THE CARRADALE GOLF CLUB THE SECRETARY IS DR R. J. ABERNETHY, THE ARCH, TORRISDALE PA28 6QT. TEL: 01583 431321 FURTHER INFORMATION IS ON PAGE 2 APOLOGIES TO ANYONE WHO MISSED THE SUBMISSION DATE FOR THE JULY ISSUE: IT WAS BROUGHT FORWARD TO THE 10th OF JUNE TO INCLUDE A NOTICE OF THE VILLAGE HALL EXTRAORDINARY MEETING ON TUESDAY 22nd JUNE. IN THIS ISSUE P2 Seniors Forum, Advocacy and Rhodos on the Rampage. P3 Surgery complaints, magazine review and planning applications. P4 Winter roads, Camera Club and apologies. P5 Beavers & Google mapping. P6 Community Council minutes. P7 Education budget consultation, beavers, shellfish and rain. P8 Waterfoot cemetery. P9 John MacMillan & Machrihanish. P10 ‘Eat your heart out Barra’. P11 Grants, Gaza, Wee Pictures. P12 Ladies golf, football, poo, Grozny post & Costa Solvency. CARRADALE VILLAGE HALL EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING TUESDAY 22nd JUNE at 7.30pm Background: Over recent years, the Management Committee has worked really hard to keep the hall in a good state of repair while keeping the finances in good order. However, events organised by the Hall Committee have been thinly attended in recent years and the recent AGM struggled to achieve a quorum. At the AGM a number of Committee Members stood down, leaving numbers on the Committee well down. The remaining Management Committee members feel that they cannot continue without more support and interest from the local community. Please come to the meeting in order to show your support for the village hall. Purpose of the meeting: TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF THE VILLAGE HALL Scottish Credit & Qualification Framework Results C’town Tarbert A & B Scotland AWARDS % % % % S 4 5+ Level 3 or better 91 92 92 91 5+ Level 4 or better 82 65 81 77 5+ Level 5 or better 41 27 35 35 S 5 1+ Level 6 or better 39 50 45 39 3+ Level 6 or better 22 29 23 22 5+ Level 6 or better 6 14 9 10 S 6 3+ Level 6 or better 38 18 35 29 5+ Level 6 or better 22 18 22 19 1+ Level 7 or better 12 14 16 12 School Leaver Destinations C’town Tarbert A & B Scotland % % % % Full-time Higher Ed 37 19 39 35 Full-time Further Ed 17 44 20 27 Training 3 6 3 5 Employment 27 25 25 19 Other known 17 6 12 13 Not known 0 0 1 1 Number of leavers ? 16 972 53,532 Amid the ever-growing distortions of ‘school-speak’ it is difficult to quantify the quality of education in local schools and in the country at large. While the statistics speak for only one aspect of the educational scene, what goes on in schools has become a minefield of aspirational IEDs among the mud walls of cultural architecture. SNP shells and unitary authority rockets explode without warning causing havoc among ethnic teachers trying to defeat the forces of ignorance and prejudice. The area committee minutes on the Argyll & Bute web-site show the Head-teacher of Tarbert Academy and the Rector of Campbeltown Grammar School doing their best to keep their heads down and recording every act of bravery on the wider educational scene. Both schools exude a wealth of sporting, cultural and social experiences and Head-teachers pay homage to the enterprise of their students in community involvement and business acumen. One wonders how long the two Heads can withstand the pressures imposed on them in this education war and whether UK pressures and Holyrood will produce a new ‘mud’ building for Campbeltown and retain the organisa- tional status quo at Tarbert. Wyndham Lewis, one of the most important British artists of the twentieth century, a major art critic, novelist, short-story writer, cultural commentator, political theorist, and philosopher could well have substituted the word ‘education’ for the final words in the title of one his best known books ‘The demon of Progress in the Arts’; education certainly changes but does it really progress? Are Tom Brown’s rural Scottish 21st graduates any better at making their way in the world or leaving their mark on school furniture - or on Council envelopes? - see P12. G.P. ADVANCE NOTICE SADDELL & CARRADALE CHURCH SUMMER FAYRE Thursday 5th August at 7.30pm in the VILLAGE HALL Usual stalls and competitions ARGYLL & BUTE STATISTICS SCHOOL EXAM RESULTS FOR TARBERT & CAMPBELTOWN Without your active support, the Hall will have to close. CARRADALE AIRPORT? See ‘Eat your heart out Barra’ on P10 Carradale Goat web-site photo by JD DEATH KNELL FOR THE VILLAGE HALL ? NETWORK TEAROOM ERSKINE: Jose would like to thank everyone for their support in purchasing at the Baking Stall in the tearoom - totals later. She would also like to remind walkers that there is still time to join the tartan walk on Sunday 27 June. NETWORK IS OPEN from 10am to 5.30pm every day except Thursday.
Transcript
THE
CARRADALE GOLF CLUBTHE SECRETARY IS DR R. J. ABERNETHY,
THE ARCH, TORRISDALE PA28 6QT. TEL: 01583 431321 FURTHER INFORMATION IS ON PAGE 2
APOLOGIES TO ANYONE WHOMISSED THE SUBMISSION DATEFOR THE JULY ISSUE: IT WAS
BROUGHT FORWARD TO THE 10thOF JUNE TO INCLUDE A NOTICE OF
THE VILLAGE HALLEXTRAORDINARY MEETING ON
TUESDAY 22nd JUNE.
IN THIS ISSUEP2 Seniors Forum, Advocacy and
Rhodos on the Rampage.P3 Surgery complaints, magazine
review and planning applications.P4 Winter roads, Camera Club and
apologies.P5 Beavers & Google mapping.P6 Community Council minutes.P7 Education budget consultation,
beavers, shellfish and rain.P8 Waterfoot cemetery.P9 John MacMillan & Machrihanish.P10 ‘Eat your heart out Barra’.P11 Grants, Gaza, Wee Pictures.P12 Ladies golf, football, poo, Grozny
post & Costa Solvency.
CARRADALE VILLAGE HALLEXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETINGTUESDAY 22nd JUNE at 7.30pm
Background: Over recent years, the Management Committee hasworked really hard to keep the hall in a good state of repair whilekeeping the finances in good order. However, events organised by the Hall Committee have beenthinly attended in recent years and the recent AGM struggled toachieve a quorum. At the AGM a number of Committee Membersstood down, leaving numbers on the Committee well down. The remaining Management Committee members feel that theycannot continue without more support and interest from the localcommunity. Please come to the meeting in order to show your support forthe village hall.
Purpose of the meeting:TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF THE VILLAGE HALL
Scottish Credit & Qualification Framework ResultsC’town Tarbert A & B Scotland
AWARDS % % % %S4
5+ Level 3 or better 91 92 92 915+ Level 4 or better 82 65 81 775+ Level 5 or better 41 27 35 35
S5
1+ Level 6 or better 39 50 45 393+ Level 6 or better 22 29 23 225+ Level 6 or better 6 14 9 10
S6
3+ Level 6 or better 38 18 35 295+ Level 6 or better 22 18 22 191+ Level 7 or better 12 14 16 12
School Leaver DestinationsC’town Tarbert A & B Scotland
% % % %Full-time Higher Ed 37 19 39 35Full-time Further Ed 17 44 20 27Training 3 6 3 5Employment 27 25 25 19Other known 17 6 12 13Not known 0 0 1 1Number of leavers ? 16 972 53,532
Amid the ever-growing distortions of ‘school-speak’ it is difficultto quantify the quality of education in local schools and in thecountry at large. While the statistics speak for only one aspect of theeducational scene, what goes on in schools has become aminefield of aspirational IEDs among the mud walls of culturalarchitecture. SNP shells and unitary authority rockets explodewithout warning causing havoc among ethnic teachers tryingto defeat the forces of ignorance and prejudice. The area committee minutes on the Argyll & Bute web-siteshow the Head-teacher of Tarbert Academy and the Rector ofCampbeltown Grammar School doing their best to keep theirheads down and recording every act of bravery on the widereducational scene. Both schools exude a wealth of sporting,cultural and social experiences and Head-teachers pay homageto the enterprise of their students in community involvementand business acumen. One wonders how long the two Headscan withstand the pressures imposed on them in this educationwar and whether UK pressures and Holyrood will produce anew ‘mud’ building for Campbeltown and retain the organisa-tional status quo at Tarbert. Wyndham Lewis, one of the most important British artistsof the twentieth century, a major art critic, novelist, short-storywriter, cultural commentator, political theorist, and philosophercould well have substituted the word ‘education’ for the finalwords in the title of one his best known books ‘The demon ofProgress in the Arts’; education certainly changes but does itreally progress? Are Tom Brown’s rural Scottish 21st graduatesany better at making their way in the world or leaving their markon school furniture - or on Council envelopes? - see P12. G.P.
ADVANCE NOTICESADDELL & CARRADALE CHURCH
SUMMER FAYREThursday 5th August at 7.30pm
in the VILLAGE HALLUsual stalls and competitions
ARGYLL & BUTE STATISTICSSCHOOL EXAM RESULTS FOR TARBERT & CAMPBELTOWN
Without your active support, the Hall will have to close.
CARRADALE AIRPORT?See ‘Eat your heart out Barra’ on P10
Carradale Goat web-site photo by JD
DEATH KNELL
FOR THE VILLAGE HALL ?
NETWORK TEAROOMERSKINE: Jose would like to thankeveryone for their support in purchasingat the Baking Stall in the tearoom -totals later. She would also like toremind walkers that there is still time tojoin the tartan walk on Sunday 27 June.
NETWORK IS OPENfrom 10am to 5.30pm
every day except Thursday.
Offering a warm and welcoming family atmosphere with an excellent menu of home-cooked food. Locallycaught seafood a speciality. Home-made ice cream. Full disabled and baby changing facilities. Functionscatered for. We now deliver takeaways. Free delivery on food orders over £10 in the Carradale area.Open 12.30pm to late every day except Tuesday Food served 12.30 - 2pm & 6pm - 8.30pm.
To book a table in the restaurant ‘phone Sue or Penny on 01583 431431 Fax 01583 431511or e-mail us at [email protected]
For further information contact The Secretary, Dr R.J. AbernethyThe Arch, Torrisdale, PA28 6QT Tel: 01583 431321 (May play in Club Competitions)
IN KINLOCH HALL CAMPBELTOWNPresent: George McMillan (Chair), IanTeesdale (Secretary), Geoffrey Page, AilsaStewart, Emily McDonald, Florence Lamont,Janet Russell, Jean Millar, CatherineMclntyre, John Mclntyre, Marjorie Sillies.Apologies: Margaret Turner, Judith Falconer.1. Minutes from February meeting,2. Matters Arisinga) Alan Briggs - Ian reported that he had
written to Alan.b) Public Notices - Ian reported that he had
received an acknowledgement of hissubmission stating our objection to theGovernment's proposal, which in the lightof widespread disapproval had beendropped.
c) Transport issues at Carradale - Ianreported that there were difficultiesarranging a meeting with Carradalecommunity council. The Chair, ShelaghCameron, preferred that we attend one oftheir scheduled meetings. But the Aprilmeeting was on a Thursday night and Ianhad a crucial choir practice that evening,and he has to be in Edinburgh onThursday 6 May. To be furtherinvestigated by Ian and George.
3. Correspondence - Ian reported that hehad had a letter from Jim Fry, the newlyappointed Regional Representative, NorthRegion, of Age Concern/Help the Aged'sBoard of Trustees. (Perhaps, surprisingly,South Kintyre is for this organisation'spurpose part of Scotland's North Region!). Ian said he had replied saying hesupposed Mr Fry, who lives in Thurso,would not be planning a visit to our town.But Mr Fry had telephoned to say hewould like to come here to attend ameeting. He suggested that Ian raise thiswith our Forum. It was agreed Ian write toMr Fry inviting him to come down for oneof our post summer meetings.
4. Other Businessa) Our Funding - Ian said we probably had
around £650.00 of our original Help theAged grant remaining, and should besounding out the new Charity's willingnessto make a new grant in due course.Agreed we raise this with the RegionalRepresentative when he comes.
b) Our outstanding bills for recent use of theGuide Hall have been received and paid.
5. Date of Next Meeting - Thursday 13 Mayat Argyll Arms Hotel, Southend. Ian tobook with Hotel. Ian gave his apologiesfor that meeting. I.T.
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ADVOCACYLOMOND AND ARGYLLADVOCACY SERVICE
HOW ADVOCACY CAN HELPWhat is Advocacy All About?
Advocacy involves assisting peopleto take control of matters that affecttheir lives, and to ensure thatpeople’s rights, needs and wishes areheard and respected. We matchpeople with an advocacy worker whospends time getting to know theiradvocacy partner so that they areable to help them to express theirviews to those in authority and ifnecessary, speak up on their behalf.Who are we and who can we assist?The Lomond & Argyll AdvocacyService specialises in providingConfidential, Free and Independentadvocacy support to adults who havemental health problems, a learningdisability or to people over the age of65.We are a registered Scottish Charityand operate throughout Argyll, withan office in Lochgilphead and teamof advocates here in Kintyre. Toavoid conflicts of interest ouradvocates are entirely independentof other services, such as the healthservice, social work service andbenefits agencies. We have no splitloyalties and are entirely on theperson’s side.
Making sure voices are heardThere may be times when someoneyou know feels confused and alonewhen dealing with people in authority,or wishes that they knew more aboutoptions and choices, or would like tohave someone help them ask thequestions that they need to beanswered. If you do, then theLomond & Argyll Advocacy Servicemay be able to help.Why not give us a call on 01546606056, or 07810 823300, or asksomeone to call us on your behalf?You may refer someone else to us orrefer yourself.
Volunteering for the AdvocacyService
We also run occasional locally basedcourses on basic advocacy skills andwelcome enquiries from peopleinterested in training to become avolunteer advocate.
Lindsay Fox-Denham,Coordinator, Kintyre
RHODO’S ON THE RAMPAGEThe Kintyre Way and the more recent relay races havebrought a number of recreative and serious walkers to thepeninsula. Others, previously resident as children, havereturned for family visits and taken the opportunity to revisitparts they have not seen for many years. Carradale Point has always attracted walkers, intent onreaching the local ‘south pole’, and those with anantiquarian interest . Even if walkers with young children,don’t quite make it to the ‘fort’, a walk along the beachtowards the Point provides an opportunity to enjoy awander, but family groups reaching Carraig-an-Lèim oreven Port-na-Doirlinn and looking for an alternative returnroute are ‘inclined’ to scramble up onto higher ground.Having reached the plateau they are faced with a forest ofrhododendrons and no obvious way through them and areforced to return to the beach. Way back in the early 1990s the ‘Point’, owned at thattime by Lady Mitchison and in the protection of the ScottishWildlife Trust, had its care threatened by the withdrawal ofSWT support on the grounds that the bio-diversity of thearea had declined to an unacceptable degree. As a resultthe community council was asked to replace the Trust aslocal guardians. After serious consideration, and in view ofthe dual use of the area - recreational use and farmingtenancy - the members of the community council wereunable to guarantee that they would undertake to keeprhododendrons in check; and decided that the responsibilitywas too great to shoulder. Now, sixteen years later, parts of the point areimpassable to walkers and reduced in value for grazing.Unless something is done this once popular weekendactivity will be the sole domain of horned animals and anattractive option for those wanting to avoid paying CouncilTax by refurbishing Jennie and Malky’s cave and going backinto door-to-door fish sales; Mrs McCormick and herfriendly ‘Mobile Fish’ van may soon have less mobile andmore questionable hygienic competition! When trying to find out a bit more about the fabledJennie and her partner Malcolm, Archie and CrystalPaterson were contacted. Crystal said that her aunt, MaggieBrown, who lived in the Portrigh houses, received regularvisits from the couple who engaged in barter transactionswhich would rival those promoted by the CampbeltownVolunteer Centre; Maggie put out potatoes, freshly bakedscones, tea and sugar and in exchange received fish caughtnear their cave. If Jennie and Malky are looking down from a less rockysphere where accommodation is somewhat different to theirformer abode, perhaps they might welcome the advance ofrhododendron ponticum simply because it kept ‘grockles’from their earthly ‘paradise’.
Later, in researching the problems experienced bywalkers ten years ago, it appears that it was possible towalk from Portrigh to the Point without having to takepronounced evasive action round rhododendron clumps.
If no action is taken for another ten years it is quite likelythat the Point will be inaccessible except by boat
We make the best Scottish tablet you have ever tasted
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CARRADALE SURGERYCOMPLAINTS INFORMATION
INTRODUCTIONIf you have a complaint or concern about the service you have receivedfrom the doctors or any of the staff working in this practice, please let usknow. We operate a practice complaints procedure as part of a NHS widesystem for dealing with complaints. Our system meets the national criteria.Its aim is to give a quick, but thorough, response to your concerns whichanswers them properly.
HOW TO COMPLAINWe hope that most problems can be sorted out easily and quickly, often atthe time they arise and with the person concerned. If your problem cannotbe sorted out in this way and you wish to make a complaint, we would likeyou to let us know as soon as possible, ideally on the day. This is becausethe sooner we know about a problem, the easier it will be for us to establishwhat happened. In any event, please let us have details of your complaint:• within 6 months of the incident that caused the problem; or• within 6 months of discovering that you have a problem, providing this is
within 12 months of the incident.Written complaints should be addressed to the Practice Manager who is ourcomplaints administrator. It will be a great help if you are as specific aspossible about your complaint. Alternatively, you may ask for anappointment to discuss your concerns.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXTWe will endeavour to deal with your concerns promptly. The complaintsprocedure will be explained to you and a complaint/consent form completed.The person making the complaint will be asked to sign this form. Please notethat we keep strictly to the rules of medical confidentiality. If you arecomplaining on behalf of someone else the consent of the patient will also berequired as we need to know that you have his or her permission to do so.
WHAT WE WILL DOWe will endeavour to deal with your concerns promptly. We will acknowledgeyour complaint within two working days and aim to have looked into yourcomplaint within ten working days of the date when you raised it with us.We shall then be in a position to offer you an explanation, or a meeting withthe people involved. When we look into your complaint, we shall:• find out what happened and what went wrong.�make it possible for you to discuss the problem and for us to explain the
practice's view of events• make sure you receive an apology, where this is appropriate• identify what we can do to prevent a recurrence of the incident, where
appropriate.FURTHER ACTION
The practice will make the most positive use of complaints to consider howour services could be improved. We will hold regular review meetings to:• consider complaints received• consider identified training needs• check that the practice processes have been improved where necessary.If you are not satisfied with the outcome of local resolution you can ask theHealth Board to consider taking your complaint to Independent Review.
LISTENING...ACTING…IMPROVINGThe NHS wants to listen to complaints and act fairly to deal with them. Wewelcome suggestions on how we could improve our service.Our aim is to give the highest possible standard of service and to deal quicklywith any problems that arise.
THE KINTYRE MAGAZINETHE KINTYRE ANTIQUARIAN & NATURAL HISTORY
SOCIETY’S TWICE YEARLY PUBLICATIONAngus Martin was kind enough to send the Antler editor a copy ofthe Spring issue of this well researched and informative magazine.Issue 67 contains a host of interesting articles relating to Kintyre,its flora, fauna, notable residents and their progeny. Outstanding in this issue is the story of the author Lucy MaudMontgomery whose great-grand-parents emigrated to Canada fromCampbeltown in 1771 aboard the ‘Edinburgh’. If the author’s nameis unfamiliar her novels are. How many girls and some boys willdeny reading Anne of Green Gables or any of her other 21 books? Another article traces the History of the Campbeltown physician,Dr John Cunningham, the writings of his daughter Madge (Margaret)and grand-daughter Islay. Both ladies played a significant part inrecording national and local flora. Incidentally Madge and herbrother Jack were living in Askomil End when Hamish Mackinven,featured in the May Antler, was sheltering with his girl-friend closeto the bombed house.
Argyll’s Forgotten Whisky Barons feature in an article by RobertHaydock and the members of the whisky family, the Greenlees, arethe subject of a related study by Angus Martin. There is also anappreciation of the life of Colonel H.L.R.Macneal of Lossit. In the section devoted to book reviews Angus looks at Volume2 of Moira Burgess assessment of Naomi Mitchison’s essays andjournalism and at Moira’s sister, Carol McNeill’s book entitledCampbeltown in Days Gone By. As always Angus Martin’s By Hilland Shore is a fascinating insight into the world of natural delightwith Kintyre’s flora and fauna. It is difficult to avoid travelling inimagination with Angus and his friends over the hills and along thesouthern shorelines of this beloved peninsula. Altogether a veryworthy and professional publication.Individual copies of the Spring 2010 issue are available for sale inlocal bookshops and annual postal subscription rates are now £4in the UK (2 issues) and £6 in other EU countries (Airmail £7). Ed.
PLANNING APPLICATIONSEast Kintyre Community Council Area. Erection of a dwelling houseand garage Plot 1, Dippen Farm, Carradale, Campbeltown, Argyll &Bute, PA28 6ER. Mr And Mrs Gordon Abernethy, 15 Hoylake Road,Drayton, Portsmouth, PO6 1BH. Agent:Tom Grant Partnership, 41Longrow, Campbeltown, Argyll 03B - Housing - Local 179886-636857
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Erection of steel framed farm building Dippen, Carradale,Campbeltown, Argyll & Bute, PA28 6QU W.D. Semple DippenFarm, Carradale, Argyll. Campbell of Doune Ltd., 78 King Street,Crieff, Perthshire, PH7 3HB 04B - Business and Industry - Local179858-637564.Erection of a dwellinghouse (renewal of planning consent06/00187/OUT). Torrisdale Castle, Torrisdale, Campbeltown, ArgyllAnd Bute, PA28 6QT. Donald and Mary MacAlister-Hall, TorrisdaleCastie, Carradale, Campbeltown, Argyll, PA28 6QT. NiallMacalister Hall, Newbank Lodge, 3 South Trinity Road, Edinburgh,EH5 3NU 03B - Housing - Local 179350-636137.Site for the erection of three houses (renewal of planning consent07/02009/OUT), Ground between the Carradale Hotel andLochpark, Carradale. Applicant Ruth Mehlsen, 3 LowerBroomieknowe, Lasswade, Midlothian EH18 1LW. Local 181609-638479
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GRITTING & PLOUGHING WINTER ROADSAGENDA ITEM AT THE KINTYRE INITIATIVE MEETING ON JUNE 11
ACTION PLAN TO SUSTAIN / IMPROVE KINTYRE WINTER OPERATIONSWITH CURRENT BUDGET.
As part of the review, we will be looking at how we can better deliver the servicewithin the present cost constraints. A saving of £100,000 has been accepted withinthe winter budget 2010-11 which is to be achieved by reducing the winter capablefleet by a further 4 vehicles. This will inevitably have an effect on our ability tomobilise substitute vehicles in time of breakdown or sever conditions.
There are several measures which can be done to improve our ability to treatthe existing route priorities in a more ‘pro-active’ way within the present policy.1 The combined B842 Carradale – Southend vehicle travels north first, at
present, giving Carradale ‘priority’ then returning to treat to Southend.If the order was reversed, treating Southend first, then the vehicle wouldbe in a position to continue North from Carradale – Cloanaig from08:00hrs (priority 4). However for this to work, Carradale residents wouldhave to accept that morning treatments would be ‘later’ on average07:15hrs - 07:45hrs rather than 06:30-07:00 at present.
2 To allow the resumption of three 18t GVM vehicles, additional suitablylicensed drivers are required. Three roadworkers presently employed inCampbeltown are programmed to be trained to full HGV standard and ifsuccessful, a full 3x 18t GVM fleet could be re-instated for 2010-2011.This would allow the resumption of B842 North Campbeltown – Claonaig/ Skipness as P2.
3 A larger capacity vehicle would be an advantage on the present P1 route A83Campbeltown – Kennacraig (and Skipness). This may be achieved either byre-allocation of existing vehicles or by hiring specialist equipment for the winterperiod only. However to preserve the £100,000 saving indicated above, moreof the present 18t GVM fleet would need to be removed from all year rounduse to compensate for the additional hire costs for the 7 month winter period.A secondary loading point at Tarbert would cost an estimated £70k - £100kto comply fully with SEPA requirements. Cost/Benefit analysis and tenderingworks are in progress, with a view to implementing this alternative winter fleetsolution 2010-2012 depending on manufacture time.
4 Proposals will be discussed at area committee, to adjust the policy on the useof the “second allocated drive” on the P1 routes. At present the policy onlyallows this second resource to be used on Priority 1 (A83) planned treatments18:00-22:00hrs and react to reports of hazards 22:00-06:00. A more wideranging “overnight” patrol remit, would allow this driver to cover the mosthazardous sections of both P1 and P2 routes in any district (mainly higherlevel sections or those with severe geometry) but still comply with the drivershours and working time regulations. The cost / benefit of this proposal andthe practicalities of implementing a revised rota will be discussed in the Areas,during May – Aug 2010, with a view to adjusting the present policy for approvalby committee in October 2010, should this be deemed a manageablealternative.
A note of caution must be given to group members on the expectation thatservices will be dramatically increased in the coming winter season. Theabove proposals may indeed make us more ‘proactive’ in relatively settled‘freeze’ conditions however in heavy snow we will still be unable to treatthe whole network and resources may need to concentrate on the highestpriority route first. Furthermore, the department is still charged with the task of achievinga 15% operational budget saving in Financial Year 2012 – 2013. Inevitablythe winter service, being the single largest value operation ‘Roads’ deliversannually will be part of this review and there may need to be a reduction inthe whole winter treatment network to achieve savings.
Callum A Robertson, Roads Contract Manager - Central.
LETTER TO THE EDITORTRUE GRIT
I didn't see this myself but those who did can be relied uponnot to mistake a mirage for the real thing. Talking to Matt andElizabeth McMillan on Thursday, they told me they saw theCouncil gritter spreading grit in Carradale on Wednesday (19thMay) at around 13.00. Could this be the same Argyll & ButeCouncil who couldn't afford the materials and manpower to gritthe B842 when we really needed it gritted? B.G.
OVER EXPOSED?CARRADALE CAMERA CLUB ANNUAL DINNER
The Glen Bar and Restaurant was the venue on Friday, 21stMay, for the Camera Club's Annual Dinner, which was attendedby a total of thirteen members and guests under the ableChairman-ship, Chair-womanship, Chair-personship of MrsMargaret Richardson, fresh from her adventures in Spain whichfortunately seem to have left no serious effects. Penny and her staff provided a meal which could well havegraced the tables of some of our classiest restaurants, theirefforts being received with well -merited appreciation, and aftercoffee had been served, prize winners received their trophies,namely Alan Harrow and Steve Partridge. Naturally the clubmembers wished to have photographs of the presentations, butit transpired that nobody had brought a camera. Fortunately,Mrs Elizabeth Vischer was present and a message was sentto her home, as a result of which one of her cameras wasprovided. The settings for the presentations were re-arranged,but the camera did not produce the expected flash of light.Careful examination showed that the instrument was lackingbatteries, but the situation was saved when Penny appearedfrom the kitchen with her digital camera to save our blushesand to save the day. The outgoing Secretary, David Mercer,took the camera and pressed the appropriate button, whereona notice appeared on the viewing screen indicating that newbatteries were required. However, a good photographer knowsher own camera, and after administering suitable chastisementto it, Penny persuaded it to take two extra shots.
Needless to say, despite these somewhat unprofessionalsetbacks, the evening proved a happy occasion, but there wasone more surprise for the company before they went home.Sounds of music emanating from the kitchen becamerecognisable as the refrain “Happy birthday to you”, a smallcake being placed before Mrs Vischer, much to her surprise.
On that happy note the Camera Club's year came to aclose. The new season will begin in September, on a date tobe decided. We hope that it will bring new members and youdo not have to be a budding David Bailey to enjoy attachmentto the Club. D.C.
UNDER IMPRESSEDAN APOLOGY
The editor wishes to apologise for an error and a technical faultin the June Antler. The report on the Ardrishaig Drama Festivalwas recorded inadvertently as the Arisaig Festival and therewas a cosmic shift on page ten when the A4 portrait page wastransmogrified into a two-page A3 PDF landscape page forprinting. This resulted in the frame containing the text slippingdown 3 millimetres and pushing planning applications intoMartin Mears item on the Scilly Island Cutter - certainly a ‘silly’mistake by the Editor.
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NETTED AT LASTAs a relative newcomer to the world ofcomputing and an even more juvenileenthusiast to the Internet, I am constantlyamazed at the reluctance of other elderly, andnot so elderly, 21st century men and women toenjoy the enormous advances in communi-cation and the pleasures of informationtechnology. From the days when teachers of businessstudies and languages in the 1970’s fought shyof anything which broke the traditions of theircraft, we still have those who have frozenfingers when required to press more than the‘on’ button of their TV set. With Sky and Free-sat already operating in Kintyre and Free-viewdigital broadcasting coming early next yearperhaps now is the time to get fingers into shapeon a computer keyboard and start enjoyingInternet opportunities which 50 years ago wouldhave been seen as space age technology and‘not for the like of us.’ Two recent introductions - Google mappingand the Freedom of Information Act - haveprovided a wealth of information to anyone whois interested in finding out more aboutthemselves and the world they live in. Google mapping allows the viewer to moveto anywhere in Britain on an ‘adopted and opento vehicular traffic’ road, or in other parts of theworld on main roads, (hard luck Hill 60) andtravel slowly down the road looking at houses,their gardens and what was hanging on thewashing line during 2009. You may wonderwhat value is attached to this facility, but if youare thinking of moving to a distant town orcountry a quick glance can reassure or put youoff moving away from the delights of Kintyre.Similarly you can see what changes have beenmade to places you have been to in the pastand plan journeys with an up-to-date knowledgeof what you may find on this year’s holiday. The Freedom of Information Act and web-sites set up to allow access have similaradvantages. To give but one example, Argyll &Bute Council’s archive on planning is open forinspection and with the help of Donald Kelly’sdeveloping ‘Kintyre on record’ web-site it ispossible to look up an address and find whetheror not you or your neighbour’s house hasplanning permission for that extra largeconservatory or extension. Not interested in the ‘blogs’? - often viewsexpressed by those unwilling to attach theirnames and take responsibility for theircomments - then don’t read them, but do tryDonald’s ‘Kintyre on record’ Johnny Durnan’s‘The Carradale Goat’ ‘The Kintyre CommunityForum’ and local articles on ‘Scribd/Kintyre/Carradale’. G.P.
BEAVERING - OFFDespite extensive advertising Kintyre CivicSociety’s outing on Saturday 16th Mayattracted only thirteen people. Starting fromCampbeltown at 10am the first stop was atCairnbaan where coffee and other stimulantsprepared members and guests for the steepclimb to Carnasserie Castle. After recovering,the bus moved on to Loch Melfort for lunch anda visit to Aduaine Gardens. Suitably impressedthe party were inspired by the simplicity ofBellanoch Church and the luxury of cream teasat Tayvallich. The final pleasure was thepossibility of viewing the new colony of beaversin Loch Coille Bharr.
Unfortunately despite a lengthy walk from theForestry Commission hut at Barnluasgan, andthe threat of the midges, the Beavers decidedto keep to their traditional perambulationsbetween dusk and dawn and not to showthemselves at such an unearthly hour. Slightlydisappointed the party had enjoyed the dayand were not deterred by a spot of rain atCarnasserie. If you are interested in civic affairs and wisheither to support the Kintyre Civic Society or tobe included on the next outing, please watchout for posters or get in contact with the KintyreCivic Chair/Secretary, Kate Singleton of‘Dunara’, Lochpark, Carradale, CampbeltownArgyll PA28 6SG.
DUNCAN McEACHRANProfessor Robert’s article on Duncan McNabMcEachran which appeared in last month’sAntler and was inserted on ‘Scribd’ by DonaldKelly,’ attracted the attention of another vet, P.David Green. who lives in Canada. He hasbeen in contact with Professor Roberts and iskeen to update his own McEachran research.
BEAVERING ONFrom The Sunday Times May 31, 2009Parts of an article by Jeremy Clarkson
“As we know, the economy is stagnant, weare up to our shoulders in debt and things arelikely to get worse. So imagine my surprise tofind the government has decided to spend£275,000 on 11 Norwegian beavers that willbe freed to roam wild in Scotland. As thisworks out at £25,000 each, I’m wondering ifthe money could have been better spent”. Mr Clarkson then goes on to make sometypically way-out suggestions but returns toenvironmental issues -
“To understand the problem, we need togo back to the 19th century and the creationof Yellowstone, the world’s first national park.Obviously man knew best, so to make sure itwas as diverse as possible, bears and wolveswere not encouraged with quite the samefervour as various ‘deery’ things. Which meantthat pretty soon the whole place was awashwith elk. Lovely. Unfortunately, elk absolutelylove aspen trees, which meant that soonenough they were all gone. And that was aproblem for Johnny beaver, because withoutthe aspens he couldn’t dam the rivers andstreams. So he moved out. And without thedams, the water meadows dried hard in thesummer months, meaning there was no grassfor the ‘deery’ things to eat. So they started tomove out as well. Unwilling to accept they’dmade a mess, the authorities blamed themigration on carnivores and started a cull ofwolves and bears. Which meant their numbersstarted to fall, too”. After more diversionary ploys Jeremyreturns to his main theme -
“Of course, the beaver enthusiasts willdismiss all this as nonsense and point to thered kites that were successfully reintroducedin the Chilterns a few years ago. Absolutely.I love to see these majestic birds soaring overthe cut on the M40 as I drive to London. Theylift my spirits. But did anyone notice the RSPBfindings last week? The sudden and dramaticdecline in the number of lapwings, woodwarblers and field-fares? Could this haveanything to do with the sudden re-emergenceof the airborne raptor?” Now whether you like Jeremy Clarksonor his equally way-out and anti-environmentalTV programme ‘Top Gear,’ as always, hemakes some interesting points. How far downthe road to re-establishing species can orshould we go - wolves, wild boars - the list isextensive and includes creatures capable ofexterminating some of our current speciesincluding Jeremy Clarkson and the AntlerEditor!
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5
6
COMMUNITY COUNCILDRAFT EKCC MINUTES
Thursday 6 May 2010Present: Elizabeth McMillan, Stuart Irvine,Andrea Hopkins, Ronnie Brownie, CouncillorRory Colville, Police Constable Ian MacRaeApologies: Shelagh Cameron, LachiePaterson, Tom AdamsVice Chairperson Andrea Hopkins welcomedeveryone present.Minutes Of Last Meeting: Proposed byElizabeth McMillan seconded by RonnieBrownie.Matters Arising From Last Minutes:• Cheque has now been received for £50 from
Colin Burgess for dog foul bins.• Notice boards - no update as yet• Treasurers report - Accounts now audited,
as at 31 March 2010 balance £1570.93, Nooutstanding accounts.
• Parking problems - update, no update assuch. Police Constable Ian MacRae statedthat as long as there was access for a fireengine and cars were not causing anobstruction to the pavement there was not alot that could be done. Councillor Colville totake forward as well.
• Planning - extension at Portrigh has beenreferred back to Council for planningpermission again as the building is higher thanit should be.• Roads - gritting, B842 past Carradale carriedover to next meeting of Area Committee.• Passing place signs - it was stated that theseare a nightmare as they are too bright and veryreflective at night. A suggestion was made thatthe signs could possibly be tilted so as not tobe reflective.Correspondence:• War Memorial - leaflet• Argyll & Bute Local Licensing Forum - letter• Kintyre Initiative Working Group - minutes• Heritage Paths Scotland - brochure• Scottish Health Council, CONNECT - leaflet• Scottish Health Council - Annual Report• Tangy Wind-farm Extension - leaflet• Chris Bell, Southern and Scottish EnergyOffshore Wind-farm Machrihanish - ExhibitionJuly, dates laterAny Other Competent Business:• Corner at Ugadale, near vets very dangerous,could be an accident waiting to happen.Proposed further discussion at next communitycouncil meeting.• Alan Walker brought up the suggestion ofcars going too fast down Shore Road and
would it be possible to have 20s plenty signsor speed bumps put in place. This could beanother proposed discussion for thecommunity council at the next meeting.• Argyll and Bute Council - our numbers have
changed• Council Tax - 01546 605511• Benefits-01546 605512• Payments Line - 01546 605515• Operational Services - 01546 605514(this includes roads and lighting faults, specialuplifts, wheelie bin purchase, abandonedvehicles, fly tipping, pest control, car parkingfines and faults, dog fouling and dog controland alt general enquiries).Alternatively you can visit your local Servicepoint at the Burnet Building, John Street,Campbeltown,Vice Chairperson Andrea Hopkins thankedeveryone for attending. A.H.
DRAFT EKCC MINUTESThursday 3 June 2010
Present: Shelagh Cameron, Stuart Irvine,Andrea Hopkins, Ronnie Brownlie, ElizabethMcMillan, Councillor John SempleApologies: Lachie Paterson, Tom AdamsConvenor Shelagh Cameron welcomedeveryone presentMinutes of Last Meeting: Proposed byElizabeth McMillan seconded by Stuart IrvineMatters Arising From Last Minutes:• Notice boards: Eric Norman has beenapproached but had to decline as he is toobusy with other work, convenor ShelaghCameron and Tom Adams to take forward• Planning at Portrigh, Bruce’s Cottage; Anamendment was made back to original plan. Adiscussion followed about how planningregulations can be flouted, and what role theCommunity Council should take in this. It wasagreed that it would be alright for theCommunity Council to make people aware oflocal plans, not to take sides.• Treasurers Report: Accounts have now beenaudited, balance in Community Councilaccount-£1511.06, Community CouncilCommon Good Fund - £52,226• Road Closures: Between Lochgilphead andInveraray from 30 May to 25 June 2010,between 9pm and 6am, Monday to Friday• Pontoons, Toilets / Showers: A discussiontook place on the viability of acquiringpontoons, toilets / showers for CarradaleHarbour. Different suggestions / ideas wereput forward by Mike Hurst and Stuart Irvine,Harbour Users Group and Shelagh Cameron.Convenor Shelagh Cameron has a meetingwith Arthur McCulloch, Argyll and Bute Councilon Tuesday 15 June. Councillor John Semple
suggested that it would be a good idea tocontact Sandy MacTaggart, Head of Service,Argyll and Bute Council, and put forward theideas on the improvement to CarradaleHarbour and the importance of this to theeconomic development of Carradale and thesurrounding areas. Carradale could be astopping place for yachts etc between Tarbertand Campbeltown.But firstly before any of this can go ahead1. As landowners of the harbour Argyll andBute Council should be totally involved,2. A feasibility study, engineering consultationshould take place,3. The other landowners and fishermen’scooperative should be consulted. When all ofthis is in place a plan can be drawn up and putforward to an open meeting where everyonewould be welcome.Planning: Torrisdale - new house, Lephinbeg
- ok; Dippen - barn, similar to existing one- ok; Greenhill -1.5 story house to be built- ok; Bruce Cottage - already discussed;Lockpark - backhouse - ok; Ugadale -agricultural building - ok
• Cour windfarm: consultation date forcomments to be in by Sunday 20 June 2010 -very large booklets to read and digestCorrespondence:• NHS Highland - Dunstaffnage, Tuesday 22
June 2010• Local Area Community Planning - Tarbert
Academy, Saturday 19 June 2010• Mental Health Argyll and Bute - letter• GRAB Trust - leaflet• Kintyre Initiative - Friday 11 June 2010, 10
am Campbeltown• Scoping document offshore development
Machrihanish - comments by Wednesday16 June 2010
• War memorial - application to get memorialre-lettered
Any Other Competent Business:An extraordinary meeting of the HallCommittee is to take place on Tuesday 22June 2010 at 7pm. Notices are to be put uparound Carradale. Please come along andsupport your village hall.Convenor Shelagh Cameron thankedeveryone for attending A.H.Next Meeting: Thursday 1 July 2010 at 7pm
SINCERE THANKSI would like to thank all friends and neighboursfor their help, cards and get well wishes duringmy unexpected visits to various hospitals. I'mvery glad to say that I'm almost back to mynormal healthy self, minus one dodgey gallbladder! Shelagh Cameron.
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CAMPBELTOWN? NO!EDUCATION CONSULTATION
‘Argyll and Bute Council has agreed thedetails of its informal consultationexercise regarding the education budget.As agreed at the Executive meeting onMay 17, four events have now beenorganised at which key stakeholders willbe invited to discuss how the councilspends its education budget. Thesessions will be in Lochgilphead on June8, Helensburgh on June 10, Oban onJune 16 and Dunoon on June 17’. ‘Councillor Isobel Strong, Argyll &Bute’s spokesperson for Education andLifelong Learning, said’: “The purpose of the sessions is toconsult with key interest groups on theprovision of education, make them awareof the Council’s current budget positionand get their views on how the authorityshould prioritise areas of spend withineducation. This will not be a discussionon individual schools. What we areseeking peoples views on is education asa whole, and how Argyll & Bute can bestmeet future challenges whilst stillmaintaining our commitment to providinghigh quality education to the children andyoung people in our area”. ‘The meetings will be opened byCouncillor Strong and moderated by KeirBloomer, formerly vice-chair of Learningand Teaching Scotland and a member ofthe group which wrote ‘A Curriculum forExcellence.’ During each event there willbe smaller breakout discussion sessions.Mr Bloomer will then head a session tosummarise the views which were raisedin the smaller groups. The list of thoseinvited is:- Head teachers and seniorschool management, parent councilrepresentatives, union representatives,local members, local media, arearepresentatives, and two senior pupilsnominated from each secondary school’.This information was released on Friday28th May with the first date being lessthan ten days later.Since issues crucial to Campbeltown arenot on the agenda and with Campbeltownequally excluded from the list of meetings- what’s changed. The Council will beable to avoid criticism on the cuts whichare bound to come without dealing withspecific local problems. They can statethat few Campbeltownians attend themeeting in Lochgilphead 40 miles awayand and have missed the opportunity toparticipate in educational planning. Ed.
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SHELLFISH? - NO?ABC IDENTIFY ALGAL TOXINS
IN TWO AREAS‘Monitoring work undertaken by thecouncil has found increased levels of thetoxins at Stonefield on Loch Fyne, and inthe Sound of Gigha’. ‘Eating shellfish such as cockles,mussels or razor fish from these areasmay pose a risk to human health, andnotices to warn the public and casualgatherers have been posted at variouslocations on the shore’. ‘Commercial shellfish harvesters inthese areas have been contacted, andsteps have been taken to postponeharvesting until algae levels subside’. ‘The Council continues to monitor thesituation, and when the levels subside thewarning notices and raised levels ofnaturally occurring restrictions will beremoved’. ‘It is a sensible precaution to avoideating shellfish from these areas untilfurther notice. A further statement will beissued when the levels have sufficientlydropped’.
TANKS FULL?NOT REALLY
MAY RAINFALL AT GROGPORTThe first four months of 2010 saw belowaverage rainfall totals and the Maystatistics continued this pattern. The total rainfall for the month was39mm (about 1.5 inches). The monthlyrange for May is normally between 32 &195mm (2001 & 2003) so this month’stotal was very much at the lower end ofthe range. Significant rain (10mm) fell onjust one occasion on May 14th. There were showers recordingbetween 2-5mm on 6 days. Just a trace(<1mm) on a further 8 days, and nothingat all recorded on 16 days… half of thedays in May. This was good news for thoseholiday makers who opted to visit our areain May but perhaps not so good forvegetable gardeners or for those hopingto boost their private water suppliesbefore the Summer.However, past record keeping experiencetells us that things generally balance outover the year. If summer continues to bedry, perhaps we could be in for a wetautumn? Only time will tell. M.L.
ANTS RULE? - NO!With slightly warmer weather coming and going it seemsto be the time for ants to become a household problem.A senior postal operative in East Kintyre has offered thefollowing advice - After identifying the main source, laya trail of sugar to a saucer of preferably white wine(Kintyre ants have their preferences too) and the antswill enter the dish and die happy. Whether this is an‘antediluvian’ remedy or in line with best practice is notknown, but certainly the expert in the advert above maybe able to help.
DONALD (P.D.M.) KELLYAlthough Donald has been in hospital recently hecontinues to support local congregations with his musicaltalent as well as supplying the Antler and other agencieswith his researches. We wish him a speedy reduction inthe number and extent of his recent problems and lookforward to receiving many more interesting articles.
WATERFOOT CEMETERYMore often than not on a walk past Waterfoot’scemetery one cannot pass without noticing thecryptic message on the back of Duncan andAgnes McDougall’s tombstone high above thesurrounding wall. It reads ‘Time is short, Deathis sure, Sin’s the wound, And Christ’s the cure.’However with John MacMillan providinganother article in this issue of the Antler therewas good reason to take a closer look at thestones of John’s family, particularly that of hisgrand-father John and his father George. Delightful as the cemetery is now, in thepast it must have had more of the quality foundin the north, west and island communities withthe stones clearly seen on their small hill byfishermen returning by sea to the village. All graveyards are included on Argyll &Bute Council’s web-site and carry a list ofinterments, and details of the namesassociated with burials in the past and thoseintending to take up residence in the future. Of particular note in Waterfoot, in Scottishnineteenth and twentieth century terms, is thesmall number of very young deaths, a fewyoung men dying in their teens or twenties anda surprising number of men and women livingwell into their late seventies. Unfortunately the list is not up to date asthere have been burials since 1958; Tibbie wholived at ‘Rosalie’ was buried in an unmarkedgrave at the south-west corner of the cemeteryin the 1980s and there may well be others,however new burials are unlikely unless theperson concerned is a family member.NAME Grave number. Field 8 (Waterfoot)BALFOUR, Margaret 554 8BLUE, Catherine, d.1879 564 8BLUE, John, 564 8BLUE, John, 583 8
A total of 125 interments from 1776 to2010. The record for Brackley covers 1036burials from 1805 to 2010 including some whoare still very much alive! Incidentally in 1994 the Council insistedthat there was an immediate and urgent needfor an extension to Brackley. After trial boresbehind the Church, a field at Brackley wasbought and fenced, but 16 years later it has stillnot been needed. If you are concerned tosecure a lair at Brackley (purchase of single lair£486.00, 3 Interments per lair) you shouldcontact Community Services at the BurnetBuilding in Campbeltown - Telephone number01586 559000 G.P.
8
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THOSE WERE THE DAYSEN ROUTE TO CANADA
As the Queen Elizabeth was pulled slowly outof Southampton Harbour, I was still on the railwhen the tugs let go their lines and she movedslowly under her own power past the Isle ofWight. The wooden rail caps (teak I think) wereengraved with hundreds of US servicespersonnel’s initials who crossed the Atlanticduring the war. Some were full names, othersincluded towns and states. As we entered the English Channel it wastime to find my cabin and explore as much ofthe ship as I was allowed. Being in steeragerestricted the area. She was considered to bea luxury liner but was quite utilitarian whencompared to today’s cruise ships.
We ran into some heavy weather abouthalf-way across which caused the ship to rolllong and slow cancelling dining for severalhours. After settling into my cabin, I sat therefor a while contemplating the past two daysand wondering about the future with someanxiety and possibly fear.
We entered New York Harbour to aresounding welcome. Fire boats with hornssounding pumped huge arcs of water thatproduced brilliant rainbows in the morning sun.US Navy and Coast Guard ships with theircrews lining the rails stood to attention as theirhorns sounded when we passed slowly by.Dozens of pleasure boats with flags flying andhorns sounding also welcomed us into theharbour. I was on the rail again as the tugsberthed us just behind the Queen Mary whowas getting ready to cast off for Southampton.She was late departing because of fog.
As the mooring lines from the QueenElizabeth were being pulled ashore it remindedme of a conversation that I had with a Davaarcrew member on the Shore Road, Carradaleseveral years before. He and father were crewon R.M.S. Davaar. During that conversation hesaid that father was renowned for his accuracywhen throwing the heaving line ashore. Thatis the light line which is attached to the heaviermooring line used to pull the mooring lineashore. The heaving line end is woven orknotted into a ball called the Monkey Fist whichgives the line end weight for throwing.
My cabin deck was the last to disembarkand I was directed into a cavernous likebuilding for an interview with Immigration andCustoms Inspection.
The hull known as Cunard 534 layunfinished for quite some time at Clyde Bank.With the threat of war work increased but wasnot finished when war was declared. Theunfinished liner, then the Queen Elizabeth (I’m
not sure when she was christened) to avoidbeing bombed, slipped from the Clyde duringdarkness to New York to be finished as a troopship. (My previous notes) After many crossingsand after the war she returned to Southamptonfor renovations into a passenger liner. At 38673tons and carrying 2288 passengers she wasthen the largest liner with a mean Trans-Atlantic speed of 32.5 knots was also thefastest.
The Queen Mary, also a troop ship duringthe war was built at Clyde Bank and launchedin 1934. At 81235 tons and carrying 20501passengers with a mean Trans-Atlantic speedof 31.7 knots captured the Blue Riband of theAtlantic from the French liner Normandie.
The Blue Riband (pronounced /’bluːˈrɪbәnd/) is an unofficial accolade given to thepassenger liner crossing the Atlantic Ocean inregular service with the record highest speed.The term was borrowed from horse racing andwas not widely used until after 1910. Under theunwritten rules, the record is based on averagespeed rather than passage time because shipsfollow different routes. Traditionally, a ship isconsidered a ‘record breaker’ if it wins theeastbound speed record, but is not creditedwith Blue Riband unless it wins the moredifficult westbound record against the GulfStream. Source: Wikipedia
Although the Queen Elizabeth was fasterI’m not sure if she ever received the BlueRiband. However, in 1952 the 53332 ton linerUnited States crossed from New York toSouthampton at a mean 35.59 knots, almost 4knots faster than the Queen Mary, therebyreclaimed the Blue Riband of the Atlantic forthe United States. The liner United States was
built to specifications of the US Navy tofacilitate her conversion into a troop ship in theadvent of war. As airline travel increased theliner United States was ‘mothballed’ for severalyears until being purchased by the DisneyGroup and converted into a cruise ship. Shewas the forerunner of a large cruise ship fleetnow plying the Oceans of the World. TheR.M.S. Queen Mary ended her passengerservice to become a floating hotel, docked atLong Beach California where my wife and Itoured her several years ago.
The R.M.S Queen Elizabeth ended hercareer being sold for scrap. She was beingdismantled in Singapore when fire broke outand she sank.
The Normandie of 83432 tons waslaunched at St. Nazaire France in 1932. Shecarried 2170 passengers and was in New YorkHarbour when war broke out. She wasexpropriated by the US Maritime Commissionfor conversion to a troop ship, in the course ofthe conversion fire broke out and she capsized.
So ended the Trans-Atlantic passengerservice as ships were unable to cope with thecompetition from increasing air travel. I exited the Customs Building into thesunshine of the New World. My mother withfour sisters and one brother crossed fromSouthampton to New York on the QueenElizabeth three months later.
John MacMillan.
UNDER OFFERM.A.C.C. BUY-OUT?
The first stage of its campaign was to canvaseveryone in the PA28 area of Kintyre and toobtain at least a 50% turnout by local voters -this was achieved magnificantly by the end ofMay. Machrihanish Airbase extends to 1,025acres, contains over 200 buildings, leisure andextensive catering facilities and has one of thelongest runways in Europe. The Company asks “Can we afford to loseit?” The airbase requires at least £990,000 ofcapital Investment and confirmation that allcontamination costs will be met by the MOD. MACC's initial business plan shows theairbase to be a very affordable and worthwhileproject. The community will not be heldresponsible for the airbase liabilities and thescheduled air service and HIAL employees willbe unaffected by the buy-out. In you are not resident in the PA28 areabut are interested in the the progress of theinitiative visit www.machrihanish.org or call -Ian Wardrop on 07793040531, Mary Turner on01586 554274 or Jim Martin on 01586 550066.
9
John MacMillan
EAT YOUR HEART OUTBARRA
VISITORS LAND ON CARRADALEBEACH
A bunch of flying enthusiasts droppedin on Carradale Bay on Sunday, threemicro-lights and two fixed wing microplanes touched down on the beachand taxied over to the carpark end fora break. Brewing up a cuppa theychatted to the locals and visitors whomhad a good look over the aircraft andequipment had come over from the Isleof Arran having stayed there overnightmeeting up with a friend. They said the beach was amagnificent place and they would hopeto return at a later date with makingarrangements for landing again. I asusual had my camera on hand andwas invited up for a flight in the blueand white Zenair aircraft by pilot Joe(and thanks Joe for the experience)and got some aerial pics of the area,one shown of us just taking of with thecaravan park below. After packing upthe aircraft took off one by one and dida fly past en route to their nextdestination Ettrick Bay on Bute. Firstpic is the pilots with their Arran friendin the black tea-shirt.Report & pictures from the ‘Carradale
Goat’ web-site by Johnny Durnan.
MUSEUM REPAIR ‘Campbeltown Museum will be closedto the public for a period of four to sixweeks from Monday May 24. Theclosure will allow the roof, which hasleaked for some time, to be properlyrepaired. Councillor Neil Mackay,Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson forArts, Culture, Leisure and Sport, saidthe work was badly needed. “Therepairs will include replacement of allthe glass in the skylights with a specialreflective glass which will control boththe amount of light and heat cominginto the gallery on hot, sunny days andthe amount of heat going out on coldones. This will create a betterenvironment in which to store anddisplay the precious items ofCampbeltown's history which themuseum holds.” The work is part of thecouncil's 2010/11 capital programme.The authority will make a furtherannouncement later in the summerwhen the museum is ready for re-opening’.
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11
PARDON ME FOR ASKING - GRANTEDMID ARGYLL KINTYRE & ISLANDS AREA COMMITTEE : 2010-2011 : THIRD SECTOR GRANTS
ORGANISATION Grant PURPOSE
Tarbert Youth Group £2,500 Running costs and the development of the youth garden
Coisir og Dhail Riata £1,195 Attendance at Mods
Girlguiding Argyll & Bute £500 Guiders training weekend at Benmor Centre, Dunoon
Crinan Classic Limited £0 Crinan Classics Event - no voluntary status
Museum of Islay Life £1,000 Museum operating costs and an air show
Mid Argyll Pipe Ban £1,000 Band uniforms
Bruichladdich Hall Committee £1,000 Disabled ramp and replacement fire doors
lonad Chaluim Chille lie £1,320 Gaelic beginners courses on Islay
Campbeltown Com Business £1,500 Replacement of cinema lens
Mid Argyll Youth Project £1,750 Operating costs of project
Tarbert Duke of Edinburgh £500 Camping and emergency equipment
University of the Third Age £0 Text books - Unallocated reserves
Kintyre Juv Pipe Band Assoc £1,000 Operating casts for two bands and helping a third
Total Recommended £14,765. Budget for 3rd Sector £32,000 Balance £17,235
THE SHOP IS OPEN Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 8am to 1pm & 2pm to 5pm.Thursday 8am to 1pm. Sundays: One hour only from 10am to 11am TELEPHONE 01583 431725
THE POST OFFICE IS OPEN Monday to Saturday 9am-1pmTry our freshly baked morning rolls, crusty bread, tea bread and cakes, all baked in our old-fashioned stone oven
TOM GRANTPARTNERSHIPA R C H I T E C T S
41 Longrow, CampbeltownArgyll PA28 6ER
Tel: 01586 554727 Fax: 01586 55172724 Argyll St. Lochgilphead
Argyll PA31 8NETel: 01546 603050
Tom Grant Dip.,Arch., R.I.B.A., R.I.A.S
Mobile 0370 538 661
QUALITY HOUSE COALSSMOKELESS & COOKER FUEL
CENTRAL HEATING OILROAD DIESEL & TRACTOR FUEL
Fuel MerchantKINLOCH ROAD
CAMPBELTOWN PA28 6EG FAX: (01586 552039)
FREE DELIVERY(MONDAY TO FRIDAY)
D.McNAIR& SON
TELEPHONE(01586)552020552039
THE OBAN CONCERN FOR PALESTINE GROUPGAZA PETITION
The Oban Concern for Palestine Group took to the streets on Saturday for a vigil and petition onbehalf of the people of Gaza. In little over an hour at The Clock Tower Station Square Oban theycollected more than 200 signatures. These included not just people from Oban but from othercountries as well. One particularly memorable signature was provided by a lady who recentlycelebrated her 101st birthday! The Petition called for an end to the blockade of Gaza which hasnow lasted for more than three years. Further, after the breaches of International Law a few days earlier which had led to the deathsof nine people involved in trying to get aid and vital supplies into Gaza, the petition also demandedan independent and international investigation into the incident. The mercy mission totaled almost 700 people from about 30 countries one of them being an89 year old survivor of the holocaust.
The Oban petition is now being forwarded to The Foreign Secretary. Further information fromGraeme Pagan Neaveton Oban. 01631 563737. [email protected]
THE PICTURE HOUSESat 19 June 2010 for 6 days at 8.00pm
Robin Hood (12A)
Sat 26 June 2010 for 6 days at 8.00pmPrince of Persia -
The Sands of Time (12A)
3 July 2010 for 6 days at 8.00pmSex And The City 2 (15)
EVENTS & FESTIVALS GRANTS
Mull Kintyre Music Fest £3,000 Assist running costs
Argyll Drama Festival £985 To host Argyll Drama Festival
Kilmartin House Museum £1,493 Wood,willow & whistle - 3 day event for school children
Jura Music Festival £1,000 Host festival, workshops and Feis
Campbeltown Traders £0 Christmas lighting - Organisation has no voluntary status
Mid Argyll Music Festival £1,000 Operating costs
Tarbert Seafood Festival £2,000 Hosting festival
Islay Jazz Festival £1,000 Host festival
Mull of Kintyre Run £1,230 Operating costs annual 10k and half marathon
Total Recommended £11,708. Budget for events £15,000. Balance £3,291
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CARRADALE GOLF CLUBLADIES SECTION
On Sunday 6th June, Carradale Golf Club played host to 69 lady golfersfor The Ladies Open Competition, with ladies from Kintyre, Arran andSkelmorlie participating. The condition of the course under the care ofGreenkeeper, Robert Strang was superb, and with the weatherremaining fine, everyone made the most of their day. The results are as follows: SCRATCH: First : Laura McGeachy 75 Carradale Second: Cathy McGlynn 80 Tarbert Third: Ann Gallacher 81 Machrihanish HANDICAP: First: Ellie Jones Net 62 Lamlash Second: Rachel Wren Net 62 Lamlash Third: Kate McAdam Net 62 Lamlash SILVER DIVISION: Nearest Pin in 2 at 2nd: Viv Parks Shiskine Longest Drive at 18th Laura McGeachy Carradale BRONZE DIVISION: Nearest Pin in 2 at 15th Linda Brannigan Dunaverty Longest Drive at 4th Aileen Latona Shiskine EITHER DIVISION: Nearest Pin at 8th Margaret Campbell Carradale
THE MORTON TROPHY: The Morton Trophy is an annual competition in the Ladies golfing calendar. This year 4 contestants took part with the eventual winner being Margaret Richardson (36), 4 and 3. Runner - up was Janice Hanning (34). M.C.
CAMPBELTOWN MOTOR COMPANYSnipefield Industrial Estate, Campbeltown
The Antler’s ‘bum bag’ has not been snatched, but is a little lighter thanit should be and not helped by some advertisers delaying payinginvoices. At the present time eleven advertisers owe a total of £297 foradverts which appeared as long ago as January. So the Antler Editor’sannual ‘flying’ trip to the beaches of the Costa Solvency has not beencancelled but simply postponed while the financial (c)ash clouds ofIceland’s banking system settle and a healthy respect for invoicesrestored!
d a v i d i n g r a marchitectural + art services
- Professional Architectural Artist - Architectural Design Services
TO THE PERSON WHO LEFT THEIR DOG’S DROPPINGS“The dog warden has been informed and will be watching out for you.This bag of dog poo did not drop out of someone’s hand by mistake asit was shoved in to the side of the plants at Abbeyfield ResidentialHome in Carradale. The path is the front entrance to the house and isalso a right of way for the public through the grounds to the the housesbehind, so whoever you are, we will be watching out for you”. J.D.
A TAIL END STORYA ‘CARRADALE GOAT’ NON STATISTICAL DEPOSIT
CARRADALE FOOTBALLThe local football season got underway on the 16th of May, with 10clubs participating in the League and Cup competitions. Carradale gotoff to the best possible start winning their opening four League games.The first match of the season the team traveled to Tarbert to take on‘Tayinloan’ and came home with 4-1 victory. The next week they beatthe ‘Wee Toun’ 5-1 at Kinloch Park. The following two matches wereplayed at Wellpark Field beating ‘Kintyre Select’ 9-0 and last year’schampions - Ardrishaig 3-1. It was good to see young RyanMcConnachie making his debut scoring against the ‘Wee Toun’ and‘Kintyre select’. Carradale’s next five league matches are away to‘Kilmartin’ on the 13th of June and to the ‘Meadow’s on Wednesday16th June. Carradale then travel to Lochgilphead to play the‘Wanderer’s on the 20th June and a home match with ‘Kintyre Athletic’on Wednesday the 23rd of June. Finally in June ‘Southend’ will travelto Carradale during the week ending the 27th. D.McA.
THE ANTLER WELCOMESCONTRIBUTORS, SUBSCRIBERS &
ADVERTISERSPlease contact the Editor at Benbecula, Waterfoot, Carradale,
