.Jim Mather, MSP Argyll & Bute has welcomed the intervention of his
colleague, Mike Weir, MP, who speaks for the party at Westminster on
Business and Enterprise, for his comments on the dangers for rural areas
of the threats to the continuity of services from privatisation
proposals for the Royal Mail.
Jim Mather said:
"The maintenance of a comprehensive mail delivery service is essential
for Scotland and this can only be achieved by maintaining the company in
public ownership. We have already seen the chaos that has overtaken the
Post Office network as soon as the announcement was made and the
headlong rush towards "liberalisation "started.
The first warning was the massive increase in postal letter charges; a
rise that is seen as an inducement to potential buyers but one that is
likely to affect small business users who are unable to facilitate
quantity discounting and small and isolated rural users who are
dependent on postal services for communication and supplies. These are
areas that have already been severely affected by earlier closures in
local amenities.
With privatisation there can be little doubt that a fully privatised
Royal Mail -will we still call it that - will seek to further reduce the
present Universal Service Obligation, that presently guarantees a level
postal charging structure and delivery service across the country. That
principle has already been breached for parcel delivery services that
are deemed to be "remote" from larger conurbations. When that USO is
depleted rural communities will inevitably suffer.
The Royal Mail is not just another company to be hived off for a quick
fix. It provides essential services, especially to smaller communities
and small businesses"
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 20 November – Friday 26 November 2010
Title: SPL Aberdeen v St Johnstone
The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Aberdeen host St Johnstone at Pittodrie.
BBC SPORTS POINTER
Transmitted: Saturday 20th November 2010
Time: 5.30pm
Title: Horo Ghealaidh / Celtic Music Sessions
World class musicians from the Celtic Connections festival perform at the Horo Gheallaidh ceilidh session's. This week, Rachel Walker and Alasdair Codona are among the guests.
Transmitted: Saturday 20th November 2010
Time: 10pm
Title: Partaig / Partick
The Ronans take the time to visit an old haunt, before it closes its doors for good. The Transport Museum at Partick bridge is moving to 'new Partick' so ice creams in the sun and a wander round is the order of the day. Meanwhile Donnie reveals the secrets of his shed and Aileen's dog Molly arrives back to stay. Nan and Angus are taking to the skies as Liz is flathunting on Byres road.
BBC FACTUAL POINTER
Transmitted: Monday 22nd November 2010
Time: 10pm
Title: Uaigneas / Solitude
Uaigneas highlights the role of women in times of family crisis or trauma, giving a thought-provoking and heart-wrenching understanding of how they cope. In a personal and candid account Gina MacDonald tells how she coped when her husband developed Alzheimers while still in his late 40's.
Transmitted: Tuesday 23rd November 2010
Time: 8.30pm
Title: Ceol Country / Country Music
Evelyn Coull takes you to the Kelso Country and Western Festival in the Scottish Borders. Among the Bands and Singers on show at the festival, Chris Raddings, Atlanta and Settlers Creek take to the stage. In addition to the music, there are a number of other things to take part in at a festival like this, as Evelyn attempts some dancing and archery. She also tries on some of the outfits that are so important to many of those in attendance.
Transmitted: Tuesday 23rd November 2010
Time: 9pm
Title: An Faigh Iad Tadhal / Football Crazy
Through the eyes of a few passionate football fans we get an insight into their unique world. Featuring loyal followers of Ross County, Rangers,Celtic, Ness, Southend and Scotland.
BBC FACTUAL POINTER
Transmitted: Wednesday 24th November 2010
Time: 9pm
Title: Club TV
Exclusive interviews, match action, and behind the scenes at Celtic and Rangers F.C.
Transmitted: Thursday 25th November 2010
Time: 9pm
Title: Ruadh / Ginger Gene
Proud redhead Catriona MacPhee tells her story. It's a story about evolution, genetics, the complexity of prejudice, the roots of identity, and EVEN the threat of extinction.
BBC FACTUAL POINTER
Transmitted: Friday 26th November 2010
Time: 9pm
The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Aberdeen host St Johnstone at Pittodrie.
BBC SPORTS POINTER
Transmitted: Saturday 20th November 2010
Time: 5.30pm
Title: Horo Ghealaidh / Celtic Music Sessions
World class musicians from the Celtic Connections festival perform at the Horo Gheallaidh ceilidh session's. This week, Rachel Walker and Alasdair Codona are among the guests.
Transmitted: Saturday 20th November 2010
Time: 10pm
Title: Partaig / Partick
The Ronans take the time to visit an old haunt, before it closes its doors for good. The Transport Museum at Partick bridge is moving to 'new Partick' so ice creams in the sun and a wander round is the order of the day. Meanwhile Donnie reveals the secrets of his shed and Aileen's dog Molly arrives back to stay. Nan and Angus are taking to the skies as Liz is flathunting on Byres road.
BBC FACTUAL POINTER
Transmitted: Monday 22nd November 2010
Time: 10pm
Title: Uaigneas / Solitude
Uaigneas highlights the role of women in times of family crisis or trauma, giving a thought-provoking and heart-wrenching understanding of how they cope. In a personal and candid account Gina MacDonald tells how she coped when her husband developed Alzheimers while still in his late 40's.
Transmitted: Tuesday 23rd November 2010
Time: 8.30pm
Title: Ceol Country / Country Music
Evelyn Coull takes you to the Kelso Country and Western Festival in the Scottish Borders. Among the Bands and Singers on show at the festival, Chris Raddings, Atlanta and Settlers Creek take to the stage. In addition to the music, there are a number of other things to take part in at a festival like this, as Evelyn attempts some dancing and archery. She also tries on some of the outfits that are so important to many of those in attendance.
Transmitted: Tuesday 23rd November 2010
Time: 9pm
Title: An Faigh Iad Tadhal / Football Crazy
Through the eyes of a few passionate football fans we get an insight into their unique world. Featuring loyal followers of Ross County, Rangers,Celtic, Ness, Southend and Scotland.
BBC FACTUAL POINTER
Transmitted: Wednesday 24th November 2010
Time: 9pm
Title: Club TV
Exclusive interviews, match action, and behind the scenes at Celtic and Rangers F.C.
Transmitted: Thursday 25th November 2010
Time: 9pm
Title: Ruadh / Ginger Gene
Proud redhead Catriona MacPhee tells her story. It's a story about evolution, genetics, the complexity of prejudice, the roots of identity, and EVEN the threat of extinction.
BBC FACTUAL POINTER
Transmitted: Friday 26th November 2010
Time: 9pm
NFUS OUTLINES FIVE YEAR PLAN
At the meeting of the NFU Scotland Council in Perth today (8 November), Chief Executive James Withers presented a draft five-year plan for the organisation.
The plan, which will be completed by the year-end, maps out the direction of the organisation from 2011-2015. Its focus is to further strengthen the scope, impact and influence of the organisation by developing its services for members and reflecting the new challenges faced by the farming industry across the country.
As well as building on its core role, the priorities in the plan include re-engaging with the younger generation, developing expertise in new areas – such as renewables, agri-tourism and on-farm retailing – and reviewing the structure of the organisation.
Addressing Council delegates, NFUS Chief Executive James Withers said:
“We are in a strong position as an organisation with solid finances and a membership that has been growing for the last four years.
“From discussions we have had around the country in developing this plan, it is clear that the need for an effective voice for the industry is more important than ever. However, nothing stands still. The Union needs to adapt to a changing operating environment if we are to ensure a sustainable future for Scotland’s food and farming industry.
“There are a number areas we plan to focus on. We need to re-engage with the younger generation of farmers and land managers. Many of the issues that dominate our time – such as the future of CAP and rural development funding and a better functioning marketplace – will influence the next generation as much as the current. We need them involved in what we do and we must be better at representing their views.
“The modern farm business is also changing. There are thousands of our members moving into new areas, from renewable energy to on-farm retailing and tourism. We need to adapt to reflect those emerging priorities. In addition, it is time we looked again at how the structure of the organisation works. 11 years from the last major change, we are a different industry with different pressures. Some elements of how the organisation functions are sound, others need to be improved.
“We are fortunate to have a staff body across Scotland who have vast experience and expertise in their fields. In addition, we have talented members who give up their time to work on behalf of their peers and like-minded organisations that we have excellent relationships with. We are also working against a backdrop of a political system in Scotland that values food and farming and a whole range of global drivers that are putting the industry back in the spotlight. There are therefore huge opportunities ahead and we want to ensure we cement our position as the industry-leading organisation over the next five years to ensure we can grasp them.”
The plan, which will be completed by the year-end, maps out the direction of the organisation from 2011-2015. Its focus is to further strengthen the scope, impact and influence of the organisation by developing its services for members and reflecting the new challenges faced by the farming industry across the country.
As well as building on its core role, the priorities in the plan include re-engaging with the younger generation, developing expertise in new areas – such as renewables, agri-tourism and on-farm retailing – and reviewing the structure of the organisation.
Addressing Council delegates, NFUS Chief Executive James Withers said:
“We are in a strong position as an organisation with solid finances and a membership that has been growing for the last four years.
“From discussions we have had around the country in developing this plan, it is clear that the need for an effective voice for the industry is more important than ever. However, nothing stands still. The Union needs to adapt to a changing operating environment if we are to ensure a sustainable future for Scotland’s food and farming industry.
“There are a number areas we plan to focus on. We need to re-engage with the younger generation of farmers and land managers. Many of the issues that dominate our time – such as the future of CAP and rural development funding and a better functioning marketplace – will influence the next generation as much as the current. We need them involved in what we do and we must be better at representing their views.
“The modern farm business is also changing. There are thousands of our members moving into new areas, from renewable energy to on-farm retailing and tourism. We need to adapt to reflect those emerging priorities. In addition, it is time we looked again at how the structure of the organisation works. 11 years from the last major change, we are a different industry with different pressures. Some elements of how the organisation functions are sound, others need to be improved.
“We are fortunate to have a staff body across Scotland who have vast experience and expertise in their fields. In addition, we have talented members who give up their time to work on behalf of their peers and like-minded organisations that we have excellent relationships with. We are also working against a backdrop of a political system in Scotland that values food and farming and a whole range of global drivers that are putting the industry back in the spotlight. There are therefore huge opportunities ahead and we want to ensure we cement our position as the industry-leading organisation over the next five years to ensure we can grasp them.”
Manaidsear ùr aig Ionad Chaluim Chile Ìle
‘S e Niall Iain Woodrow, a bhuineas dha Bogha Mòr, a th’ air ainmeachadh mar Mhanaidsear ùr Ionad Chaluim Chile Ìle (ICCI). Tha Mgr Woodrow na Fhear-lagha Clàraichte ann an Alba.
A leantain air fòghlaim bun-sgoile aig Na Cillean agus Bogha Mòr chuir Niall crìoch air fòghlam sgoile aig Àrd-sgoiltean a’ Bhogha Mhòir, agus Ceann Loch Chill’ Chiarain. Le Ceum Urramach ann an Lagh Poblach agus Dioploma ann am Gnìomh Lagha Proifeasanta, bho Oilthigh Ghlaschu, rinn Niall a chuid treanaidh ann an Ceann Loch Gilb agus às an Òban agus chaidh e na neach-compàirt air companaidh lagha anns an Òban ann an 1988. Còig bliadhna an dèidh sin ghluais e gu bhith na neach-compàirt air companaidh ann am Baile Bhòid agus, nuair a leig an neach-compàirt aige dheth a’ dhreuchd, bha e as cionn buidhinn far an robh mu dheireadh dithis luchd-lagha eile agus luchd taice. Reic Niall a’ chompanaidh ann an 2007 is thill e gu ruig Ìle.
Tha Niall na neach ionnsachaidh daingeann agus tha e glè mhothachail air cliù a’ theaghlaich a thaobh taic dha Gàidhlig an Ìle. “Bha mo mhàthair nach maireann dian a thaobh Gàidhlig. Nuair a leig i dhith a’ dreuchd ann am Bun-sgoil nan Cillean lean i mar neach-teagaisg solair aig Aonad-Ghàidhlig Bun-sgoil a’ Bhogha Mhòir chun an robh i 70! Le Gàidhlig mar chiad chànan fhuair i Àrd Ìre fo theagasg Dhòmhnaill MhicThòmais, agus b’ ì a chiad Chathraiche air Co-Roinn Ìle, Dhiùra is Cholbhasa. Chum an Co-Roinn sgoiltean samhraidh grunnd bhliadhnaichean gus dearbhadh an iarrtais air ionad ionnsachaidh ann an Ìle. Tha eachdraidh na dearbhadh gun do shoirbhich leis na tachartasan sin. Tha fiughair mhòr orm gus tòiseachadh na mo dhreuchd aig Ionad Chaluim Chile Ìle!”
Bho thill e a dh’ Ìle tha Niall air a bhith ag ionnsachadh Gàidhlig agus tha e cuideachd air a bhith an sàs ann an cùisean coimhearsnachd; nam measg sin mar bhall air bòrd-stiùiridh a’ phàipear ionadail, An t-Ìleach, agus mar bhall air Iomairt Ìle agus Dhiùra aig Comunn na Gàidhlig.
A cur failte air Niall chun na dreuchd thuirt Cathraiche Eadar-amail Bòrd Stiùiridh ICCI, Ailean Caimbeul, “ Tha sinn glè thoilichte Manaidsear fhaotainn aig an Ionad a-rithist agus tha sinn a’ guidhe soirbheachadh dha Niall na dhreuchd ùr. Thar nan ochd mìosan deug a chaidh, le taic Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd, tha ICCI air a’ Phlana Gnìomh a’ sgrùdadh agus ùrachadh, agus tha sinn air leth moiteil earbsa Bhòrd na Gàidhlig agus Chomhairle Earra Ghàidheil is Bhòid a ghleidheadh mar phrìomh bhuidhnean taice.
“Tha na Stiùirichean fada an comain Rita Nic an t-Sealgair a th’ air sàr obair leasachaidh a’ dhèanamh air a’ Phlana Ghnìomh againn thar 9 mìosan, agus tha dreuchd Nèill mar cheum cudromach ann an gnìomhadh a’ Phlana sin. Tha Rita an dùil crìoch a chur air obair ICCI mu dheireadh na bliadhna”.
Tha Plana Gìomh ICCI ag amas an t-Ionad fhàs mar iomairt shòisealta, agus:
Leasachadh mar phrìomh ionad Gàidhlig Ìle is Earra Ghàidheal;
Leasachadh mar ionad cànain is cultair;
Mar mheadhan leasachaidh eaconomach;
Leasachadh mar ghoireas coimhearsnachd.
Thuirt Ailean Caimbeul, “Ann a bhith a’ coilionadh nan amasan sin cuiridh ICCI ri cinn-uidhe leasachaidh Bhòrd na Gàidhlig a thaobh neartachadh na Gàidhlig san dachaigh, san ionad obrach, agus às a’ choimhearsnachd. Cuiridh an t-Ionad cuideachd ri amasan chultarail agus eaconomach Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus Chomhairle Earra Ghàidheil is Bhòid.”
A leantain air fòghlaim bun-sgoile aig Na Cillean agus Bogha Mòr chuir Niall crìoch air fòghlam sgoile aig Àrd-sgoiltean a’ Bhogha Mhòir, agus Ceann Loch Chill’ Chiarain. Le Ceum Urramach ann an Lagh Poblach agus Dioploma ann am Gnìomh Lagha Proifeasanta, bho Oilthigh Ghlaschu, rinn Niall a chuid treanaidh ann an Ceann Loch Gilb agus às an Òban agus chaidh e na neach-compàirt air companaidh lagha anns an Òban ann an 1988. Còig bliadhna an dèidh sin ghluais e gu bhith na neach-compàirt air companaidh ann am Baile Bhòid agus, nuair a leig an neach-compàirt aige dheth a’ dhreuchd, bha e as cionn buidhinn far an robh mu dheireadh dithis luchd-lagha eile agus luchd taice. Reic Niall a’ chompanaidh ann an 2007 is thill e gu ruig Ìle.
Tha Niall na neach ionnsachaidh daingeann agus tha e glè mhothachail air cliù a’ theaghlaich a thaobh taic dha Gàidhlig an Ìle. “Bha mo mhàthair nach maireann dian a thaobh Gàidhlig. Nuair a leig i dhith a’ dreuchd ann am Bun-sgoil nan Cillean lean i mar neach-teagaisg solair aig Aonad-Ghàidhlig Bun-sgoil a’ Bhogha Mhòir chun an robh i 70! Le Gàidhlig mar chiad chànan fhuair i Àrd Ìre fo theagasg Dhòmhnaill MhicThòmais, agus b’ ì a chiad Chathraiche air Co-Roinn Ìle, Dhiùra is Cholbhasa. Chum an Co-Roinn sgoiltean samhraidh grunnd bhliadhnaichean gus dearbhadh an iarrtais air ionad ionnsachaidh ann an Ìle. Tha eachdraidh na dearbhadh gun do shoirbhich leis na tachartasan sin. Tha fiughair mhòr orm gus tòiseachadh na mo dhreuchd aig Ionad Chaluim Chile Ìle!”
Bho thill e a dh’ Ìle tha Niall air a bhith ag ionnsachadh Gàidhlig agus tha e cuideachd air a bhith an sàs ann an cùisean coimhearsnachd; nam measg sin mar bhall air bòrd-stiùiridh a’ phàipear ionadail, An t-Ìleach, agus mar bhall air Iomairt Ìle agus Dhiùra aig Comunn na Gàidhlig.
A cur failte air Niall chun na dreuchd thuirt Cathraiche Eadar-amail Bòrd Stiùiridh ICCI, Ailean Caimbeul, “ Tha sinn glè thoilichte Manaidsear fhaotainn aig an Ionad a-rithist agus tha sinn a’ guidhe soirbheachadh dha Niall na dhreuchd ùr. Thar nan ochd mìosan deug a chaidh, le taic Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd, tha ICCI air a’ Phlana Gnìomh a’ sgrùdadh agus ùrachadh, agus tha sinn air leth moiteil earbsa Bhòrd na Gàidhlig agus Chomhairle Earra Ghàidheil is Bhòid a ghleidheadh mar phrìomh bhuidhnean taice.
“Tha na Stiùirichean fada an comain Rita Nic an t-Sealgair a th’ air sàr obair leasachaidh a’ dhèanamh air a’ Phlana Ghnìomh againn thar 9 mìosan, agus tha dreuchd Nèill mar cheum cudromach ann an gnìomhadh a’ Phlana sin. Tha Rita an dùil crìoch a chur air obair ICCI mu dheireadh na bliadhna”.
Tha Plana Gìomh ICCI ag amas an t-Ionad fhàs mar iomairt shòisealta, agus:
Leasachadh mar phrìomh ionad Gàidhlig Ìle is Earra Ghàidheal;
Leasachadh mar ionad cànain is cultair;
Mar mheadhan leasachaidh eaconomach;
Leasachadh mar ghoireas coimhearsnachd.
Thuirt Ailean Caimbeul, “Ann a bhith a’ coilionadh nan amasan sin cuiridh ICCI ri cinn-uidhe leasachaidh Bhòrd na Gàidhlig a thaobh neartachadh na Gàidhlig san dachaigh, san ionad obrach, agus às a’ choimhearsnachd. Cuiridh an t-Ionad cuideachd ri amasan chultarail agus eaconomach Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus Chomhairle Earra Ghàidheil is Bhòid.”
Monday, 15 November 2010
NFUS SLAMS MEAT INSPECTION COST RECOVERY PLANS
Farmers would bear the brunt of FSA proposals
Scotland’s livestock farmers could face a huge hike in their costs if Food Standards Agency plans to pass a £21 million bill for meat inspection charges onto the UK farming industry are delivered.
The FSA proposals, out today (Thursday, 11 November), outline how it plans to claw back the proportion of the total bill currently paid by the public purse for the cost of providing official vet and meat inspection controls in abattoirs. This amounts to around £32 million UK-wide with an impact assessment suggesting that £21 million of this bill would fall to producers with the remainder expected to be picked up by the abattoir and meat processing sector.
The sudden announcement by the FSA of the new proposals has undermined ongoing stakeholder discussions around this topic and could, by 2012, bring huge pressure on livestock producers at a time when returns, particularly on beef, are falling.
NFU Scotland Vice-President Nigel Miller, a representative on the UK-wide advisory group discussing the delivery of official controls in abattoirs said:
“This FSA proposal on cost-recovery is deeply unhelpful and totally undermines its own consultation process with stakeholders. The opportunity to take the work of stakeholder groups into consideration appears to have been abandoned in mid-stream, extinguishing trust and the positive progress such groups have made.
“There is no way the current livestock and abattoir sector can absorb the level of costs being proposed by the FSA without casualties in the meat industry. These are significant sums of money that will threaten the viability of processors and also put pressure on beef prices after a brutal summer where many finishers have suffered significant losses. For all involved in meat production, this winter has also seen the costs of production escalate, and recovering those costs from the marketplace has proven difficult enough without the FSA throwing an additional bill for meat inspection charges at farmers.
“NFU Scotland will reject the proposals and point out that it is perfectly reasonable for taxpayer funding to continue to support the cost of delivering food safety in a fair and transparent manner. In addition, there seems to have been no real attempt to improve the efficiency of these operations; simply a hasty attempt to dump over-inflated costs onto industry.
“It is against that context, that we need to examine what system is right for Scotland. The delivery of meat controls and inspections can be different north of the border so Government, its agencies and industry need to stop and think before presuming we should and could just swallow our share of a bloated system.”
Scotland’s livestock farmers could face a huge hike in their costs if Food Standards Agency plans to pass a £21 million bill for meat inspection charges onto the UK farming industry are delivered.
The FSA proposals, out today (Thursday, 11 November), outline how it plans to claw back the proportion of the total bill currently paid by the public purse for the cost of providing official vet and meat inspection controls in abattoirs. This amounts to around £32 million UK-wide with an impact assessment suggesting that £21 million of this bill would fall to producers with the remainder expected to be picked up by the abattoir and meat processing sector.
The sudden announcement by the FSA of the new proposals has undermined ongoing stakeholder discussions around this topic and could, by 2012, bring huge pressure on livestock producers at a time when returns, particularly on beef, are falling.
NFU Scotland Vice-President Nigel Miller, a representative on the UK-wide advisory group discussing the delivery of official controls in abattoirs said:
“This FSA proposal on cost-recovery is deeply unhelpful and totally undermines its own consultation process with stakeholders. The opportunity to take the work of stakeholder groups into consideration appears to have been abandoned in mid-stream, extinguishing trust and the positive progress such groups have made.
“There is no way the current livestock and abattoir sector can absorb the level of costs being proposed by the FSA without casualties in the meat industry. These are significant sums of money that will threaten the viability of processors and also put pressure on beef prices after a brutal summer where many finishers have suffered significant losses. For all involved in meat production, this winter has also seen the costs of production escalate, and recovering those costs from the marketplace has proven difficult enough without the FSA throwing an additional bill for meat inspection charges at farmers.
“NFU Scotland will reject the proposals and point out that it is perfectly reasonable for taxpayer funding to continue to support the cost of delivering food safety in a fair and transparent manner. In addition, there seems to have been no real attempt to improve the efficiency of these operations; simply a hasty attempt to dump over-inflated costs onto industry.
“It is against that context, that we need to examine what system is right for Scotland. The delivery of meat controls and inspections can be different north of the border so Government, its agencies and industry need to stop and think before presuming we should and could just swallow our share of a bloated system.”
Colmcille launches support for new projects celebrating the linguistic and cultural heritage of Ireland and Scotland
Colmcille – a partnership programme which promotes the shared linguistic and cultural heritage of Ireland and Scotland – has today launched support for new community initiatives, education, arts, publishing and youth projects.
Colmcille fosters understanding of the diverse experience and culture of the Irish and Scottish Gaelic communities, as well as encouraging debate on common concerns in social, cultural and economic issues with a view to building self-confidence within the Gaelic language communities. To fulfil its aims, Colmcille requires the participation of a wide range of communities and organisations and today launched a call for applications to support a new programme of diverse projects. Organisations have until Friday 17th December to submit applications for grant aid.
Alasdair MacKinnon, Co-ordinator for the Colmcille partnership, said that they “will welcome applications that develop new relationships between communities which speak Scottish Gaelic and communities which speak Irish Gaelic, and enhance the links already existing. All applications must have a strong focus on language, and link Scottish and Irish Gaelic”. “One of the underlying principles of Colmcille”, he said, “ is that its work and grant aided projects heightens awareness of the contribution of Gaelic to the cultural identity of both Ireland and Scotland and we will especially welcome applications for fresh and innovative projects which develop new original ways of representing Gaelic Ireland and Scotland”.
Colmcille was the main funder for one of the most successful Scottish/Irish arts projects, An Leabhar Mòr, a project which made a significant impact nationally and internationally. Over the years Colmcille has also supported various second and third level educational projects between Ireland and Scotland, including a partnership which developed dialogue at staff and student level between two bodies with responsibility for teacher training in Northern Ireland and Scotland. More recently Colmcille has assisted a primary school on the Island of Lewis in the Western Isles to develop their links with a school in County Clare. Throughout the week long twinning arrangement, pupils from both schools took part in joint activities and cultural visits cementing aspirations to set up joint Gaelic, history, geography and science projects between the two schools
www.colmcille.net
Notes:
Colmcille is a partnership programme between Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the body charged with promoting Gaelic language and culture in Scotland and internationally, and Foras na Gaeilge, the body charged with the promotion of the Irish language in the island of Ireland.
Colmcille was set up in 1997, and is funded by the Governments of Scotland and Ireland with a remit to 'create a vibrant interactive community spanning Ireland and Scotland'. Colmcille undertakes and supports projects that raise awareness of the shared Gaelic heritage of Ireland and Scotland
Gàidhlig and Gaeilge is the community language in much of the traditional Gaidhealtachd/ Gaeltacht heartlands of Ireland and Scotland and is also in use on a daily basis by many people outside the Gaeltacht in the cities of Glasgow, Inverness, Edinburgh, Derry, Belfast and Dublin. A total of 92,396 people have some Gaelic language ability in Scotland. According to the last Census 58,652 people can speak Gaelic, with an additional 33,744 having the ability to either read, write or understand the language. According to the last Census figures 1.66 million people in the South of Ireland can speak Gaeilge, whilst 10.4% of residents in Northern Ireland claim to have some knowledge of the language.
For more information on this news release, contact Alasdair MacKinnon, Colmcille Co-ordinator at alasdair@gaidhlig.org.uk or 07774 794 195
Colmcille fosters understanding of the diverse experience and culture of the Irish and Scottish Gaelic communities, as well as encouraging debate on common concerns in social, cultural and economic issues with a view to building self-confidence within the Gaelic language communities. To fulfil its aims, Colmcille requires the participation of a wide range of communities and organisations and today launched a call for applications to support a new programme of diverse projects. Organisations have until Friday 17th December to submit applications for grant aid.
Alasdair MacKinnon, Co-ordinator for the Colmcille partnership, said that they “will welcome applications that develop new relationships between communities which speak Scottish Gaelic and communities which speak Irish Gaelic, and enhance the links already existing. All applications must have a strong focus on language, and link Scottish and Irish Gaelic”. “One of the underlying principles of Colmcille”, he said, “ is that its work and grant aided projects heightens awareness of the contribution of Gaelic to the cultural identity of both Ireland and Scotland and we will especially welcome applications for fresh and innovative projects which develop new original ways of representing Gaelic Ireland and Scotland”.
Colmcille was the main funder for one of the most successful Scottish/Irish arts projects, An Leabhar Mòr, a project which made a significant impact nationally and internationally. Over the years Colmcille has also supported various second and third level educational projects between Ireland and Scotland, including a partnership which developed dialogue at staff and student level between two bodies with responsibility for teacher training in Northern Ireland and Scotland. More recently Colmcille has assisted a primary school on the Island of Lewis in the Western Isles to develop their links with a school in County Clare. Throughout the week long twinning arrangement, pupils from both schools took part in joint activities and cultural visits cementing aspirations to set up joint Gaelic, history, geography and science projects between the two schools
www.colmcille.net
Notes:
Colmcille is a partnership programme between Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the body charged with promoting Gaelic language and culture in Scotland and internationally, and Foras na Gaeilge, the body charged with the promotion of the Irish language in the island of Ireland.
Colmcille was set up in 1997, and is funded by the Governments of Scotland and Ireland with a remit to 'create a vibrant interactive community spanning Ireland and Scotland'. Colmcille undertakes and supports projects that raise awareness of the shared Gaelic heritage of Ireland and Scotland
Gàidhlig and Gaeilge is the community language in much of the traditional Gaidhealtachd/ Gaeltacht heartlands of Ireland and Scotland and is also in use on a daily basis by many people outside the Gaeltacht in the cities of Glasgow, Inverness, Edinburgh, Derry, Belfast and Dublin. A total of 92,396 people have some Gaelic language ability in Scotland. According to the last Census 58,652 people can speak Gaelic, with an additional 33,744 having the ability to either read, write or understand the language. According to the last Census figures 1.66 million people in the South of Ireland can speak Gaeilge, whilst 10.4% of residents in Northern Ireland claim to have some knowledge of the language.
For more information on this news release, contact Alasdair MacKinnon, Colmcille Co-ordinator at alasdair@gaidhlig.org.uk or 07774 794 195
BBC Alba Weekly Highlights
Date: Saturday 27 November – Friday 3 December 2010
Title: SPL Hibs V st. Johnston
The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Hibernian take on St Johnston.
Transmitted: Saturday 27th November
Time: 5.30pm
Title: Cocaire nan Cocairean / Cookery
Two chefs go head to head in the kitchen to try and satisfy Cathy MacDonald's guest in a new series of Còcaire nan Còcairean
Transmitted: Monday 29th November
Time: 8.30pm
Title: Trusdadh / Alternative Fuels
The Western Isles currently has the highest percentage of residents living under fuel poverty in Scotland, some estimates putting the figure at over 60% of the population. Why is this and what action is being taken to improve things?
Transmitted: Monday 29th November
Time: 9pm
Title: Uaigneas / Solitude
Uaigneas highlights the role of women in times of family crisis or trauma, giving a thought-provoking and heart-wrenching understanding of how they cope. In a personal and candid account Anne Martin tells how she coped with the death of her baby son.
Transmitted: Tuesday 30th November
Time: 8.30pm
Title: Eorpa
Another edition of Eorpa, reporting on the most interesting stories from around Europe.
Transmitted: Wednesday 1st December
Time: 8.30pm
Title: Air an Rathad
Air an Rathad is back, with the crew going head to head in a brand new driving challenge. Calum Iain has won his first rally of the season. Will his form continue on the remote forest tracks of Argyll? After the Model T Ford and the Mini, could you name the next best designed car of all time? Louise discovers the answer.
Transmitted: Thursday 2nd December
Time: 10.00pm
Title: SPL Hibs V st. Johnston
The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Hibernian take on St Johnston.
Transmitted: Saturday 27th November
Time: 5.30pm
Title: Cocaire nan Cocairean / Cookery
Two chefs go head to head in the kitchen to try and satisfy Cathy MacDonald's guest in a new series of Còcaire nan Còcairean
Transmitted: Monday 29th November
Time: 8.30pm
Title: Trusdadh / Alternative Fuels
The Western Isles currently has the highest percentage of residents living under fuel poverty in Scotland, some estimates putting the figure at over 60% of the population. Why is this and what action is being taken to improve things?
Transmitted: Monday 29th November
Time: 9pm
Title: Uaigneas / Solitude
Uaigneas highlights the role of women in times of family crisis or trauma, giving a thought-provoking and heart-wrenching understanding of how they cope. In a personal and candid account Anne Martin tells how she coped with the death of her baby son.
Transmitted: Tuesday 30th November
Time: 8.30pm
Title: Eorpa
Another edition of Eorpa, reporting on the most interesting stories from around Europe.
Transmitted: Wednesday 1st December
Time: 8.30pm
Title: Air an Rathad
Air an Rathad is back, with the crew going head to head in a brand new driving challenge. Calum Iain has won his first rally of the season. Will his form continue on the remote forest tracks of Argyll? After the Model T Ford and the Mini, could you name the next best designed car of all time? Louise discovers the answer.
Transmitted: Thursday 2nd December
Time: 10.00pm
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