Tuesday 7 February 2012

MG ALBA WELCOMES AWARDS SUCCESS FOR CHARTS SHOW

The first ever bilingual Scottish Chart Show on commercial radio has won the Gaelic Broadcasting Award at the Highlands & Islands Media Awards 2011 ceremony held on Friday 3rd February.

The Scottish Chart Show is a collaboration between Moray Firth Radio (MFR) and MG ALBA and is presented by Davey D and Roya MacLean.

The show is aimed at the 15-24 year old market showcasing the Gaelic Language within a chart show formula. In addition to being broadcast on MFR the show is also available on Isles FM, Two Lochs Radio, Cuillin FM, Argyll FM and Nevis Radio.

Roya MacLean (22) is from Muir of Ord and attended Dingwall Academy. Roya graduated from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in 2011 with a BA (Hons) in Gaelic and Traditional Music. In addition to her presenting role with MFR, Roya is a talented musician and plays regularly at venues and events throughout Scotland.

Danny Gallagher, Managing Director at MFR said “MFR is delighted to have won this award and I would like to thank our team and MG ALBA who have been very supportive of our production values on this project.”

Donald Campbell, Chief Executive of MG ALBA, said: “This is a great step forward for Gaelic broadcasting and we congratulate the MFR team on this success on bringing the first ever bilingual Scottish Chart show in English and Gaelic to audiences across Moray and Aberdeen shire as well the Highlands and Islands”

MFR is available on 97.4FM, 1107AM, DAB digital radio, smart-phone Apps as well as via the listen live function available online at www.mfr.co.uk.

The awards, which recognise media excellence in the Highlands and Islands are now in their 24th year and this year’s awards were presented by Richard Lochhead MSP Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment.

Monday 6 February 2012

MSP URGES LOCAL PARTICIPATION IN CAP CONSULTATION PROCESS

Highlands & Islands MSP Mike MacKenzie has joined with colleagues in urging constituents across the Highlands and Islands to take part in the consultation process that was launched at the weekend to suggest reform in the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Welcoming this initiative Mike MacKenzie said,

"There are few topics that raise more concerns across the agricultural and food supply industries in the Highlands and Islands than the application of the Common Agricultural Policy. Many of those criticisms are based upon the considerable anomalies that presently occur and these are caused by a failure on the part of past representation of specifically Scottish interests in the councils of the EU. There is no doubt that we require a fairer and more flexible system that directs support where it is most needed allowing producers to continue producing quality food and the efficient management of our landscape.

The current consultation follows a series of road shows which gave information of the proposed reforms. The consultation is the next step in this process and participation is vitally important. An online facility is there for those who prefer that option. I would urge all concerned parties to submit their views on this."
Contact; mike.mackenzie.msp@scottish.parliament.uk

The consultation is available online at
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/01/7299

and direct links are at

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/01/7299/4

Paper copies of the consultation documents are available. Call 0300 244 9254.

Argyll and Bute sustainable design awards 2012

The annual Argyll and Bute design awards will run this year from Monday 13 February and until Friday 30 March.

First held in 2009 the Argyll and Bute design awards recognise, promote and celebrate examples of exceptional design quality across the area. Anyone involved in the design process can enter the planning awards including local authorities, consultants, community groups, developers, public agencies and voluntary organisations. However only developments which have had work carried out, or completed, between June 2009 and December 2011 will be eligible to take part.

There are four categories for this year’s awards. They are:



· New build residential (single or small scale)

· New build large scale residential development

· New build non residential

· Redevelopment or refurbishment of an existing building



This year sustainability will be a theme which runs through all four categories and this must be clearly demonstrated in entries. They must also clearly show the long-term positive environmental impact of the development.



Chair of the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee Councillor Daniel Kelly said, “I am delighted that the council is running the design awards again this year. Having sustainability as a theme recognises the importance the council places on renewable materials.”

Full details of the awards, including how to enter are available on our website at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 11 February – Friday 17 February 2012

Title: SPL St Johnstone v Dundee United

The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as St Johnstone host Dundee United at McDiarmid Park, Perth.

There has been a share of the spoils in both previous Tayside derbies this season. Their last match ended in a 0-0 stalemate in October, so viewers will be hoping for a repeat of their first encounter in August which ended in a scintillating 3-3 draw.

Transmitted: Saturday 11 February
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm


Title: An Ribheid Chiuil

The pipes are one of the music world's most distinctive sounds and piping is one of its earliest musical forms. This exciting, new series - An Ribheid Chiùil / Reed Music - tells the amazing story of the instrument and its players, and is a fascinating introduction to the international, colourful and exciting world of the pipes. From diffusion, change and sophistication in the world of piping over history, to today's players who have taken piping into new popularity through pipebands, solo performing and bands touring international festivals and circuits.

The last programme in the series looks at how the pipes are now being used alongside other instruments in bands leading to new, exciting and developing sounds. The trail blazed by Moving Hearts in Ireland and Scotland's Tannahill Weaver and continued today by a new generation of musical collaborations including Daimh, Breabach and Ross Ainslie & Jarlath Henderson. Presented by piper Anna Murray.

Transmitted: Monday 13 February
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm


Title: Farpaisean Chon-Chaorach / Sheepdog Trials

The first day of the 2011 International Sheepdog Trials, from Tain, Ross-shire.

Transmitted: Tuesday 14 February
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm


Title: Eorpa

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

Transmitted: Wednesday 15 February
Time: 8.30 - 9.00pm


Title: Gleusta

Gleusta is a fast, exciting studio game show in which two teams of youngsters go head to head in a battle of brains, wit and agility.

With the support of a special celebrity guest, the teams meet on the studio set of Gleusta and battle over five rounds of competition.

This week's programme features teams from Gairloch Primary School and Portree Primary School, with special guests Mairi Rodgers and Mairi Alice Bartlett. Gleusta is presented by Liz Pyper & Steven MacIver, directed by Michael Hines and produced for Sealladh by Morag Stewart.

Transmitted: Thursday 16 February
Time: 5.30 – 6.00pm


Title: Glasgow City FC

The City girls play against powerful German opposition in the last 16 of the Champions League. Anne Morrison joins the team as they aim to lift the Scottish Cup final and a domestic double. Kat plays her last game for City and the girls look back on a record-breaking season.

Transmitted: Thursday 16 February
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm


Title: Sgeulaiche

Bhlurb works in a zoo, but this is no ordinary zoo. He goes to the rainbow coloured Llama with a special request. A story created and read by Sean MacKenzie and Caine Johnson.

Transmitted: Friday 17 February
Time: 5.50 – 6.00pm


Title: Alba 1986

Experience some of the stories hitting the headlines in 1986 through archive footage and the year’s chart hits: The Commonwealth Games are held in Edinburgh, Prince Charles and Princess Diana visit Shetland and a book about the Glaswegian dialect, “The Patter”, becomes a hit. The year’s chart hits include Europe’s The Final Countdown, Berlin’s Take my Breath Away and Falco’s Rock Me Amadeus.

Transmitted: Friday 17 February
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm