Friday 14 October 2011

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 22 October – Friday 28 October 2011

Title: SPL: St Mirren V Hibs

‘As-live’ coverage from the Scottish Premier League as St Mirren host Hibs at St Mirren Park, Paisley.

Transmitted: Saturday 22 October
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm


Title: Blas Music Festival 2011
Kirsteen MacDonald presents highlights from Hallaig, a special concert from Inverness Cathedral celebrating the work of the poet Sorley Maclean.

Transmitted: Saturday 22 October
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm


Title: Horo Gheallaidh / Celtic Music

World class musicians from the Celtic Connections festival drop in to give special, intimate performances at the Horo Gheallaidh ceilidh session's filmed in Glasgow and presented by Sarah Cruickshank. This week, Karen Matheson with Irish singer Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh, Basque accordionist Kepa Junkera, Scots singer Scott Garner and some great tunes from Dàimh. This is a unique opportunity to watch world-class artists up close, performing stripped down versions of their songs live on our sofa in a way you won't have seen them before.

Transmitted: Saturday 22 October
Time: 10.00 – 10.25pm


Title: Hurling / Shinty Ireland V Scotland

‘As-live’ coverage of the Hurling / Shinty international between Ireland and Scotland from Athy, Co. Kildare.

Transmitted: Sunday 23 October
Time: 4.00 – 5.30pm


Title: Trusadh – Suas is Sios Nam Inntinn / Bipolar and Me

Rhoda Meek has suffered from depression since she was a teenager. At 19, she was a presenter on the children's programme
Dè a-nis? Bubbly and with a 'give anything a go' attitude, you would never have known that beneath the surface, something was troubling her. But it was, as she battled with depression through these years.

Two years ago, Rhoda found herself having intense mood swings - going from being in a great mood to becoming extremely irritable - and was diagnosed with bipolar 2.

Suas is sìos nam Inntinn (Bipolar & Me) is Rhoda's personal journey as she explores the many different aspects of mental health.

Mental health problems affect 1 in 4 of Scots. However, despite this high prevalence, Rhoda is all too aware of the fear that often surrounds the illness. How difficult it is for people to accept that they, or a family member are experiencing mental health problems, and how hard it is to speak out? Amongst those that she speaks to, her father, Prof. Donald Meek, and the psychologist, Dr Rachel MacLeod.

Trusadh: Suas is sìos nam Inntinn (Bipolar & Me) - Rhoda's own moving story, and her personal journey, as she hears from others who have experienced mental health problems, and tries to learn from how they have managed to cope with things.

Transmitted: Monday 24 October
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm


Title: Turas Tony

Actor Tony Kearney from BBC's 'River City' swaps the comfort of a television studio for four varied and challenging professions.

Episode two sees Tony train as a chef in a top Glasgow restaurant. Can he handle the heat as he attempts to serve up a sumptuous meal for the toughest of critics - 10 of his River City colleagues?

Transmitted: Monday 24 October
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm


Title: Ceol Country

Anne Morrison presents highlights from the Kelso Country and Western Music Festival. Among the artists showcased at the festival are Raising Cain, Jim Clarke and the Haley Sisters. In addition to the music Anne spends a day with singer Chris Raddings, finding out more about his work as a music therapist.

Transmitted: Tuesday 25 October
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm


Title: Eorpa

Another edition of Eorpa, reporting on the most interesting stories from around Europe.

Transmitted: Wednesday 26 October
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm


Title: Na Geamannan / World Island Games

New series following Western Isles sportsmen and women as they prepare for this year's International Island Games on the Isle of Wight.

Transmitted: Thursday 27 October
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm


Title: Somhairle

An exploration of the life and work of Gaelic poet Sorley MacLean whose poetry is celebrated today both nationally and internationally.

Transmitted: Thursday 27 October
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm


Title: Siuthad Siubhal / Go! Explore! – Edinburgh

Our intrepid presenters tackle a variety of activities on offer in the Edinburgh/Lothians region - so don't be a couch potato! Go! Explore! The series is presented by Emma MacInnes and Derek ''Pluto'' Murray.

Transmitted: Thursday 27 October
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm


Title: Pro 12 Live Rugby Edinburgh V Leinster

LIVE rugby action from the Pro12 league as Edinburgh host Leinster at Murrayfield.

Transmitted: Friday 28 October
Time: 7.30 – 9.25pm


Title: Grinn / Makeover

Makeover show Grinn returns for a new series. In episode one Donna, Lynda and hair stylist John Comerford transform Carol
McGlone from South Uist.

Transmitted: Friday 28 October
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm

Digitilisation of Scotland’s Heritage vital to economic future of the Highlands & Islands

Jamie McGrigor, Highlands & Islands Conservative MSP, took part in today’s Scottish Government debate in the Scottish Parliament on the digital future of Scotland’s heritage. Jamie argued that digitilisation of Scotland’s heritage was vital to the future of the economy of the Highlands & Islands.
Speaking today, and following a meeting earlier in the afternoon at Parliament where Jamie held with Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor (Jamie’s own Clan Chief), The head of the Standing Council of Scottish Clan Chiefs, where he discussed the importance of family history tourism, he said:
“I associate myself with the many positive comments about the Scottish Ten project and I am delighted that two of the three Scottish UNESCO World Heritage Sites that have already been recorded by laser scanning- Neolithic Orkney and St Kilda- are in my region of the Highlands & Islands. I expect I am one of the few MSPs to have actually set foot on St Kilda which I did in the 1980s. I will never forget arriving at the islands on a June morning and the sky going black with the literally millions of seabirds who rose to greet us- it is a sight I shall never forget.
“ Genealogical tourism is already of real economic importance and there is huge potential for growth given the size of the Scottish Diaspora and the ever growing interest in family history. In the run up to today’s debate I received email correspondence from findagraveinscotland.com Nothing to do with Inspector Rebus but an organisation which aims to have one central online facility for all of Scotland’s burial and cremation records- this type of initiative is to be encouraged. People like to find their ancestors, they like to find their roots, especially if their roots are in Scotland.
“ I also commend the work of the team at the National Records of Scotland- under the outstanding leadership of my friend George Mackenzie- for their ScotlandsPeople website which is a world-class resource.”

"Dream homes become reality" - says Russell

FAMILY HOMES in the west coast’s most rural locations are no longer a pipe dream as the Scottish Government invests millions into Argyll for housing.

Locations where social housing is virtually unheard of such as Ulva on the Isle of Mull, Gigha, Ormsary and Dalmally took a share of the SNP government’s Housing Innovation fund. Lochgilphead, Hellensburgh and Dunbeg also took a share of the cash to invest in larger scale developments.

The five projects will deliver 137 homes at a cost to the Scottish Government’s Housing Innovation and Investment Fund of £5,123,234.

Argyll and Bute MSP Michael Russell said: ‘‘When we held a housing summit in Argyll and Bute only a few weeks ago it was pressed home to the housing minister Keith Brown that investment was necessary in innovative projects in Argyll and Bute to make things work in the future.

‘It is heartening to see that my colleagues are listening. These projects are innovative and impressive – they will bring substantial change to these areas.

‘Each of these projects has been taken on its own merits. The vision and innovation of rural and island communities is tremendous. With projects such as these we will begin to see a difference in the numbers of people and families who can stay in their own communities.’

Argyll and Bute Council’s deputy planning committee chairman Councillor Roddy McCuish, added: ‘I am especially delighted that housing associations and local groups have been awarded this cash.

‘Eight houses in Dalmally is equivalent to 20 in Oban. It is fantastic news and with this sort of opportunity I can imagine it is only the beginning. This is the way forward for housing in Argyll and Bute.

‘It is especially heartening to see the Scottish Government did its own review of the proposals as I understand some of the projects funded did not receive the full backing of the counci

Argyll and Bute looks at joint headships for schools

Argyll and Bute Council is to explore the establishment of joint headships of primary schools in the wake of a highly successful pilot project.

The move follows an in-depth evaluation of the pilot at Carradale and Drumlemble primaries, which have been sharing a head teacher since May 2010.

Today, the council agreed to looking into establishing similar arrangements in the future in other locations, provided various criteria are met.

The decision was welcomed by Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for education and lifelong learning Councillor Ellen Morton, who said it could prove a major factor in helping to ensure that the area’s schools remain sustainable.

“In the Carradale and Drumlemble case, both sets of parents and parent councils were consulted on the proposal before it actually happened and the pilot went ahead with their approval.

“The resulting evaluation - along with the direct feedback we received from the parents, staff and pupils in both schools – was overwhelmingly positive and the arrangement will now become a permanent one.

“The obvious benefits of a joint headship are clear to everyone who has been involved in this pilot, and I am delighted that this is an option which we will now be able to consider, in appropriate circumstances, in the future.”

At present, a significant number of head teachers in Argyll and Bute’s smaller, more rural schools have a class teaching commitment, which can be as much as three and a half days each week.

The remaining time is used for managing the day to day running of the school and its ongoing development.

Councillor Morton said: “Even in a school with a relatively low pupil roll, managing the school and teaching a class can be extremely demanding as it is sometimes difficult to maintain an appropriate balance between the two roles.

“Matters of high importance cannot always be left until later and, as a result, teaching time can be disrupted when a head teacher has to deal with such issues.

“In addition, access to a head teacher’s time for meetings with parents, visitors and other staff can be limited by that teaching commitment, putting additional pressure on a head teacher to fit management duties into a limited period each week.”

The council believes that joint headships of two geographically close schools could have major benefits in such a situation.

These benefits would not necessarily include significant cost savings, as additional class teachers may be taken on – perhaps in promoted posts – to pick up the teaching requirements in both schools previously covered by the head teacher.

The feedback from those involved in Carradale and Drumlemble primaries has been extremely positive with teachers, parents and carers and the head teacher herself all indicating their satisfaction with the arrangement.

Among the most obvious benefits were having a full time class teacher who does not have to leave the class to deal with managerial issues, having access to the head teacher at any time of day and the opportunity for staff from each school to meet with their counterparts from the other school on an organised basis to share experiences and ideas and plan common activities for the benefit of both schools.

“The feedback from this pilot has been so overwhelmingly positive that it has encouraged us to consider that this might be a suitable arrangement in other locations,” Councillor Morton said.

“Any opportunity for a similar arrangement which arises in the future will be considered on its own merit, and will be assessed against a comprehensive list of criteria. We will of course involve parent councils at an early stage in any proposed joint headship.

“We want to ensure that we do all we can to keep our rural schools vibrant and sustainable, and this could well prove a significant way of enabling that to happen in particular circumstances.”

The council agreed today that the criteria for considering future joint headships in Argyll and Bute should be:


Suitable head teacher vacancies becoming available in schools
A maximum of two schools for a joint headship arrangement
Location of partner schools (member of an existing cluster) and within a reasonable drive time
The consideration of schools’ similarities and differences based on each school’s self-evaluation information, council evaluations and HMIE reports
Travel implications for a joint headship (costs, travel times etc)
The ability and experience of applicants to match the criteria set out in the Scottish Qualification for Headship
Consultation with both parent councils
Financial sustainability

PRÒGRAMAN BHO MHÒD NAN EILEAN SIAR AIR BBC ALBA

Bidh BBC ALBA a’ toirt prògraman thugaibh gach feasgar bhon chòigeamh Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail a chaidh a chumail anns Na h-Eileanan Siar.

Tha Mòd a’ Chomuinn Ghàidhealaich na phrìomh fhèis ann an coimhearsnachd na Gàidhlig, a’ brosnachadh agus a’ neartachadh cànan, cultar, eachdraidh agus dualchas nan Gàidheal.

Bidh an seinneadair ainmeil Màiri Anna NicUalraig a’ libhrigeadh còig prògraman air BBC ALBA anns am faicear taghadh de na prìomh thachartasan a bhios ann gach latha bho Dhiluain 17 gu Dihaoine 21 Dàmhair.

Eadar na bhios ri chluinntinn air Radio nan Gàidheal agus na bhios ri fhaicinn air prògraman BBC ALBA agus air www.bbcalba.co.uk gheibh an luchd-amhairc is an luchd-èisteachd, ge bith càite am bi iad, fìor dheagh bhlas den fhèis chudromaich seo agus airson a’ chiad uair a-riamh, bidh BBC ALBA a' toirt thugaibh farpais Bonn Òr an t-Seann Nòis air oidhche Dhiardaoin.

Bidh na prògraman a leanas cuideachd air BBC ALBA:

· Diluain 17mh, 8.30f-10f: Màiri Anna NicUalraig le seinneadairean a bha soirbheachail air a' chiad latha de Mhòd na Cloinne ann an Steòrnabhagh.
· Dimàirt 18mh, 8.30f-10f: Tha Màiri Anna NicUalraig a’ cur fàilte oirbh gu cuirm le farpaisich a ghlèidh duaisean air an dàrna latha de Mhòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail nan Eilean Siar.
· Diciadain 19mh, 9.00f-10f: Tha Mòd nan Eilean Siar leathach-slighe agus tha Màiri Anna NicUalraig aig cèilidh ann an Steòrnabhagh a’ toirt thugaibh blas bho iomall a' Mhòid.
· Diardaoin 20mh, 8.30f-10f: Tha Màiri Anna NicUalraig a' toirt thugaibh farpais Bonn Òr an t-Seann Nòis.
· Dihaoine 21mh, 8.30f-10f: Tha Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail nan Eilean Siar a’ tighinn gu crìch agus tha Màiri Anna NicUalraig a’ toirt thugaibh cuirm crìochnachaidh a’ Mhòid à Steòrnabhagh.

Air madainn Dihaoine bidh Mòrag Dhòmhnallach air Radio nan Gàidheal le aon de phrìomh thachartasan craolaidh a’ Mhòid, Cèilidh Mire ri Mòr bho Thaigh-òsta a’ Chabar Fèidh, a’ tòiseachadh aig 10m.

Bidh gu leòr ann cuideachd do luchd-amhairc nas òige leis gu bheil sgioba Aileag (Dihaoine 21mh @ 5.30f) agus sgioba Dè a-nis? (Diciadain 19mh @ 6.00f) a’ tadhal air Steòrnabhagh.