Jim Mather Argyll & Bute MSP, welcomes the new online portal
which raises the profile of Scotland's history both at home and abroad.
Scotland's History Online is freely available enabling pupils, teachers
and the wider public to access a wealth of information about Scotland's
past. With more than 200 topics that include links to over 1,000 other
online sources and a wide range of interactive supporting materials
including games, video clips, photos, illustrations, maps, downloads and
archive materials. The resource is structured by time periods: Early
People (Prehistoric); Caledonians, Picts, Britons and Romans (Ancient);
Wars of Independence (Medieval); Medieval life (Medieval); Renaissance,
Mary Queen of Scots and the Reformation (Early Modern); Union of the
Crowns to Union of Parliaments (Early Modern); Jacobites, the Clearances
and Enlightenment (Early Modern); Making of Industrial and urban
Scotland (Modern); and Scotland in the 20th and 21st centuries (Modern.)
www.Itscotland.org.uk/scotlandshistory
Jim Mather said:
"This is an exciting site and well worth viewing. My colleague,
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop, is
to be congratulated on initiating this innovative resource and, judging
by the feed-back I have received, it is already a hit, proving to be
fascinating piece of work, it will grow and become wonderfully
addictive.
During the Year of Homecoming and beyond Scotland's History
Online will stimulate interest in our past, present and future. This
site is an outstanding resource for pupils and teachers (integrated to
the new Curriculum for Excellence), it will also help inform all Scots -
at home and abroad - and everyone who shares an interest in learning
about our country."
Monday, 2 November 2009
BBC ALBA Programme Highlights
Date: Saturday, 14 November – Friday, 20 November 2009
Title: Clach Mhìle – Architecture
First programme in this new five-part series, exploring contemporary Scottish build and design, its heritage and current resurgence. We celebrate with leading architects at the Inverness Architectural Awards and meet two families embarking on their own build journeys to create their dream home.
Transmitted: Monday 16th November 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: Cuide Ri Cathy
Cathy MacDonald gets some first class cooking tips and a glimpse into one of Scotland's top kitchens from Michelin award winning chef, Martin Wishart.
Transmitted: Monday 16th November 2009
Time: 22:00
Title: Eorpa – European current affairs
Another edition of Eorpa, reporting on the most interesting stories from around Europe.
Transmitted: Wednesday 18th November 2009
Time: 20:30
Title: Creachadh na Clarsaich – Derick Thomson
A documentary on the poetry of Derick Thomson, the renowned Gaelic poet. No other modern Gaelic writer has given as sustained and perceptive a picture of the multi-faceted world of Gaeldom. Born in Lewis he has spent most of his adult life on mainland Scotland. This programme filmed in the year 2000 sets out to allow something of his lifetime's poetry to speak for itself, with no less than twenty full poems being read by the author. The poet also speaks of the influences on his poetry, and reflects on the Gaelic society with which they deal, and on elements within it, such as the role of the Gaelic language, and associated institutions such as the school and the church.
Transmitted: Thursday 19th November 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: Ealtainn
Having established herself as a couturier at international level and being asked to design a dress for the Queen, Lewis-born Sandra Murray is putting highland fashion firmly on the map. We follow the designer as she travels to Cannes and Paris for material and exhibits her one-off dresses at a showcase in Skibo Castle.
Transmitted: Friday 20th November 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: Clach Mhìle – Architecture
First programme in this new five-part series, exploring contemporary Scottish build and design, its heritage and current resurgence. We celebrate with leading architects at the Inverness Architectural Awards and meet two families embarking on their own build journeys to create their dream home.
Transmitted: Monday 16th November 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: Cuide Ri Cathy
Cathy MacDonald gets some first class cooking tips and a glimpse into one of Scotland's top kitchens from Michelin award winning chef, Martin Wishart.
Transmitted: Monday 16th November 2009
Time: 22:00
Title: Eorpa – European current affairs
Another edition of Eorpa, reporting on the most interesting stories from around Europe.
Transmitted: Wednesday 18th November 2009
Time: 20:30
Title: Creachadh na Clarsaich – Derick Thomson
A documentary on the poetry of Derick Thomson, the renowned Gaelic poet. No other modern Gaelic writer has given as sustained and perceptive a picture of the multi-faceted world of Gaeldom. Born in Lewis he has spent most of his adult life on mainland Scotland. This programme filmed in the year 2000 sets out to allow something of his lifetime's poetry to speak for itself, with no less than twenty full poems being read by the author. The poet also speaks of the influences on his poetry, and reflects on the Gaelic society with which they deal, and on elements within it, such as the role of the Gaelic language, and associated institutions such as the school and the church.
Transmitted: Thursday 19th November 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: Ealtainn
Having established herself as a couturier at international level and being asked to design a dress for the Queen, Lewis-born Sandra Murray is putting highland fashion firmly on the map. We follow the designer as she travels to Cannes and Paris for material and exhibits her one-off dresses at a showcase in Skibo Castle.
Transmitted: Friday 20th November 2009
Time: 21:00
ARGYLL AND BUTE’S UNEMPLOYED BUILD FOR THE FUTURE
Unemployed people in the Oban and Lorn area are benefitting from a project to construct a scale model of a Caledonian MacBrayne ferry.
The two year project, which started on April 1 this year, is giving six months’ employment to approximately 30 local people who are out of work.
The group, overseen by Argyll and Bute Council’s Employability Team, is already well advanced in its bid to construct a 1:30 scale model of Caledonian MacBrayne’s ‘Isle of Mull’ ferry.
The impressive model is 3.3 metres (roughly 11 feet) long, and it is hoped it will have 21 moving parts once it is completed. Its finished weight will be some 300lbs.
The vessel, which will be fully radio-controlled, is being constructed in fibreglass and will be powered by two engines with an output of 250-300 Watts - similar to that of two Sinclair C5 motors.
Once completed, the boat will be handed over to Caledonian MacBrayne who will use it at Trade Shows and other high profile events.
The project is being part-funded by the European Social Fund.
It also involves a local primary school, as the P4 pupils of Taynuilt Primary have designed its logo.
The logo is currently being embroidered onto polo shirts, which will be distributed to those directly involved in the project.
Taynuilt Primary is also putting together calendars for both 2010 and 2011. In addition, the Employability Team is also sending the class down to the Glasgow Transport Museum to look at the history of the island ferries.
Caledonian MacBrayne has supplied the project with a set of scale drawings and endless technical advice.
The ferry operator has also given the children who took part in the logo competition a day out on the ferry with a visit to the Bridge deck to meet the Master.
The Team will shortly be erecting a progress board in Caledonian MacBrayne’s Passenger Terminal in Oban, which will chart the progress of the model along with the participating partners.
One of those working on the project is 25 year old Peter MacLean, who has been unemployed for 18 months.
“It’s been a really exciting experience, and I’ve learnt some amazing new skills and techniques,” he said.
“Working on this project from the drawing stage has given me a lot of self satisfaction and self belief. It’s great to see something of this size come to life from a piece of paper, and I’m looking forward to learning further skills as the project progresses”.
Councillor Robert Macintyre, Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson for Economy, Environment and Rural Affairs, said: “The Employability Team is renowned for its innovative, exciting approaches to helping meet the challenge of unemployment, and this project is a great example of that.
“The model already looks as if it is being constructed by professionals, and I know the Team is delighted by the way it is progressing.
“I congratulate those people who have been involved so far, who have demonstrated great skill and commitment, and everyone is looking forward to seeing the model progress towards completion over the next year or so.”
The two year project, which started on April 1 this year, is giving six months’ employment to approximately 30 local people who are out of work.
The group, overseen by Argyll and Bute Council’s Employability Team, is already well advanced in its bid to construct a 1:30 scale model of Caledonian MacBrayne’s ‘Isle of Mull’ ferry.
The impressive model is 3.3 metres (roughly 11 feet) long, and it is hoped it will have 21 moving parts once it is completed. Its finished weight will be some 300lbs.
The vessel, which will be fully radio-controlled, is being constructed in fibreglass and will be powered by two engines with an output of 250-300 Watts - similar to that of two Sinclair C5 motors.
Once completed, the boat will be handed over to Caledonian MacBrayne who will use it at Trade Shows and other high profile events.
The project is being part-funded by the European Social Fund.
It also involves a local primary school, as the P4 pupils of Taynuilt Primary have designed its logo.
The logo is currently being embroidered onto polo shirts, which will be distributed to those directly involved in the project.
Taynuilt Primary is also putting together calendars for both 2010 and 2011. In addition, the Employability Team is also sending the class down to the Glasgow Transport Museum to look at the history of the island ferries.
Caledonian MacBrayne has supplied the project with a set of scale drawings and endless technical advice.
The ferry operator has also given the children who took part in the logo competition a day out on the ferry with a visit to the Bridge deck to meet the Master.
The Team will shortly be erecting a progress board in Caledonian MacBrayne’s Passenger Terminal in Oban, which will chart the progress of the model along with the participating partners.
One of those working on the project is 25 year old Peter MacLean, who has been unemployed for 18 months.
“It’s been a really exciting experience, and I’ve learnt some amazing new skills and techniques,” he said.
“Working on this project from the drawing stage has given me a lot of self satisfaction and self belief. It’s great to see something of this size come to life from a piece of paper, and I’m looking forward to learning further skills as the project progresses”.
Councillor Robert Macintyre, Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson for Economy, Environment and Rural Affairs, said: “The Employability Team is renowned for its innovative, exciting approaches to helping meet the challenge of unemployment, and this project is a great example of that.
“The model already looks as if it is being constructed by professionals, and I know the Team is delighted by the way it is progressing.
“I congratulate those people who have been involved so far, who have demonstrated great skill and commitment, and everyone is looking forward to seeing the model progress towards completion over the next year or so.”
Friday, 23 October 2009
SCOTLAND'S VOICE MUST BE HEARD says Jim Mather MSP
In the light of the failure of Labour MPs to back ambitious
climate change targets at Westminster Jim Mather, MSP for Argyll & Bute
has joined with his MP colleagues in repeating demands for a Scottish
Government Minister to be part of the UK team attending the Climate
Change Conference in Copenhagen to ensure that the pace setting
legislation passed by the Scottish parliament is not sidelined by
default.
Jim Mather said:
" While disappointed that Labour MPs have this week failed to
back ambitious climate change target proposals at Westminster I suggest
that this reinforces the relevance of demands from my colleagues there
that Scotland should be represented at the top table in Europe
discussing these crucial matters. We have led the world in framing
legislation to tackle climate change. Our Bill sets the benchmark and is
achievable but we really do need international agreements to be
established so that targets are set out on an credible basis. Because of
this it is more essential than ever that a Scottish Minister be invited
to join the UK delegation to help set that agenda.
The Copenhagen meeting is the world's chance to make the right
decision and we have a place to play in that. We should not be denied
the opportunity to participate because of political posturing at
Westminster."
JIM MATHER MSP jim.mather.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
climate change targets at Westminster Jim Mather, MSP for Argyll & Bute
has joined with his MP colleagues in repeating demands for a Scottish
Government Minister to be part of the UK team attending the Climate
Change Conference in Copenhagen to ensure that the pace setting
legislation passed by the Scottish parliament is not sidelined by
default.
Jim Mather said:
" While disappointed that Labour MPs have this week failed to
back ambitious climate change target proposals at Westminster I suggest
that this reinforces the relevance of demands from my colleagues there
that Scotland should be represented at the top table in Europe
discussing these crucial matters. We have led the world in framing
legislation to tackle climate change. Our Bill sets the benchmark and is
achievable but we really do need international agreements to be
established so that targets are set out on an credible basis. Because of
this it is more essential than ever that a Scottish Minister be invited
to join the UK delegation to help set that agenda.
The Copenhagen meeting is the world's chance to make the right
decision and we have a place to play in that. We should not be denied
the opportunity to participate because of political posturing at
Westminster."
JIM MATHER MSP jim.mather.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
Loganair reinstates real-time flight information through Ceefax
Flybe franchise carrier Loganair has today (Friday, October 23) reinstated live flight information, available via Ceefax, across its route network.
An investment in new technology at the airline’s Glasgow headquarters has led to the service being restored following a gap of almost 12 months.
The ‘Rainmaker’ programme takes information directly from Loganair’s operating system, which is used to monitor the progress of each flight, and uploads the expected or actual arrival times for each service to Ceefax.
Flight information for all Loganair flights at Highlands and Islands airports, including inter-island services, can be accessed at Ceefax page 456. There is also an online version of Ceefax – at HYPERLINK "http://www.ceefax.tv" www.ceefax.tv – where page 456 is available.
Loganair’s commercial director, Jonathan Hinkles, said: “I’m pleased that our significant investment in new technology has enabled us to resume the availability of real-time flight information.
“We are committed to listening to our customers’ needs and making positive changes wherever we can. I hope that this further enhancement to our service will be welcomed.”
An investment in new technology at the airline’s Glasgow headquarters has led to the service being restored following a gap of almost 12 months.
The ‘Rainmaker’ programme takes information directly from Loganair’s operating system, which is used to monitor the progress of each flight, and uploads the expected or actual arrival times for each service to Ceefax.
Flight information for all Loganair flights at Highlands and Islands airports, including inter-island services, can be accessed at Ceefax page 456. There is also an online version of Ceefax – at HYPERLINK "http://www.ceefax.tv" www.ceefax.tv – where page 456 is available.
Loganair’s commercial director, Jonathan Hinkles, said: “I’m pleased that our significant investment in new technology has enabled us to resume the availability of real-time flight information.
“We are committed to listening to our customers’ needs and making positive changes wherever we can. I hope that this further enhancement to our service will be welcomed.”
Strike Ballot at Kilmarnock
Trade Union UNITE Press Release
Ballot begins as angry Diageo workers hit back against slurs
Angry workers at Diageo sites in Kilmarnock, Port Dundas and Shieldhall move closer to industrial action to defend their jobs and plants as a consultative ballot opens tomorrow (Tuesday).
The ballot begins at the Diageo plants facing heaviest job losses with the workforce furious at insinuations made recently that greed is what is motivating the workers' vigorous fight to save jobs. Last year, Diageo made over £2 billion in profit - up 10 per cent on the previous year - and awarded their CEO Paul Walsh a pay packet of £3.5 million. Walsh, who has shares worth more than £6 million, will also benefit from the fact that shareholder dividends are up by 5 per cent. Earlier this year, the workers accepted pay freezes and agreed to other cost saving measures, having been promised this would protect jobs for the future.
Yet the company is now threatening to punish workers refusing to accept its savage restructuring plans, which would see 900 workers thrown on the dole, close the historic home of Johnnie Walker in Kilmarnock and shut the Port Dundas distillery in Glasgow, by scything redundancy pay down to the state basic. This would see workers, many of whom have given decades of loyal service to the company, lose out on thousands of pounds in their time of greatest need.
Jennie Formby, Unite national officer for the drink sector, attacked Diageo's threats: "Here we have a mega-profitable, global giant trying to use its might and muscle to frighten Scottish workers into meek acceptance of savage cuts and plans which would ruin their communities.
"Diageo are showing their true colours now. Threatening to impose poverty at a time when people are frightened about their jobs and futures is deeply cynical, and coming from a company which has billions of pounds worth of pure profit sitting in the bank, nothing short of heartless.
"And we will absolutely not stand by while nasty insinuations are made in the press that workers are being greedy in seeking a fair redundancy deal from a company that makes millionaires out of senior executives yet threatens to slash redundancy packages when their workers ask for a fair deal.
"Our members are determined to fight to save their jobs and are not prepared to be thrown on the dole simply to further boost Diageo's already huge profits. They will show the strength of their anger when they vote on industrial action but we urge the company to avoid needless conflict by reopening dialogue with the workers and their unions on a fairer way forward on restructuring."
Unite recently proposed a plan which could save Diageo over £80 million and avoid the £36 million cost of shutting the Kilmarnock plant, the last major private sector employer in that community.
The union is also pressing for fair packages for those workers who opt for voluntary redundancies. It wants the company to give packages of at least equal value to previous closures, and to reverse the decision, imposed just three months before Diageo announced its closure plans, for the ability for people to commute a portion of their redundancy pay into their pension to allow early retirement.
The consultative ballot of the workers at the Kilmarnock, Port Dundas and Shieldhall plants opens on Tuesday, October 20th, and will close on Friday, October 30th.
Ballot begins as angry Diageo workers hit back against slurs
Angry workers at Diageo sites in Kilmarnock, Port Dundas and Shieldhall move closer to industrial action to defend their jobs and plants as a consultative ballot opens tomorrow (Tuesday).
The ballot begins at the Diageo plants facing heaviest job losses with the workforce furious at insinuations made recently that greed is what is motivating the workers' vigorous fight to save jobs. Last year, Diageo made over £2 billion in profit - up 10 per cent on the previous year - and awarded their CEO Paul Walsh a pay packet of £3.5 million. Walsh, who has shares worth more than £6 million, will also benefit from the fact that shareholder dividends are up by 5 per cent. Earlier this year, the workers accepted pay freezes and agreed to other cost saving measures, having been promised this would protect jobs for the future.
Yet the company is now threatening to punish workers refusing to accept its savage restructuring plans, which would see 900 workers thrown on the dole, close the historic home of Johnnie Walker in Kilmarnock and shut the Port Dundas distillery in Glasgow, by scything redundancy pay down to the state basic. This would see workers, many of whom have given decades of loyal service to the company, lose out on thousands of pounds in their time of greatest need.
Jennie Formby, Unite national officer for the drink sector, attacked Diageo's threats: "Here we have a mega-profitable, global giant trying to use its might and muscle to frighten Scottish workers into meek acceptance of savage cuts and plans which would ruin their communities.
"Diageo are showing their true colours now. Threatening to impose poverty at a time when people are frightened about their jobs and futures is deeply cynical, and coming from a company which has billions of pounds worth of pure profit sitting in the bank, nothing short of heartless.
"And we will absolutely not stand by while nasty insinuations are made in the press that workers are being greedy in seeking a fair redundancy deal from a company that makes millionaires out of senior executives yet threatens to slash redundancy packages when their workers ask for a fair deal.
"Our members are determined to fight to save their jobs and are not prepared to be thrown on the dole simply to further boost Diageo's already huge profits. They will show the strength of their anger when they vote on industrial action but we urge the company to avoid needless conflict by reopening dialogue with the workers and their unions on a fairer way forward on restructuring."
Unite recently proposed a plan which could save Diageo over £80 million and avoid the £36 million cost of shutting the Kilmarnock plant, the last major private sector employer in that community.
The union is also pressing for fair packages for those workers who opt for voluntary redundancies. It wants the company to give packages of at least equal value to previous closures, and to reverse the decision, imposed just three months before Diageo announced its closure plans, for the ability for people to commute a portion of their redundancy pay into their pension to allow early retirement.
The consultative ballot of the workers at the Kilmarnock, Port Dundas and Shieldhall plants opens on Tuesday, October 20th, and will close on Friday, October 30th.
NFUS on Big Challenges Ahead for Modern Agriculture
NFU Scotland has called for farmers on both sides of the Atlantic to work together in tackling the big challenges, such as climate change, that modern agriculture faces.
Attending the 34th North American and European agricultural conference, held this week at Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, NFUS President Jim McLaren said the conference demonstrated that the problems farmers face in Scotland, the UK and Europe are remarkably similar to those being faced by our North American counterparts.
Speaking from Niagara Falls, Mr McLaren said:
“Top of the agenda of issues for farmers – whether here or in North America - are fair returns from the marketplace for our produce and concerns over how we, as an industry, tackle the threat of climate change. Achieving a fair reward for the time, effort and money involved in producing food remains a perennial problem but the climate change debate is the one that is moving at pace.
“With the world’s political leaders due to sit down to discuss the environment and climate change in Copenhagen in December, it is likely that this landmark summit will be the launch pad for further targets, restrictions and challenges for our industry. We must turn this attention on climate change to our advantage and promote the positives that the farming industry has to offer by way of solutions. These positives greatly outweigh the negatives.
“Agriculture has long concerned itself with how the climate affects us and what we produce. It is time we focused on how our industry affects the climate. We require proportionate responses from Governments, politicians and decision-makers to the climate change challenge. Our industry is constantly improving its record on climate change and emissions but little measurement or appreciation of this is being factored in to current thinking. We require baselines and targets to be established and agreed with our industry and that these goalposts do not shift at short notice or on a political whim.
“Emissions are also a product of economic activity, and it would be unforgivable if Governments simply export that activity to third countries to carry out on behalf of our citizens. Not only does that achieve nothing in terms of global emissions reduction, but we also lose the valuable economic activity that goes with them.
“Politicians also need to appreciate that they are placing an increasing number of conflicting demands on our limited land area. These demands aim to satisfy policies on food production, food security, forestry and energy provision, as well as amenity and environmental objectives. This sends confusing messages to land managers. To address this, we require strong political leadership and broad international agreement on the best route forward. Copenhagen will provide the opportunity to start this process. We look forward to participating in the wider debate surrounding it.”
Attending the 34th North American and European agricultural conference, held this week at Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, NFUS President Jim McLaren said the conference demonstrated that the problems farmers face in Scotland, the UK and Europe are remarkably similar to those being faced by our North American counterparts.
Speaking from Niagara Falls, Mr McLaren said:
“Top of the agenda of issues for farmers – whether here or in North America - are fair returns from the marketplace for our produce and concerns over how we, as an industry, tackle the threat of climate change. Achieving a fair reward for the time, effort and money involved in producing food remains a perennial problem but the climate change debate is the one that is moving at pace.
“With the world’s political leaders due to sit down to discuss the environment and climate change in Copenhagen in December, it is likely that this landmark summit will be the launch pad for further targets, restrictions and challenges for our industry. We must turn this attention on climate change to our advantage and promote the positives that the farming industry has to offer by way of solutions. These positives greatly outweigh the negatives.
“Agriculture has long concerned itself with how the climate affects us and what we produce. It is time we focused on how our industry affects the climate. We require proportionate responses from Governments, politicians and decision-makers to the climate change challenge. Our industry is constantly improving its record on climate change and emissions but little measurement or appreciation of this is being factored in to current thinking. We require baselines and targets to be established and agreed with our industry and that these goalposts do not shift at short notice or on a political whim.
“Emissions are also a product of economic activity, and it would be unforgivable if Governments simply export that activity to third countries to carry out on behalf of our citizens. Not only does that achieve nothing in terms of global emissions reduction, but we also lose the valuable economic activity that goes with them.
“Politicians also need to appreciate that they are placing an increasing number of conflicting demands on our limited land area. These demands aim to satisfy policies on food production, food security, forestry and energy provision, as well as amenity and environmental objectives. This sends confusing messages to land managers. To address this, we require strong political leadership and broad international agreement on the best route forward. Copenhagen will provide the opportunity to start this process. We look forward to participating in the wider debate surrounding it.”
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