John in his work with WONCA, the World Organisation of Family Doctors; Alasdair Allan MSP who put the doctors’ work into historical perspective; Gloria MacKillop of Berneray, a retired health visitor; Richard Collacott, UHI Professor
Four of my family members owed their lives to Dr Alexander after an outbreak of e.coli. He saved them. Without him, I wouldn’t have had my sisters. Ena MacDonald of Rural Health and Wellbeing; and chair of NHS Western Isles, Neil Galbraith. Three community members gave their memories of the doctors, starting with Ena MacDonald of Kyles, brought into the world weighing 10lb by an incredulous Dr Alexander. She said: “Four of my family members owed their lives to Dr Alexander after an outbreak of e.coli. He saved them. Without him, I wouldn’t have had my sisters.� Donald ‘Beag’ spoke of affectionately of his times taking Dr John by boat to Berneray. Less popular moments with Donald were Dr John’s insistence upon snacks of raw fish or shellfish to sustain them during the journey. Norman Johnson of Lochmaddy, who played the pipes at the unveiling of the memorial, remembered Dr Alexander treating the burns on his hands and legs when aged 14, he picked up a live .303 bullet which promptly exploded.
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FOR SALE Rayburn Nouvelle This Rayburn has given many years of service to a B & B premises on the Island of Berneray in the Outer Hebrides.
Ewen Maclean and John Gillies in Clachan Church Hall.
Dr John’s daughter Beth Macleod rounded off the speeches on behalf of the family with heartfelt thanks to all who had planned and executed the memorial “with such thought and attention to detail.� Margaret MacQuarrie extended her thanks to everyone involved in the project. She said: “So many people helped in so many different ways and I’d like to thank them all. I was touched by the kindness of so many who obviously had fond memories of the Drs Macleod.�
This unit is offered with the benefit of £900 worth of spares.  LPG fired. Sold as seen and buyer collects, but transport can be arranged at purchaser’s cost.
Offers over ÂŁ1250.00.
GENERATOR This is a CV2500CX generator (Honda GX 160 Engine), hardly used. Please see photo of data plate for further details.
A reserve figure has been placed on this item of £150.00. Sold as seen and buyer collects, but transport can be arranged at purchaser’s cost.
Telephone 07584 124864
16
island news & ADVERTISER - November 2013 Issue 20
OUR ISLANDS OUR FUTURE Scottish secretary tells islanders he’s ‘a friend and ally in Westminster’
Alistair Carmichael
Exploring ways of devolving control over local decision making by Scottish islands local authorities is “well understood” in Whitehall, the Scottish Secretary has said. Alistair Carmichael last month hosted a delegation from the Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles councils in Westminster for discussions on the future of governance on the islands. Mr Carmichael said it was important that the voices of those living on the islands were heard by both UK and Scottish governments and said their case would have “a friend and ally at Westminster” through him and the Scotland Office. He said: “This is very much the start of the ‘nuts and bolts’ discussion but the campaign and the UK Government do have a common ground to build on, a belief that greater decision making should rest with local communities.
“As someone who lives, works and raises his family on Orkney, I know how strongly people feel about the centralisation of power, whether in London or Edinburgh. The question of how best to make local decisions in the future and issues such as the control of the seabed around our island communities are important issues and we need to look at them closely and constructively. “I hope that the messages the delegation will take back to Lerwick, Kirkwall and Stornoway is that as Scottish Secretary they have a friend and ally in Westminster and that following their meetings the campaign is well understood by Whitehall.”
The Month in the North Island News & Advertiser begins its regular digest of news from the Orkney and Shetland islands.
‘BARDS IN THE BOG’ Shetland Library has launched a new round of the popular ‘Bards in the Bog’ poetry competition, whereby new poetry is placed on toilet doors throughout the islands. The poetry will be in Shetland dialect, to help celebrate the 2014 ‘Year of Dialect’. As part of Living Lerwick’s Winter Festival, the poems will be displayed in shop windows on Commercial Street in January, as well as in their usual place on toilet doors throughout the isles. First launched in 2009 during Jen Hadfield’s poetry partnership with the library, ‘Bards in the Bog’ attracted international attention. Since then there have been six rounds of the competition, with entrants and winning Bards coming from Shetland and much further afield. A book of the poems was published by Shetland Library in 2011, and raised over £1,200 for the charity WaterAid. The poems for this dialect round of Bards in the Bog are to be selected by members of Shetland Forwirds (SFW).
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Remembering HMS Royal Oak The annual remembrance ceremony to mark the anniversary of the sinking of HMS Royal Oak takes place today, Monday [Oct 14] — the 74th anniversary of the wartime tragedy. The battleship was sunk by a German U-boat on October 14, 1939, while lying at anchor in Scapa Flow, with the loss of 834 lives. Built at a cost of £2.5 million, the 27,000 tonRoyal Oak had been presumed unsinkable by submarine attack within Scapa Flow – but the unsinkable became the unthinkable as German U-boat commander Lt Gunther Prien evaded the flimsy defences in the submarine U47 and attacked at the heart of the British Navy.
orcadian.co.uk Davy MacDonald, library caretaker and driver, installs a poem.
The group, set up to foster and promote the use of written and spoken Shetland dialect, celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2014. SFW convenor, Mary Blance, says this literary initiative will get the ‘Year of Shetland Dialect’ off to a flying start. “Wir very blyde ta get involved wi dis an raelly lookin forwird ta seein whit kinda poems folk come up wi. Earlier roonds o da Bards is come up wi some very good poetry so here’s hoopin dis een does too!”
Creative industries professor to join college A new professor for creative industries will be appointed to Shetland College – part of the University of the Highlands and Islands network. The move recognises the isles’ major contribution to the sector. It is believed the decision to appoint a professor who will represent burgeoning industries, such as knitwear or music, could unlock the potential for new businesses while
doing more to support existing enterprises. Chairman of the Shetland College UHI board, Drew Ratter, warmly greeted the news. The fact the isles play host to so many creative works, he says, makes Shetland the ideal place to host the chair of creative industries. The estimated benefit to the Shetland economy of creative industries is calculated at around £2.4 million pounds per year.
shetlandtimes.co.uk Proposed mackerel deal will cost pelagic jobs, SFA chief warns Shetland’s pelagic fleet could be under threat if a deal proposed by the European Commission to end the international mackerel dispute is adopted, Shetland Fishermen’s Association has warned. The organisation, which represents a third of Britain’s pelagic fleet, has reacted angrily to proposals from Brussels bureaucrats which it says would reward Iceland and Faroe for “piracy”. The SFA understands the commission is proposing a revised international agreement that could see the total allowable catch (TAC) of mackerel rise to 64 per cent, with Iceland getting an 11.9 per cent share of that. It’s current share is zero.
shetlandtimes.co.uk
Marine survey project targets Scapa Flow wrecks Historic Scotland has commissioned new marine surveys on the wartime wrecks in Scapa Flow. The project, which runs until November 30, will provide information on the extent, survival and condition of a number of sites that have not been recorded by previous work in the county. ORCA Marine, a Department of Orkney College, and Sula Diving, will target sites which will be recorded using a side-scan sonar and then dived on to identify the nature and character of
the remains. The work will focus on the remains of blockships around the Churchill Barriers and a number of other sites in and around the Gutter Sound. It will also help Historic Scotland to consider the case for a Historic Marine Protected Area focused on the wartime underwater remains in the Flow.
orcadian.co.uk
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ent to the This award is testam of a team that have phenomenal efforts t and drive to shown a commitmen ar. improve year on ye espie Daniel Gill
November 2013 Issue 20 - island news & ADVERTISER
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Neighbours
Tiree best small music festival for second year running of getting the award once, never mind in consecutive years. We are delighted that the festival is a platform for introducing new visitors to our magical island.” Last year saw 1500 festival goers make the journey to Tiree, with 76% of them travelling from outside the region. The award judges highlighted the growth and boost to tourism created by the festival.
Cedar Waxwing in Tiree.
Rare waxwing blows into Tiree garden A bird normally only be seen in the USA has been photographed in a garden on Tiree. The cedar waxwing, which is just a bit bigger than a house sparrow, is thought to have been blown thousands of miles off course by strong westerly winds during its migration.
Tiree Music Festival (TMF) has been crowned Best Small Festival in Scotland at the Scottish Event Awards. TMF was formed four years ago, and won the same accolade last year. Proud TMF Community Director Stewart
MacLennan said: “It’s been an incredible journey and when planning for the first festival in 2010 we could only have dreamed
Best Small Festival Award in Scotland.
Daniel Gillespie, co-founder and artistic director of TMF said: “This award is testament to the phenomenal efforts of a team that have shown a commitment and drive to improve year on year. Many have no family connection to the island yet have embraced the culture, community and atmosphere – we are very proud to have them as part of our team. Tiree’s local community are the heart and soul of the festival’s atmosphere.” TMF 2014 is planned to run to three days for the first time, and will be held from 1820 July.
RecyColl-ing towards zero waste RecyColl, the Isle of Coll’s recycling group has received funding of just over £110,000 from the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund, part of the Keep Scotland Beautiful charity, to be spent over the next 18 months. RecyColl has just taken on the lease of the old village hall in order to increase its service provision. The group’s long-term goal is to work with the community of Coll towards achieving Zero Waste. The group aims to help Coll residents and visitors alike to reduce their domestic CO2 emissions, utilise local resources more effectively and provide a centre for learning, information sharing and practical recycling and reuse activities on the island. The funding will pay for such things as overhead costs; an education officer; a
variety of workshops and events; a member of staff for the new centre and a project development officer.
The project includes the following activities: Training in use of the community’s food composter l Cookery workshops to demonstrate avoidance of food waste l Home visits to increase energy efficiency…and save people money l Working with local businesses and the local primary school l Master composting workshops. l
The challenge that now lies ahead for the group is to make progress towards the two aims and develop sufficient income streams to make the centre sustainable, with revenue being generated from sale of goods such as compost, aggregate and second hand items.
For more information on RecyColl’s Moving Coll Towards Zero Waste project and how to get involved please contact chairman Julian Senior on 01879 230 488.
This brightly-coloured fruit-eating bird is so rare in Britain that it has only been recorded previously on two occasions, in Shetland in 1985 and in Nottingham in 1996. Local RSPB Scotland officer John Bowler said: “When it turned up in a really exhausted state, the garden’s owner was unable to identify it, so gave me a ring. We get all sorts of unusual birds turning up at this time of year, so I’d no idea what to expect, but I was a bit shocked when I finally saw it. “Cedar waxwings are such rare and exotic visitors, that it would normally have attracted a large number of twitchers to the island. However, since it was in a private garden, its appearance had to be kept a secret until after it had gone. “It feasted on cotoneaster berries for several days, regaining its strength, and was last seen at the end of September before heading south.”
UIST PRODUCE MARKET Produce, tasting, information, children activities Nunton Steading Saturday 23 November 11 – 5 pm information and bookings
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island news & ADVERTISER - November 2013 Issue 20
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Kerry has three jobs to help fund her passion - based in St irling, she works pa rt-time for Alzheimer’s Scotland , she coaches triathl on and teaches PE in a local school , and she works two days a week in a bike shop.
Sport Kerry’s tough road towards the Commonwealth Games No gain without pain is a frequent refrain when it comes to sports training. For 27 year old South Uist athlete Kerry MacPhee the pain keeps on coming, particularly of a financial nature- but she’s determined to get to next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Kerry, originally from Kilpheder, is a mountain biker with shelf-loads of medals behind her, including gold at this year’s World Island Games. But at her level, things are tough. Training and winning competitions is all, and close behind that comes money. Kerry has three jobs to help fund her passion- based in Stirling, she works part-time for Alzheimer’s Scotland, she
coaches triathlon and teaches PE in a local school, and she works two days a week in a bike shop. Around that, she fits in her training morning and night, and at weekends. The hard work is paying off, because she has been selected for the Scottish Cycling Development Programme, which means that she’s reached a certain standard from her success in this year’s sporting events. But it’s not a magic wand to the GamesKerry will be re-assessed in March to go into the Elite level of the programme. Even then her place on the team is not guaranteed. From the start of next year she
L to R Chris Bennett (Scottish Athletics), Hannah MacKinnon (SUEAAC Chair), Christine MacQuarrie (SUEAAC Coach), Scott Hamilton (SUEAAC Coach), Morag MacInnes (SUEAAC Secretary).
SUEAAC receives Western Isles’ first Foundation Accreditation South Uist and Eriskay Amateur Athletics Club were presented with the Foundation Award through Scottish
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Athletics’ club accreditation scheme by Julie Wyatt. Regional Development Officer for Scottish Athletics. The scheme guides clubs to operate, act and perform as best they can. This award is a result of a lot of hard work and determination by the club’s coaches, committee and athletes to succeed. SUEAAC are the first club in the Western Isles to receive this award and it shows that even a young club like SUEAAC can be inspired to success by using the correct tools and support measures and it gives the club confidence to grow and progress in years to come. Scottish Athletics asked an athlete, Chris Bennett, heading towards Glasgow 2014 to travel around the islands and talk about his experiences in athletics, give his story and answer questions. Chris is a seasoned hammer thrower, having won dozens of medals for his efforts. He took the group through a fun and active warm up before giving an expert session on how to throw a hammer, the first time for most of the athletes. Hopefully he has helped to inspire our young athletes to keep coming along and trying hard because there is definitely potential on these islands for elite athletes to be produced. Scott Hamilton.
Kerry MacPhee competing in Belgium last month. © Danny Zelck
must compete in grueling world-class competitions, some in Europe- and achieve within 106% of the winning time of a top 50 world-ranked rider. She refuses to be put off by the physical and financial demands of the months ahead. Kerry said: “I will find a way. It’s tough, but I’d rather be skint and happy than look back and regret not doing it. I’m trying to
figure out a way of cutting down on work but bills need to be paid. I’ve come too far, I’m not backing out now.” She added: “Last weekend, I won ‘Up the Kirk’ a mile-long climb up Logiekirk. I did it in 5’41”, 20 seconds faster than the winning time last year. I thought my head would split, I was even blind for a moment or two, but I did it.”
November 2013 Issue 20 - island news & ADVERTISER
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NOVEMBER REFUSE COLLECTION SCHEDULE FOR UISTS & BARRA Barra Refuse Collection - November 2013 Criochan, Brevig, Skallary, Leanish, Earsary, Bolnabodach, Bruernish, Northbay, Ardveenish, Ardmhor, Airport, Eoligarry
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UIST NOVEMBER Monday Nov 18 Paper/Card Nov 4 Blue Bin East Gerinish, Rhughasinish, Lochcarnan, Iochdar, Ardnamonie, Ardivacher, Ardmore, Creagorry, Liniclate & Liniclate School, Torlum, Hacklet, Uiskevagh, Petersport,WestCamp, Balivanich, Locheport, Berneray, ClachanSands, Vallique, Lochportain, Cheesebay, Lochmaddy, Minish, Blashaval, Uachdar, Dunganichy.
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Glen, Garrygall, Ledaig, Castlebay Shops, Hotels, Hospital, Castlebay School, Horve, Kentangaval, Nask
Thursday 14 Nov, 28 Nov Residual Collection
Smerclate, Garrynamonie, South Lochboisdale, South Boisdale, North Boisdale, Daliburgh Commercials and Daliburgh West of, Kilphedar, Strome, Eriskay, Glendale, Kilbride, Rangehead, Hacklet Eastwards, Uiskevagh, Petersport, WestCamp, Balivanich/Aird, Creagorry Commercials, Liniclate Commercials, Liniclate Muir, Uachdar, Dunganichy.
Wednesday Nov 6 Paper/Card Nov 20 Blue Bin Stoneybridge, Locheynort, Dalibrugh, Lochboisdale, Garryhellie, Askernish, Milton, Kildonan, Bornish, Howmore, Howbeg, Drimsdale, Stilligarry, Drimore, Gernish, Rangehead, Liniclate Commercials, Balivanich Commercials.
Thursdays Nov 7, 21 Residual Clachan, Claddach District, Bayhead, Knockintorran, Balemore, Kyles Paible, Paible, Sollas, Hosta, Tigharry, Grenitote, Ahmore, Balranald, Langass Lodge, Hougharry, Middlequarter, Lochmaddy Commercials, Clachan-na-luib, Carinish, Baleshare, Claddach Carinish, Grimsay, Island Flodda, Gramsdale, Griminish, Nonton, Aird, Muir of Aird.
Mondays Nov 25 Blue Bin Nov 11 Paper/Card Clachan, Claddach District, Bayhead, Knockintorran, Balemore, Kyles Paible, Paible, Balranald, Tigharry, Lochmaddy Commercials, Hougharry, Hosta, Sollas, Middlequarter, Grenitote, Langass Lodge, Clachan-na-luib, Carinish, Baleshare, Claddach Carinish, Grimsay, Island Flodda, Nunton, Aird, Muir of Aird, Gramsdale, Griminish.
Tuesdays Nov 12, 26 Residual Stoneybridge, Locheynort, Daliburgh, Lochboisdale, Garryhellie, Askernish, Milton, Kildonan, Bornish, Howmore, Drimsdale, Stilligarry, Howbeg, Drimore, Gernish, Rangehead, East Gernish, Rhughasinish, Lochcarnan, Iochdar,
Ardnamonie, Ardivacher, Ardmor, Creagorry, Liniclate, Liniclate School, Torlum.
Wednesdays Nov 27 Blue Bin Nov 13 Paper/Card Eriskay, Glendale, Kilbride, Smerclate, Garrynamonie, South Lochboisdale, Daliburgh Commercials, Daliburgh- West of Borrodale Hotel, South Boisdale, North Boisdale, Kilphedar, Strome, Rangehead, DI, IOBHH.
Thursdays Nov 14, 28 Residual Locheport, Berneray, ClachanSands, Vallique, Lochportain, Cheesebay, Blashaval, Minish, Lochmaddy Commercials, Bayhead, Paible, Claddach, Clachan, Carinish, Balivanich.
Uist Disability Access Panel
NEEDS YOU We try to help anyone with any access issues in the Uists If you are interested in joining us contact: UDAP c/o Tagsa offices orc/o 23 Winfield Way, Balivanich Isle of Benbecula, HS7 5LH
Tel: 01870 603233
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