Jean Hunter Memorial Prize - Molly Clark

Mr Pugh

Mr Pugh loathed his candy shop full of liquorice swirls, lemon eclairs and other mouth watering treats. Mr Pugh was an extraordinary horrid creased old man with drab grey hair and a prickly expanding beard.  He had jet black eyes and of course  smelled like rotten fish.  All the children  hated this putrid old man and there was a little rhyme they sung to each other about him,

    Mr Pugh, Mr Pugh,  smells just like an old mans shoe, 

   Liquorice sweets, candy treats,

   He hates them more than he hates you.

   Sitting on a rusty seat he'll never eat another sweet.

   We don't know why he doesn't fly maybe it's just his way. 

   Why doesn't  he go catch a plane, it would be the perfect run-away.

    Up and down, up and down round the world in a year,

    I don't care where he goes as long as it's not here.

  One day a boy called Colin spent his pocket money on a action man figure he had wanted for ages. He was ashamed of himself though because he was also hungry and he ran to Mr Pugh's candy shop.  He pressed his nose on the glass and stared at a £1 lemon sherbet.  Mr Pugh was muttering something bad to himself when he turned around on his rusty chair and screamed 

“OI! YOU FILTHY RATBAG, STOP MUCKING UP MY WINDOW!”  so Colin slunk off.

At school Collin called over his friend Toby.

“OK, this is the plan.”he whispered, “I go snitch the candy from the store at night, only a box full, and I bring it to your house, Toby, and we share, OK?”asked Colin.

 “OK.” his friend agreed. 

Colin ran to the shop that night, it wasn't locked because the lock was broken. He crept inside  and took a box of lemon sherbets. At Toby's house Colin put down the box and they had six each.

 “Yum!” they said together.

This time Toby had an idea. “I've got a dare” he said.

 “What?” said Colin.

“One of us has to go and tell Mr Pugh how horrid his candy is.” Toby sniggered. 

“We'll take it in turns, I'll go first.”

When Toby arrived at the store he put on an silly face and said cheekily “Your candy tastes like rotten fish eggs!” 

Mr Pugh's response was an ignorant “SHOO!” and Toby did . 

When Collin got there he smiled and said “Hi, I stole some candy, it was so delish I just couldn't resist.” 

But the response this time was “ARGGGHHH!”.  Mr Pugh ran to look at his recipe book, under the words 'LITTLE BOY INTO SWEET'.

 “NOOOOOO!” Colin screamed as he looked, but it was too late.

The next day there was no sign of Colin.

“Maybe Mr Pugh chucked him in a dustbin?” Toby said to his friend, but when they went to the shop to check, there was just a poster on the window with a picture of Pugh's latest invented sweet on it. 

The writing above said ' NEW! CRUNCHY COLIN CANDY, only 53p!'. 

By Molly Clark

  

 

                              

Jean Hunter Memorial Prize - Beth Clark

SEALS

A flash of silver ,a streak of brown,

Gliding through the sea, 

A seal lifts its big brown head and carefully watches me;

Big brown and shining,

Darting through the bright blue sea so fast,

Shining in the sparkling sea,

Quietly zooming past. 

By Beth Clark

Jean Hunter Memorial Prize - Bill Hunt

TO ISLAY WHISK ME AWAY.

 

A poem for my grandchildren who live on Islay.

 

Hip Hip Hooray,

Perhaps soon one day,

I will be off to Islay.

Quite a long way,

Will take most of the day,

But the island takes my breath away.

 

Up at five,

Grandma will drive,

Shortly after six,

We’ll be on the M6

And at 7 I feel,

We will have passed through Keele.

When at Tebay,

We are more than halfway!

 

Arrive at the ferry,

Feeling very merry.

Off in a hurry,

When I have eaten my chicken curry.

The sea is calm,

So I tell Grandma there is no need for alarm.

 

Going past Jura,

The Paps reach up to the sky.

Made it at last,

As the lifeboat station we have passed.

Step onto the isle,

With a great big smile.

 

 

Off up the hill we go.

 No snow.

Then we go round a bend,

And into Bridgend.

All the motorists at us wave,

I wish everyone on the M6,

Like that would behave!

Past the long beach,

What a wonderful view.

 

I think of Islay over and over,

Then Grandma says to me,

“Asleep you have been!”

And I realize it was all just a dream.

But dreams come true

And one day this one will too.

 

By Bill Hunt.

Legal Opinion on Calmac Sunday Sailings to Stornoway

Gordon Jackson QC 

- from the West Highland Free Press

I HAVE BEENinstructed in connection with a proposal by 

Caledonian MacBrayne to introduce Sunday ferries between 

Stornoway and Ullapool. 

At present the regular ferry between Stornoway and Ullapool 

does not run on a Sunday. I assume that this is because of the 

religious feeling on Lewis against a Sunday ferry and a decision by 

Caledonian MacBrayne to give effect to that. 

I am not at this stage considering whether or not, in general 

terms, Caledonian MacBrayne can be prevented from running a 

Sunday ferry if they wish to do so. The precise issue for the moment 

is the apparent reason given by Caledonian MacBrayne as to why 

they feel obliged to begin this service. 

Put shortly, Caledonian MacBrayne seem to be suggesting that 

they are obliged to provide this service because of the Equality Act 

2006 and indeed claim to have Counsel’s Opinion to that effect. I 

have not had sight of any such Opinion and do not know precisely 

what is being argued but Caledonian MacBrayne have made 

reference to Section 46 of the Equality Act which makes 

discrimination on the grounds of religious belief (which includes a 

lack of belief) unlawful. The argument seems to be that Caledonian 

MacBrayne in not running a service would be unlawfully 

discriminating against those people who wish the service and be 

doing so on the grounds of religious belief. 

I find it very difficult to accept or indeed fully understand this 

argument. It is certainly unlawful to discriminate in the provision 

of services on the grounds of religion. It is, however, in my opinion, 

quite clear what that truly refers to. If a service is being provided, 

i.e. a ferry is running on a particular date, it would be unlawful to 

deny that service to any person because of their religious belief or 

lack of it. Put simply, it would be unlawful to have a ferry running 

but deny access to, for example, a Jew or Catholic or for that matter, 

an atheist. 

It is in my opinion an entirely different matter to decide for 

whatever reason that a particular service will not be provided to 

anyone. In that situation all are being treated equally in that no 

person of any belief or none can travel on the ferry. 

It cannot, therefore, in my opinion, be argued that this anti 

discrimination legislation places a legal obligation on Caledonian 

MacBrayne to provide a particular service. Nor does it matter what 

the reason for not providing the service is. Put another way, this 

legislation cannot force any body or person to provide a service 

which they do not wish to provide at all. 

I should, of course, re-state that I am not at all suggesting that 

Caledonian MacBrayne can be prevented from providing this 

service if they so wish. I do, however, disagree with their apparent 

justification for so doing. 

GORDON JACKSON QC 

Advocates Library, Parliament House, 

EDINBURGH, EH1 2RF 

2nd June, 2009 

An t-Ògmhios

The month of June, An t-Ògmhios in Gaelic, may be translated as the month of youth, the young, as in MacLennan’s Faclair Gaidhlig.  As so many of the Gaelic names for months and seasons relate directly to the natural world and agriculture, it may be that the name ‘month of youth’ refers to the young growth of grass and crops, and of young animals.  Most important was the thriving of young calves, as cattle have been considered the wealth of the Highlands and Islands, and also the growth of foals, lambs, goat kids, deer calves, and the nestlings and newly fledged birds.

In the ancient Irish Gaelic, the time from about 13^th May through 9^th June is known as the month of the hawthorn. The hawthorn, Droigheann in Gaelic, is of the Rosaceae plant family of plants, and blooms in May and early June. This hardy small tree is covered in copious pink-tinged white, scented flowers. This year we have an abundant flowering of the hawthorns in field hedges and verges around Islay, a hopeful sign of plentiful hawthorn berries, the ‘haws’, for birds and for jelly-makers in the coming Autumn months.

Susan Campbell

HIE Chairman issues personal statement over conflict of interest claim

Personal statement by William Roe

10 June, 2009

 

“When I was appointed Chair of HIE, I agreed with the Chief Executive of HIE and the Managing Director of Rocket Science UK Ltd, that we should immediately put in place a protocol to manage potential conflicts of interest that would arise if HIE and Rocket Science were to continue to have contractual business relationships.    Both parties agreed that such a protocol should be established, the effect of which would be that I, as Chair of both bodies, would be completely excluded from any and all aspects of the business relationship between the parties.   The protocol was established and has been in existence ever since.

 

The principles on which the protocol was established were as follows:

 

1          Rocket Science should be neither advantaged nor disadvantaged in its potential business relationship with HIE as a result of my appointment to the Chair of HIE and my role as non-executive Chair of Rocket Science UK Ltd;

 

2          The Chair should be totally excluded by both bodies from any and all aspects of the business relationship between the two bodies.  This should include informal dialogue about potential business, invitations to tender being issued, tenders being prepared, contracts being conducted, the submission of reports of contracts undertaken, and any work being commissioned on a non-competitive basis;

 

3          The Chair should record on a regular basis in the HIE Register of Interests information about each contract that had been undertaken by Rocket Science for HIE.  This information typically includes the title of the contract, the value of the work, and the period in which it was undertaken;

 

4            Information about all contracts awarded to Rocket Science by HIE should be included in the HIE Annual Report to ensure total public transparency.

 

When the review of Rocket Science contracts was initiated by HIE, I looked afresh at the respective roles I play in both HIE and Rocket Science.  For more than 4 years now, I have been totally excluded by both parties from any aspect of the business relationship between them.  As a result of the protocol that was established, no conflicts of interest have arisen during that time. 

However, I also asked myself if there could be an even higher standard of separation of functions that would prevent any possible perception of a conflict of interest arising in the future.     As a result, I decided on 21 May that, irrespective of the outcome of the HIE Review, I would completely separate my public service functions from my private business interests.  Accordingly I will be stepping down as Chair and Director of Rocket Science and selling my shares in the company from 30 June.  I informed the HIE Chief Executive and the Scottish Government of my decision on 2 June and my Rocket Science colleagues on 4 June.

Jura Ferry - Council Press Release

JURA FERRY

Argyll and Bute Council has ensured that Jura residents and visitors have not been without a vehicular ferry for more than a few hours over the past week, despite the breakdown of the regular vessel the Eilean Dhiura. The original replacement boat secured by the authority to cover the Islay-Jura route, the Margaret Sinclair, had to leave to fulfil another contract on Sunday afternoon. However, the Council managed to secure the services of a Calmac vessel, which arrived on site on Sunday evening and will remain in operation until the Eilean Dhiura returns later in the week. Argyll and Bute Council’s spokesperson on Transportation and Infrastructure, Councillor Duncan MacIntyre, said: “It is obviously extremely disappointing for all concerned that this situation arose in the first place, and we were very aware of how the lack of a vehicular ferry impacts on the local community in Jura.  “Our officers scoured the country for a replacement vessel, and I am delighted that they managed to get another one in place so soon.” The Eilean Dhiura is due to return on Thursday, subject to satisfactory sea trials.

Iseabail to serve on HIE Gaelic panel

From: HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS ENTERPRISE

Entrepreneurs helping shape the future for Gaelic and economic growth in the Highlands and Islands

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will, this week, bring together a panel of Gaels from the business community across Scotland, with the purpose of focussing on promoting the contribution of Gaelic to the economic development of the region.

Following the publishing of its Gaelic Plan last month, the development agency is looking to a number of individuals with a track record in fields such as the hospitality industry, broadcasting, the creative industries and retail who have a background in Gaelic.

HIE sees the Gaelic Sectoral Panel as fulfilling an important function in helping identify specific areas where the agency can further support Gaelic,  the Gàidhealach culture, and the bilingual identity of the Scottish Gàidhealtachd, to play an increasingly significant role in the growth of the region.

John Watt, Director of HIE strengthening communities, looked forward to hosting the meeting, "HIE has had success in promoting and protecting Gaelic and Gàidhealach culture, with some significant benefits for the cultural and creative industries and in strengthening communities in the Highlands and Islands. The publication of the HIE Gaelic Plan; an increasing appreciation of the Gaelic identity of Scotland, and developments such as the recent launch of BBC Alba, add to the sense of energy and wellbeing around Gaelic and Gaels in the Highlands and Islands."

Mr Watt continued, "We sense opportunities to harness that energy in the growth of businesses and key sectors in the Highlands and Islands. This is a good opportunity for us, with advise from the Panel, to identify practical and proactive measures which will have clear and quantifiable business benefits and promote the place of Gaelic in the growth of sectors such as tourism, the creative industries and in expanding the market for Gaelic goods and services."

The Panel will meet up to five times of the course of the next eighteen months. The first meeting will be held in Inverness on Thursday June 11.

The following have agreed to become panel members:
Angus MacPhail, Skippinnish Dance Band, Tiree
Sir Patrick Grant, MD of Dalvey
Matthew MacIver, UHI Principle
Sarah NicEachan, Director of Sealladh na Beinne Mòire, Uist
Iseabail MacTaggart, Bowmore Distillery, Islay
Donella Beaton - Cànan
Lorne MacLeod - chartered accountant
Ann Morrison, Head of MacTV in Stornoway
Dàibhidh Grannd,  Deiseil Ltd, Glasgow
Seonaidh MacRitchie - County Hotel, Stornoway

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is the Scottish Government's regional development agency for an area which covers half of Scotland, from Shetland to Argyll and from the Outer Hebrides to Moray. Visit www.hie.co.uk for more information.

Monitoring the Beavers

SNH sets out role in beaver trial 

As beavers are released back into the wild in the UK for
the first time in over 400 years, in Knapdale, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) outlined its
role monitoring the trial reintroduction in detail. 

When the Scottish Government gave the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) and the
Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) the go-ahead for the trial in May
2008, they also asked SNH to monitor the trial and report to Ministers on its
outcome. 

Monitoring the relationship between beavers and woodland, water plants, river
habitat, water levels, otters, dragonflies, damselflies and freshwater fish will
be part of the environmental work carried out by SNH. The beavers themselves
will also be under close scrutiny, using tracking data collected by SWT and
RZSS. SNH will co-ordinate the scientific monitoring work with a range of
independent bodies, including Oxford University Wildlife Conservation Research
Unit and the Argyll Fisheries Trust. The Scottish Environmental Protection
Agency (SEPA) will monitor water chemistry, Historic Scotland, a crannog in Loch
Coille-Bharr, and Argyll and Bute Council, public health.

SNH is contributing £275,000 to the cost of monitoring the trial. The Scottish
Beaver Trial project partners, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal
Zoological Society of Scotland, have raised the rest of the project costs from
private donations and grants, including Biffaward, the People’s Postcode
Lottery and the People’s Trust for Endangered Species.

Professor Colin Galbraith, Director of Policy and Advice for SNH said: “We
are pleased that the trial is underway, as it provides the best opportunity to
see how beavers fit into the Scottish countryside, in a carefully planned and
managed way. 

“SNH has a key role in monitoring progress and in reporting the outcome of
the trial to Ministers in due course. The scientific trial will measure and
evaluate the beavers’ interactions with the local environment. We are
especially grateful to have the help of several other organisations in carrying
out our monitoring role. Importantly, the monitoring programme carried out by
SNH and others will be transparent and open. Relevant reports and other outputs
will be available to the public on the SNH website so that everyone can see how
the trial has gone and how the beavers have settled in.” 

The trial will be a major contribution to Scotland’s Species Action
Framework, which identifies 32 species, including European beaver, as the focus
of new management action. 

Council Planning Procedures

ARGYLL AND BUTE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

Argyll and Bute Council has become one of the first in Scotland to propose changes in its planning procedures in response to new legislation. The move comes following the Scottish Government’s introduction of a new three-tier hierarchy of planning applications – National, Major and Local - from August. Councillors have now agreed both the establishment of a new Planning, Protective Services and Licensing (PPSL) Committee and a new scheme of delegation to cover the three new types of application. In addition, a central unit based in Dalriada House in Lochgilphead has been set up to oversee the registration and validation of all planning applications, and to manage the Council’s new responsibility of carrying out neighbour notification. Such a hub was a key recommendation of a previous Best Value Review carried out into how best to prepare for the revised legislation. Argyll and Bute’s planning services department has already started training sessions with Community Councils, agents, other consultees and members to prepare them for the new ways of working. Some preliminary information is already on the Council’s website, and this will be updated regularly between now and August to advise all those involved in the planning process of the detail of the changes, how this will affect the requirements for a planning application and how it will be dealt with. Councillor Daniel Kelly, Chair of the new PPSL Committee, said he was delighted with the way the Council had responded to the new requirements. “I welcome the changes which are being introduced, and the challenges they present to the Council in terms of service delivery,” he added. “Argyll and Bute has responded extremely positively, and I understand we are one of the first authorities to pass our new scheme of delegation to the Scottish Government.” Councillor Kelly stressed that the new unit in Dalriada House will ensure a consistency of approach to all applications, and no delays in neighbour notifications. “We hope that what has now been put in place, coupled with the additional information and advice being made available, will ease the changes for all those involved in the planning system,” he said. “I am confident that the new scheme of delegation will help speed up decisions in terms of Local applications, and provide an appropriate forum in which members can discuss and concentrate the larger scale, more complex proposals.” The new arrangements will see the vast majority of Local planning applications determined at officer level, without ever going in front of Councillors. However, should an applicant wish to appeal this delegated decision he or she will have the right to have the decision reviewed by a panel of Councillors. Decisions made by Councillors at the PPSL Committee, as at present, can be appealed to Scottish Ministers.

HIE foillseachadh Plana Gàidhlig trì bliadhna

IOMAIRT NA GÀIDHEALTACHD ’S NAN EILEAN

 

 

HIE foillseachadh Plana Gàidhlig trì bliadhna

 

Là-sgaoilidh: 26/05/2009

 

 

Dh’fhoillsich Highlands and Islands Enterprise/Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ‘s nan Eilean (HIE) an-diugh ciad Phlana Gàidhlig na buidhne airson nan trì bliadhna bho 2009 gu 2012.

 

Sgrìobhadh am Plana a-rèir Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005, is e toirt cunntas air na tha HIE a’ cur roimhe a chum spèis co-ionnan dhan a’ Ghàidhlig is dha na Gàidheil; a’ toirt na Gàidhlig gu bhi na h-eileamaid fìor ghnàthach an Gàidhealtachd dà-chànanach. Chaidh aontachadh ris a’ Phlana bho chionn ghoirid le Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

 

A bharrachd air a bhi gabhail a-steach na Gàidhlig mar nì mòr ann am fèin-aithne na buidhne, margaidheachd agus an làrach-lìn, tha HIE airson dèanamh cinnteach gun teid seirbheisean a thoirt seachad dha na Gàidheil sa chànan aca.

 

Tha HIE cuideachd airson is gun toir am Plana sealladh ùr-ghnàthaichte agus dealasach air leasachadh na Gàidhlig, ach an toir iad làn-chomas a’ chànain gu buill mu choinneamh fàs ghnìomhachasan agus choimhearsnachdan neartmhor air a’ Ghàidhealtachd. Tha Plana Gàidhlig HIE airson togail air buannachdan malairteach; le margaidheachd agus sanasachd bhathar; le fàs ghnìomhachasan cruthachail, seirbheisean agus na roinne turasachd.

 

Chuir Sandy Cumming, Ceannard HIE, fàilte blàth air a’ Phlana, "Tha mi air leth toilichte Plana Gàidhlig Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ‘s nan Eilean, 2009-12 fhoillseachadh. Tha cinn-ùidhe a’ Phlana a’ sealltainn dè cho mòr sa tha HIE airson is gun leasaich is gum brosnaich sinn a’ Gàidhealtachd mar àite dà-chànanach is sinn a’ coimhead air a’ Ghàidhlig agus air a’ Bheurla le spèis cho-ionnan.

 

"Ann an co-theacs na h-obrach againn a chum gus an tig a’ Ghàidhealtachd is na h-Eileanan a-mach às a’ chrìonadh chruinneil seo gu sgiobalta, theid coimhead air feartan sònraichte na sgìre mar fhìor mhaitheas dhuinne; nithean a leithid cumhachd ath-nuadhachail agus gu dearbha an dualchas is fèin-aithne Ghàidhealach luachmhor."

 

Lean e air, "Bith àite mòr aig a’ Ghàidhlig ann an cur an gnìomh Ro-innleachd Eaconomach an Riaghaltais (GES) air a’ Ghàidhealtachd ‘s na h-Eilean. An ceann beagan seachdainnean, theid sgioba de luchd-gnìomhachais a thoirt còmhla ach stiùireadh a thoirt dhuinne air leasachadh àite na Gàidhlig ann am fàs seasmhachd eaconomach. Tha HIE cuideachd an sàs an eacarsaidh phrocurement airson seirbheisean leasachaidh Gàidhlig."

 

Thuirt Arthur MacCarmaig, neach-cathrach Bhòrd na Gàidhlig, "Tha Bòrd na Gàidhlig air leth toilichte a bhith a’ cur fàìlte air a’ chiad Phlana Gàidhlig aig HIE. Tha HIE air a bhith an sàs ann an leasachaidhean cudromach agus taiceil dhan Ghàidhlig bho chionn fhada. Tha cothroman an lùib a’ Phlana seo a bhith a’ cur ri na gnìomhan feumail sin, tro bhith a’ cumail taic ris a’ chànan, a’ togail air na rinneadh roimhe agus a’ toirt na Gàidhlig gu bhith nas follaisiche tro chleachdadh anns an seirbheisean a tha a’ bhuidheann a libhrigeadh. Tha na seirbheisean sin fìor dheatamach ann a bhith a’ cur ri seasmhachd na Gàidhlig agus tha inbhe is dleastanas chudromach aig HIE, cleas bhuidhnean poblach eile, ann a bhith a’ cuideachadh leis a’ Phlana Nàiseanta.  Tha amasan HIE agus Bòrd na Gàidhlig co-ionnan a thaobh fàs is seasmhachd, stèidhichte air neart iomadach seòrsa coimhearsnachd. Tha àite gu math cudromach aig saoghal malairt anns an obair seo a’ leasachadh na Gàidhlig agus tha suidheachadh air leth aig HIE airson a bhith a’ cumail taic ri rùintean leantainneach a’ Bhùird a thaobh sin.

 

Gheibhear Plana Gàidhlig HIE aig www.hie.co.uk/gaelic-plan agus fiosrachadh air an eacarsaidh phrocurement HIE aig www.hie.co.uk/tenders.htm

 

NFU Scotland slams Lords report on LFA

LORDS REPORT DISREGARDS CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE OF LFA 

NFU Scotland believes a House of Lords EU Committee report into the Review of the Less Favoured Areas (LFA) scheme has not recognised the fundamental role LFA support plays in maintaining farming activity in fragile areas and the resulting economic, social and environmental advantages. 

The report, which was publishedbon 4th June, was conducted by the House of Lords EU Sub-Committee D, in response to European Commission proposals about the future designation of LFAs. 

NFU Scotland’s Head of Rural Policy, Jonnie Hall, who gave evidence to the Committee in January this year said: 

“NFU Scotland welcomes the recognition of the House of Lords’ EU Committee that European Commission proposals for redesignation of LFAs across Europe must be modified to take into account the particular challenges faced by UK farmers in general and Scottish farmers in particular.  This clearly reflects the evidence that NFUS gave to the Inquiry in January this year. 

“However, the Committee’s report simply misses the point with regards to the function that LFA support actually plays in practice.  The justification for LFA support is to maintain farming activity in areas exposed to natural handicaps, but not exclusively for the sake of the environment and landscape, as the report suggests. 

“The primary impact of Scotland’s LFA Support Scheme (LFASS), which has a greater relative importance than in the rest of the UK, is to underpin a range of farming and crofting businesses, which in turn deliver a vast range of vitally important and cost-effective economic, environmental and social benefits. 

“The Committee’s assertion that it is unable to draw firm conclusions about the LFA Scheme’s effectiveness in meeting its objectives is surprising; LFASS recipients across the 85% of Scotland which is designated LFA would readily contest this, and NFUS believes that society is extremely well served by supporting farmers in remoter areas who have limited economic options but play a pivotal role in the local community.”

Euro Sheep Proposals - NFUS Press Relaese

EUROPEAN RESISTANCE TO SHEEP PROPOSALS GROWING 

European sheep farmers meeting in Germany are to step up their opposition to damaging EU rules that would require, from January 2010, all sheep farmers to electronically tag virtually every animal and then maintain records on the whereabouts of every individual sheep. 

NFU Scotland Vice-president Nigel Miller is attending a meeting in Frankfurt, called by the German sheep industry. The two-day event concluded with delegates from Germany, Spain, France, Austria, Greece, Portugal and the UK in attendance. 

Speaking from Frankfurt, Nigel Miller said: 
“This meeting has proven to be an excellent opportunity to galvanise opposition to a damaging EU regulation that would force cost and bureaucracy onto sheep farmers throughout Europe while delivering very little in the way of benefit in terms of traceability or disease security. 

“There was unanimous support amongst attendees that debate on the regulation’s requirements on electronic tagging and individual movement reporting must reopened.  Those organisations represented are committed to a continued campaign on the issue throughout the summer and a letter drafted by those attending is to be sent to each country’s lead Minister, urging them to raise the subject at forthcoming EU council meetings. 

“Delegates were particularly heartened by German producers who reported that a recent meeting with their lead politician had suggested that the German minister would be prepared to urge council to revisit the regulation in the future. 

“These burdensome rules are due to be implemented by the end of this year and we are encouraged that momentum behind our efforts to have Europe arrive at a common-sense position on implementation of this regulation is continuing to build.  More and more producer organisations are prepared to go back and push their respective Governments on this issue and the drive for significant changes to Regulation 21/2004 goes on.”  

·        The EU regulation 21/2004 demands that electronic identification of sheep will be required from 1 January 2010.   Movements of all sheep from 1 January 2011 will have to be accompanied by a movement document recording the individual identities of every sheep moved and the originating holding and destination. There will be limited derogation for some classes and ages of sheep. 
·        The proposals are deeply unpopular with Scottish farmers.  A survey, carried out by NFUS during January and February 2009, revealed that 73         per cent of Scottish producers said that they would reduce their flock if EID and individual recording were introduced.  Of the Scottish flock keepers who indicated they would reduce their flock, one third said they might get rid of all their sheep. 

Katherine McNaughton Honoured

Katherine McNaughton Honoured

Sporting volunteers from across Argyll and Bute were honoured this afternoon in a ceremony at the Council headquarters in Kilmory.

The third annual Sports Volunteer Awards took place as part of Volunteer Week. The event is a partnership between the Volunteer Centre and Argyll and Bute Council, and recognizes the valued work that volunteers contribute to community life in the area. 

Nominations were received from across Argyll and Bute for people and sports organizations who have ‘gone the extra mile’ and made a positive contribution to their local or wider community. 

Katherine McNaughton won the category "Junior Volunteer of the Year" for her contribution to the development of swimming on Islay. Katherine has been a volunteer helper at Islay and Jura Dolphins Swimming Club since the age of 14 and has gained teaching qualifications in swimming to help others. She regularly mentors younger swimmers and teaches for the local swimming pool. Katherine is involved in organizing and running competitions and is a role model for both junior and senior members of the club.

Councillor Douglas Philand, Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for Arts, Culture, Leisure and Sport, said all nominees for the awards should be congratulated.

“These awards recognise those people who give up their own time for nothing more than the satisfaction of enabling others to enjoy sport,” he said.

“Many hundreds of people of all ages have benefitted from their efforts, and today’s event was just a small way of saying thank you to them.

“We as a Council are taking great strides in trying to further improve access to and enjoyment of sport and physical activity for all our residents.

“Several weeks ago we agreed our Sport and Physical Activity Strategy 2009-2014, which seeks to maximise the opportunities for people of all ages and abilities in Argyll and Bute to participate in sport, other physical activity and outdoor sports and learning.

“The commitment and dedication of the hundreds of sporting volunteers across Argyll and Bute is ensuring that we are taking big strides in this regard, and I congratulate and thank them for their efforts.” 

The Sports Volunteer Awards are nominated by members of the public, sports organizations, Sports Development staff and Active Schools who value the contribution the winners and nominees have made to the development of sport in Argyll and Bute over the past year. 

Argyll and Bute has an estimated 24% of the population involved in sports volunteering, 10% higher than the rest of Scotland (Sportscotland Adult Participation in Sport, 2008).

Swine Flu - An NHS Press Release

Swine Flu

NHS Highland is reassuring people that it is equipped to deal with any cases of A(H1N1), commonly referred to as swine flu, and is working hard to try to minimise the risk of it spreading further within the NHS Highland area.

It is recognised that the recent cluster of cases in the Argyll and Bute area might lead to public concern.  Public Health Consultant Dr Ken Oates said: “It’s really important that people know that we are making every effort possible to try to minimise the spread of A(H1N1).  We are communicating with the close contacts of any confirmed cases to see if they are showing any symptoms, and recommending appropriate action.

“We have very clear guidance from Health Protection Scotland to ensure that we limit the spread as much as possible.

“We’ve talked extensively about the symptoms (fever, cough or shortness of breath, headache, sore throat, tiredness, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, runny nose or loss of appetite) but we should also emphasise that people who have any strain of flu can feel miserable, and that is to be expected.

“Normal flu is unpleasant, and swine flu is the same but it can be treated. We have antiviral drugs to help anyone who develops the virus to recover.

“We know that this type of flu is spread by tiny particles that come out of your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Our advice is straightforward; when you cough or sneeze cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. Throw the tissue away and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards: Catch it, Bin it, Kill it!  Regularly clean door handles, hard surfaces, computer keyboards, TV remote controls and so on. Improving your hygiene is the best thing that you can do to protect yourself.

“If you feel unwell and have any of the flu-like symptoms phone your doctor, nhs24 on 08454 24 24 24 or the swine flu helpline on 0800 1 513 513 and they will advise you what to do next. 

“The Scottish Government’s message to Catch it, Bin it, Kill it stands true.

“Remember that we are working to help protect you from the virus. You can help protect yourself by improving your own personal hygiene, and the cleanliness of your home and work environment.”

“We are communicating daily with Health Protection Scotland, the Government and other Health Boards to ensure that we have an up to date picture of how this virus is spreading. In conjunction with Health Protection Scotland we are continuing to advise that schools and nurseries should only be closed where this will help to contain spread.

“If you are an employer it is recommended that you familiarise yourself with information about swine flu, and ensure that your staff know what to do to protect themselves. Staff returning from an affected area who feel unwell are asked to liaise directly with their line manager (by phone) before returning to work.  Those displaying symptoms should phone their doctor, nhs24 or the swine flu helpline and keep their line manager informed.“

The following websites offer useful advice and guidance:

 HYPERLINK "http://www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu" www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu 

www.scotland.gov.uk

 HYPERLINK "http://www.nhs24.com/" www.nhs24.com
 HYPERLINK "http://www.dh.gov.uk/" www.dh.gov.uk
 HYPERLINK "http://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/" www.hps.scot.nhs.uk

Anyone who believes they have any of the listed flu-like symptoms is advised to call their local GP, the Swine flu helpline 0800 1 513 513, or NHS 24 08454 24 24 24.

Council Carbon Management Programme

ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COMPLETES CARBON MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME

Argyll and Bute Council has successfully graduated from the Carbon Trust’s Carbon Management Programme, with a commitment to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 20% by 2014, delivering an annual energy bill reduction of £800,000.  Argyll and Bute Council is one of 25 organisations in Scotland who graduated from the sixth phase of the Carbon Management Programme, receiving a certificate from the Carbon Trust and Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, at the official ceremony in Edinburgh.  The Carbon Management programme is designed to help organisations develop a targeted framework to deliver carbon reduction practices by establishing their current baseline emissions, assessing the risks and opportunities posed by climate change, and developing a robust strategy to reduce carbon footprints over a five to ten year period.  Since the programme began in 2003, 25 organisations in Scotland, including local authorities, universities and NHS boards, have graduated from the programme.  So far these organisations have reduced their carbon dioxide emissions by over 100,000 tonnes, with associated energy bill savings in excess of £6 million.  Argyll and Bute's spokesperson for Economy, Environment and Rural Affairs, Councillor Robert Macintyre, said: To date the Council's efforts have been largely focused on improving the energy efficiency of our buildings.  "However, to achieve our target of reducing our carbon dioxide emissions by 20% by 2014, 5,298 tonnes carbon dioxide emissions per annum, we will be implementing a host of project ideas which will deploy well researched and reliable technologies.  "These can deliver energy savings and can harness potential for renewable energy generation. We must at the same time challenge council staff in their travel and energy usage behaviour by raising awareness of the issues and creating an open forum for staff to suggest carbon and energy reduction ideas.” The Carbon Trust has welcomed a further 11 organisations to the programme who will commence the seventh phase of the programme this year.  John Stocks, Manager, Carbon Trust Scotland, said: “The environmental benefits of cutting carbon are clear. "However, even more significant for organisations in the current financial climate is the need to cut costs. Improving energy efficiency by implementing good carbon management is a key way of achieving financial savings and releasing funds which could be better spent elsewhere.  “The Carbon Management Programme offers advice and guidance on how to achieve this and offers the opportunity to network with organisations that have already been successful in achieving significant targets and can offer additional real life hints and tips! “This year’s cohort has been particularly successful, with a typical carbon management plan indicating a carbon emission reduction of 20% over a period of five years.” The Carbon Management Programme is designed to deliver improved energy management of buildings, vehicle fleets, street lighting and landfill sites. The programme is supported by a bespoke toolkit – a web based manual that gives detailed guidance on the programme’s process and technical advice. It also facilitates the sharing of best practice between participants, enabling them to learn from each other’s experience, thereby optimising results.

The Rhododendron Menace

Tackling rhododendrons

Call to action against rhododendron menace

At this time of year many road edges and woodlands in western Scotland
are awash with purple colour as thousands of Rhododendron ponticum
bushes come into flower. 

But despite this magnificent show of colour, rhododendron ponticum is
one of the greatest threats to the sustainability of woodland and forest
environments.

The threat is so severe that Forestry Commission Scotland - together
with SNH and Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, has appointed a
dedicated control officer, Liz Poulsom

As well as advising landowners with advice and guidance on rhododendron
control, Liz - who is based in Argyll - promotes Scottish Government
grant support for rhododendron control projects through the Scottish
Rural Development Programme (SRDP).

Liz said: 

"Rhododendron ponticum is a non-native invasive shrub that can spread
rapidly through woodlands and out into open moorland. It already covers
around 4400 ha in mainland Argyll alone and is present across Scotland.
It is already posing a concern for protected habitats as far east as
Angus.

"The bushes shade out lower ground flora and suppress the regeneration
of tree seedlings but they also host two fungal infections (Phytophthora
ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae) that can have a negative impact on
the surrounding environment and on biodiversity. 

"If left unchecked this species could do a lot of damage to Scotland's
important native woodlands so we need to take severe and urgent action."


Most domestic rhododendrons, grown in gardens for their attractive
flowers, pose no threat to wildlife habitats as they tend to stay in the
garden. 

Unfortunately invasive r ponticum has adapted to our conditions to the
extent that it finds a perfect home in the broadleaved woods of the west
of scotland where it thrives and expands to the detriment of these
woods. It could be described as the 'cuckoo' of the plant world in
Scotland - invading natural habitats and forcing out what should be
growing there with a consequent detrimental impact on the other
dependant fauna and flora. 

Anyone who wishes to undertake Rhododendron ponticum control or who
wishes to find out more about the species is encouraged to get in touch
with Liz on 01738 450799 or liz.poulsom@forestry.gsi.gov.uk 

Anne Clarke Presents NHS Awards

LOCAL HEALTH STAFF RECEIVE AWARDS TO CELEBRATE THEIR COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE

The commitment of Argyll & Bute Community Health Partnership staff to the NHS was recently recognised by a new staff award scheme introduced by NHS Highland.

Under the Valuing Service policy people who have worked for the National Health Service for a total of 20, 30 or 40 years would receive a certificate and retail vouchers to mark their length of service.

 A number of staff from across Argyll and Bute who were eligible for the scheme recently attended an awards ceremony in the Mid Argyll Hospital in Lochgilphead.

Anne Clark, Non Executive Director of NHS Highland, who presented staff with their awards, said:

“I was delighted to come along today to present staff with their Valuing Service awards and I would like to congratulate everyone for their hard work and dedication to the NHS over many years.

“This new scheme was introduced by NHS Highland as a way of recognising the long term commitment of staff to the NHS and I am really pleased that so many people took the opportunity to come along today.

Derek Leslie, General Manager of Argyll & Bute CHP, continued:

“The recognition that staff received today is well deserved and I would like to thank them all for their long service to the NHS.

 

“We are also planning to hold these award ceremonies in future years so that we can continue to acknowledge the work that our staff do in delivering local health services across Argyll and Bute.”     

Caledonian MacBrayne redeploy Isle of Arran

Letter to The Ileach from Phil Preston - Operations Director of Caledonian MacBrayne following the redeployment of the Isle of Arran on 31st May

Dear Editor

With regards to the disruptions experienced on the Islay service on Sunday
31 May and Monday 1 June,  I thought it might be helpful if I let you know
the rationale behind the decisions that were taken.

Firstly, let me stress that the decision to move one vessel to another
route is never taken lightly, and is only done in exceptional
circumstances.  As you are aware, MV Clansman suffered a technical
breakdown en route to Coll and Tiree on Friday 29 May, and the knock-on
effect from this caused significant disruptions around the network.
Indeed, not only were services to Coll and Tiree affected, but also Barra,
South Uist, Mull and Colonsay, as well as additional traffic and, in some
cases delayed or additional sailings on the Uig-Lochmaddy, Barra - Eriskay
and Lochaline - Fishnish routes.

The situation was exacerbated by the high volumes of traffic on all routes,
caused largely by the end of the spring holiday.

The decision to redeploy MV Isle of Arran was taken at 1100 on Saturday,
but it was agreed at that time that the vessel would not leave the Islay
route until completion of that days' timetable, given the high volumes of
bookings.  The vessel was redeployed on completion of the 1800 sailing,
upon arrival at Kennacraig, and returned to immediate service from
Kennacraig just before midday on Monday 1June.  This led to the following
disruptions:

Sunday 31 May
0900 ex Kennacraig - cancelled
1250 ex Port Ellen - cancelled
2030 ex Port Ellen - additional sailing

Monday 1 June
0700 ex Port Ellen - cancelled
0945 ex Kennacraig - cancelled

MV Isle of Arran is CalMac's spare vessel and, although she is currently
deployed on the Islay route, the fact that this was an unforeseen set of
circumstances meant that there was no alternative, other perhaps than to
leave one or more islands without a ferry service until MV Clansman
returned to service.

Clearly passengers travelling to and from Islay on the above sailings were
inconvenienced, but, given the complex situation that we found ourselves
in, we believed the best decision was to re-organise the fleet, so that no
island was left without a ferry.

We very much regret this inconvenience, and, as I mentioned previously, the
decisions taken to redeploy ferries, including MV Isle of Arran, were taken
only after high-level discussions with the aim of minimising inconvenience
around the network.

Phil Preston
Managing Director
Caledonian MacBrayne