sign in sign up
<<
Home , Duisky, Fassfern, Kilmallie, Kinlocheil

Issue No 65, September 2019 delivered free to every home and business in Kilmallie

KILMALLIE COMMUNITY NEWS the other election coming up

All community councils in come to the end of their 4 year term shortly. All current community councillors must stand down. All are eligible for re-election, though we know that not all current KCC members intend to stand again for another term. If KCC is to assuredly continue to exist, new candidates must come forward for election. It would be great if KCC can increase its numbers and its capacity to act (skills, resources and time available) as there are so many current and upcoming issues that impact on our quality of life locally. If you’re interested in local issues, have skills, knowledge or opinions to offer, and have the good of the community at heart, do please think about nominating yourself as a candidate. What’s it like being a Kilmallie Community Councillor? Do speak to any of Kilmallie’s current Community Councillors if you want to know more about what’s involved generally, or if you want to know more about the ongoing local issues that we have been involved in. Who can become a Kilmallie Community For more information Councillor? Information on community councils, including a map of each area is available at Highland Council’s website: https://www.highland.gov.uk/ Anyone aged 16 or over, and on the electoral roll for the Kilmallie area, who communitycouncils is interested in making Kilmallie a better place to live. If you have skills or opinions to contribute, you can make a difference. For more information on the election process and timetable go to www.highland.gov.uk/downloads/file/15138/ How can you become a Community Councillor? community_council_election_procedures It’s simple. All you have to do is complete a nomination form. Forms are For queries about the Community Council election, please contact the available from Dot Ferguson, Ward Manager or on Highland Council’s Elections Office on 01349 886 657 or [email protected]. website www.highland.gov.uk/elections To check if you are a registered voter and eligible to become a community The completed forms must be returned by 12 noon on Tuesday 8th October councillor, contact the Electoral Registration Office on 01463 703341 or to Dot Ferguson, Ward Manager. email [email protected]. Election Process in this issue For Kilmallie, the maximum number of Community Councillors permitted by from the chair – p2 wild about Kilmallie - p7 Highland Council rules is 8, and the minimum is 4. gas - in whose interests? - p2 in Colour - p8 if there are between 4 and 8 candidates after the close of nominations, all KCC meetings – p3 Floral - p8 candidates will be automatically elected and the new Community Council Blar street names - p3 green fingers - p8 will be formed as from 10th October 2019. noise & light pollution - p4 Games Club - p9 If there are more than 8 candidates, an election by postal ballot is held by Big Climate Conversation - p4 Kilmallie Shinty - p9 Highland Council. Anyone registered in Kilmallie on the electoral roll is plans afoot - p5 Corpach Woods - p9 eligible to vote. Voters are able to choose up to 8 candidates. smells from - p5 canal news - p10 If there are less than 4 candidates, Kilmallie Community Council will Banavie quarry - p6 glyphosate - p11 automatically and immediately cease to exist (though it could be reinstated slower safer smilier- p6 Old Kilmallie Cemetery - p11 via a similar electoral process at a later date if there was sufficient interest. community policing - p6 Sponsors - p12  Seeking clarification from HIE regarding the Our thanks are due to many people: kilmallie feasibility study for a deep water harbour at • our Highland Councillors, Allan Henderson, Ben Annat Thompson and Denis Rixson who have a good community  Proposed port and rail expansion at Annat by record of attending our meetings Ferguson Transport • PS Ross McCartney, Police Liaison Officer and council  Reacting to a proposed Domestic Waste sometimes PS Deborah McCartney Transfer Station at Annat • the Kilmallie Community Centre and Jimmy Milne Chair’s Report to AGM, June 2019 • Attendance at other meetings and events: the Manager This is my third annual report and I present it being  Transport Forum and Lochaber Bus • all our newsletter sponsors, contributors and very fortunate in having a good team around me in User’s Group delivery teams Mandy, Carol Anne, Treasurer Jan, Jim and Secretary  Steering Group and Communications & • and to all the individuals and community groups Russell. Engagement sub-group for the new Belford who make Kilmallie a great place to live.

hospital Our activities over this last year have fallen into the I would particularly like to thank my colleague following categories:  Consultations on the proposed housing and community councillors for their work and support West Highland College UHI Centre for • Pursuing local issues including, noise, smells and throughout this year. Science and Technology on the Blàr Mòr dumping The Partnership of Fort William Area Community Looking to the future, I remind you that our term • Responding to Highland Council Planning on Councils has met occasionally, particularly on comes to an end in November and so we need new proposals that will affect us supporting the creation of a Harbour members to take the CC forward. Our aim should be • Communication and engagement with the Authority but there remains considerable scope for to find folk who can represent the extent of Kilmallie community via: the CCs to support each other on the many matters from the High School to Erracht to . There  four newsletters, produced and delivered of mutual interest. is scope for up to eight members, essential to spread free of charge to every home and business in the load – wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had to hold Kilmallie, completely by volunteers, though Having been reduced last year, our annual grant from an election! we have had to reduce its size latterly the Highland Council remained stable this year. Such meagre funding is certainly demotivating and has  our website, Twitter and Facebook pages, It can be very rewarding to serve on a community directly affected our Newsletter- as the lowest tier in our two noticeboards and suggestion boxes council. Kilmallie is the biggest development area in our democratic hierarchy our needs are modest and Lochaber at the moment with the new Belford, the • Specific projects such as: it is a shame that they can’t be met. West Highland College Centre for Science and  continuing our “Slower Safer Smilier” Technology and houses on the Blar Mor, together campaign, with the Corpach crossing a major Our limited Newsletter budget has meant that we with the Marina and the possibility of a deep water success have had reduce its size but I am pleased to say that harbour and gas storage at Corpach. We should all  Banavie War Memorial access and lettering we have donations of money, mostly from be glad that we have a Community Council; some individuals, which so far have totalled £580. We are  advisory ‘Twenty’s Plenty’ speed limit now in places don’t and you have shown that you’ll be with really grateful for this support as we are determined place at Hillview Drive and Drumfada being us when it’s critical. That’s what has given us not to charge. The feedback I get helps me realise pursued confidence over the period but it’s now time for that this is much more than a production process. • Direct involvement with consultations, others to step forward. The Newsletter takes the community into folks’ presentations and gatherings including homes and this is invaluable for those who are less Help Kilmallie Community Council to help Kilmallie.  Final West Highlands and Islands active or those who are focussed on other things. Thank you all. Development Plan along with the Fort Christine Hutchison, William Area Community Councils’ Chair, Kilmallie Community Council Partnership [email protected]

examination of the business case and does not housing on the Blar to be heated by gas, when include any assessment of impacts on the several other preferable options are available. gas - in whose environment or the community. There is also no Highland Council’s plans for gas heating at the Blar obligation to make any of the results public. development seem even stranger when there are interests? Continued use of coal is clearly a problem but no plans for gas heating in the new Lochyside or Following a series of complaints, we have been replacing it with another fossil fuel is not the Upper Achintore houses. The dangers of trying to help solve problems of noise and light answer. It seems illogical that the proposals for focussing on old ways of providing energy have pollution from the port at Corpach. Some of these gas carriers should come now, at a time when recently been highlighted by the Organisation for impacts are related to activities that breach there is a commitment to phase out fossil fuel use Economic Co-operation and Development, which planning conditions. These are being followed up, because of climate breakdown. A gas terminal is a bit like the international equivalent of HIE; the but any action takes time, and enforcement can would mean a huge amount of infrastructure general secretary Angel Gurría said “Our policies be difficult. This highlights the need for planning development for something that could only be have to be made with our children’s future in decisions to consider the impacts on the used for a few years. HIE have justified putting mind … short-term decision-making can lock community from the outset, rather than trying to public money into this on the grounds that it countries into expensive mistakes in financing and fix problems through planning conditions further could help tackle fuel poverty. This is not a valid developing infrastructure … that will be neither down the line. This is especially important for argument for many reasons. Gas may be cheaper necessary nor profitable in a low-emissions world, Corpach where there is also a feasibility study than other lower carbon forms of energy just now, they will be stranded assets”. Both HIE and currently being carried out for a deep water port. but that certainly won’t be the case in the future if Highland Council need to heed this advice. There Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) are funding proper action is taken to address the climate is no excuse for new housing developments to be Liberty Aluminium and ClydeBoyd to examine the emergency. Irrespective of the environmental reliant on fossil fuels and if HIE are to be economic feasibility of an expansion of the port at impacts, encouraging people who are already perceived as anything other than a way of Corpach and development of a multi-modal struggling financially to invest in new systems channelling public money into large private transport terminal. This will include consideration based on gas is irresponsible. It may address fuel companies and promoting their interests, the of extending the pier out to Eilean nan Craobh, poverty statistics in the short term but will projects it funds need to take proper account of use by Liquefied Natural Gas contribute to greater overall poverty in the long environmental and community interests. term. (LNG) carriers, and onshore storage facilities for LNG. The Highland Council is being similarly irresponsible Russell Leaper 2 HIE funding only requires an and backward-looking in planning for the new Secretary, Kilmallie Community Council caring, engaging, listening, representing, making a difference locally regrettably slimmed down over the last year due to Highland Council cuts in funding to kilmallie Community Councils. The team are KCC meetings

immensely proud of what we’ve achieved. the place to share your ideas and concerns It’s amongst the best community community about local issues - everyone welcome publications produced anywhere in , and we’re particularly proud that it’s been news produced free of charge as a community Arrangements for future meetings will be service, rather than as a consumer confirmed by the new Community Council in A huge thank you commodity, or with lots of commercial due course. advertising. We have brought to you the to all the individuals who responded to our community lots of information about local call for donations in the last issue. Their issues that you wouldn’t have otherwise Look out for details on noticeboards and great generosity has enabled us to produce known about. Given the huge changes that Facebook this current issue and to add back in an extra are likely to be happening in our area over 4 pages of features. Our grateful thanks to the next few years, we hope the new you all on behalf of everyone in the Community Council can continue to keep community who enjoys the newsletter. everyone informed, in breadth and depth, as KILMALLIE

much as possible. We apologise for the very late publication of COMMUNITY COUNCIL this issue, originally intended for July, due to Our huge thanks to all the brilliant personal circumstances of team members. contributors over the years, and to our We’re very sorry that as a result some From 8th October 2019 stalwart delivery teams., and to all our articles may be rather out of date - sincere Awaiting results of Community Council sponsors without whom it couldn’t have apologies to our contributors and our election. Please ask Highland Council for been done at all. Thanks too to Printsmith readers. details of new CC members who have provided an excellent and reliable service. This may be the last newsletter in its present Until 8th October 2019 format. Its format, and maybe its future, is Your newsletter team: Chair Christine Hutchison dependent on whether KCC is still Christine Hutchison 772252 [email protected] constituted after 8th October, and whether Jan MacLugash 772383 Secretary Russell Leaper the new CC members are committed to and Sue Chadney Canal House, Banavie, PH33 7LY able to continue publishing it. Mandy Ketchin [email protected] Treasurer Jan MacLugash The newsletter in its present form has been Views expressed in this Salen, Banavie PH33 7LY going for 8 years, delivered free to all newsletter are not households and businesses within Kilmallie. necessarily the views [email protected] It started as 12 pages and steadily grew to of the newsletter team Members Mandy Ketchin 36 pages, packed full of local news, or of Kilmallie Carol Anne Campbell information and features, although Community Council. Jim Ramsay

The loss of the Blar as a highly effective carbon store peat bog is most regrettable in the context of the climate emergency. Our Blar favourite satirical street name suggestion that we’ve received so far is “Sea Level Rise”.

street names Moss Park would probably be an ideal name were it not already in Highland Council, who are developing the new housing on the Blar, use on the side of the Blar. have asked Kilmallie Community Council for our views on their proposed new street names. The names they have suggested are KCC suggests something along the lines of East Moine and North Nevis View and Nevis Way. KCC felt these were rather Moine (moine being the Gaelic for moss). unimaginative (to put it mildly), and even against Highland Council’s own streetnaming guidelines given that the names are very generic If you have any other suggestions for naming these streets please let and already in use elsewhere. KCC know as soon as possible.

The best street names tend to be ones that have geographic, historic We are weary of seeing road signs and other references to the or cultural relevance to the specific location. KCC think it is really incorrectly spelt Blar Mhor. important to preserve the name Blar Mor, although it will be a historical reference rather than a geographic one now that the Blar has been destroyed as a landscape feature. We think Blar Mor Highland Council, Transport Scotland and should continue to be used as the name of the area, as part of the everyone else please note the postal address of any developments on the site, just as the Police Station’s address is Blar Mor. correct spelling is Blar Mor. 3 caring, engaging, listening, representing, making a difference locally inclusive of loading and unloading of vessels economic feasibility of an expansion of the noise & light and docking of vessels; and all works and uses port. The HIE funding is just to consider the of the jetty between 2200 on a Saturday and business aspects and will not include any 0600 on a Monday inclusive of loading and assessment of impacts on the environment or pollution from unloading of vessels and docking of vessels. the community. Much of the noise problem would not be difficult to solve but would Corpach port However, the problems of noise and out of require some investment by the port. A hours vessel operations have persisted. In hydraulic ram system would remove the noise There have been ongoing complaints for some addition, new lights were erected that from banging logs against a block to line them years about noise and light issues associated illuminate much more than the required area up. Provision of shore power would also greatly with Boyd’s activities at Annat. The noise including the south side of and cause reduce the local noise and air pollution from problems are mainly associated with ship considerable light pollution. In April 2019 we ships running generators in port. KCC will movements outside of permitted working hours met planning officers again along with continue to push for the current planning and from banging logs against a steel block CC to discuss how the planning legislation conditions to be enforced and for the full associated with loading and unloading of ships might be effectively enforced. We are still impacts on the community and the within permitted hours. waiting for an update on the actions that were environment to be taken into account when agreed at that meeting. considering any expansion of the port. In April 2018, we were informed that Highland Council had served a Breach of Condition This is an important test case of the ability of Notice on Boyd Brothers (Haulage) Ltd in the planning system to effectively protect relation to working outwith their permitted people’s quality of life through the use of operational hours. The terms of the notice planning conditions intended to limit industrial require them to comply with the terms of their activities that are happening close to residential planning permission by 11 June 2018 and areas. While the planning department has been specifically stop all works and uses of the jetty struggling with lack of resources to enforce the between 2200 and 0600 Monday to Saturday planning conditions, HIE have been providing funds to the port operator to examine the Big Climate Conversation & the climate emergency Several members of KCC participated in the Scottish Government’s think and act in a way that has never had ‘Big Climate Conversation’ event at the Nevis Centre on 7 August. to happen before. The aim of the event was to discuss actions to tackle the global So there is huge public concern and climate emergency. The Climate Change Bill which is currently going support for action and a government that through Parliament was recently amended to set a target date of wants to adopt the most stringent 2045 for reaching net-zero emissions. The amendments to the Bill statutory targets in the world and definitively end our contribution also raised the ambition of the 2030 and 2040 targets to 70% and to climate change within a generation. Individuals and the Scottish 90% emissions reductions respectively. These amendments Government are only part of the picture, in between there is a huge recognise the most recent scientific advice that increasingly public and private sector who also need to be pushed to act. The highlights the desperate urgency of the situation. Scottish Government expects ‘Scotland's public bodies to lead by The event was well attended with lively participation from all age example in combating climate change and making a valuable groups. The average age was much younger than a typical contribution towards achieving our emissions reduction targets’. Community Council meeting reflecting that the climate emergency is KCC has already raised concerns about how recent actions by probably the biggest issue of concern for younger people. The clear, Highland Council, for example digging up the peat bog on the Blar almost unanimous, message to the Scottish Government was that and fossil fuel heating systems for new council housing people want more to be done and that this has to be done more developments, will exacerbate climate change. We will continue to quickly. Time is running out and we all need to change the way we push all public bodies in our area to act responsibly.

Did you know... Did you know... Did you know... that peatlands cover just 3% of the world’s that flying has a devastating impact on the that UK consumers bought twice as many surface - yet hold nearly 30% of the soil’s climate? items of clothing in 2018 as they did in carbon? 2009, and that 60% of the clothes went to One transatlantic flight can add as much to landfill or incinerators within a year of Peatlands are the world’s largest terrestrial your carbon footprint as a typical year’s purchase? carbon stock - storing at least 550 gigatonnes worth of driving. The total global warming of carbon globally - more than twice the impact of each flight is thought to be around 300,000 tonnes of clothes are sent to British carbon stored in all the world’s forests. twice as high as the CO2 emissions alone landfills per year. Less than 1% of the because of all the other ‘outputs’ at high material used in clothing production around

levels of the atmosphere, including nitrous the world is recycled after use. 4 oxide, water vapour and soot. caring, engaging, listening, representing, making a difference locally For further information about Weekly Planning LBC = Listed Building Consent Lists, see the Sept 2014 edition of Kilmallie PNO = Prior Notification plans afoot Community News. If you would like to receive OHL = Overhead Electricity Line Here are the local applications that weekly lists by email, please contact KCC ADV = Advertisement we’ve noticed on the Weekly Secretary. MSC = Matters Specified in Conditions (ie typically Lists in the last few months, up follow-up details to a permission already granted) to 12/08/19. Some may already PIP = Permission in Principle SCOP = Scoping application have been determined. FUL = Full Application

12/08/19 19/03457/FUL Replacement of existing chalet, Craigewan Old Banavie Road Banavie

07/08/19 19/03587/FUL Installation of pod for holiday letting, Archwood Lodge 76 Camaghael

Alterations and extension to existing garage into a 1 bed 2 per bungalow , Land 40M West Of The Old Mission 29/07/19 19/03279/PIP Kinlocheil

30/07/19 19/03102/FUL Change of use of summer house into a self catering holiday let, Ardarroch Cottage Kinlocheil

Erection of toilets, laundry room and coffee shop to serve proposed marina. Application is submitted with 26/07/19 19/03434/FUL reference to 16/04706/FUL and 18/02172/FUL TTCM Shore Facilities Building, Corpach Marina

22/07/19 19/03061/ADV Site sign board, Site At Blar Mor And Corpach Moss

26/07/19 19/02863/FUL Siting of holiday letting accommodation pod, Allt-Na-Bruaich Kinlocheil

Partial change of use of land from Class 6, to allow the temporary siting of modular accommodation units, 55m 28/06/19 19/02926/FUL North West Of Unit 9 Annat Point Industrial Estate

20/06/19 19/02748/PNO Erection of agricultural building, Coire Nan Runan 13 Muirshearlich

13/06/19 19/02587/FUL Proposed 273KW PV array to supply Lochaber High School, Lochaber High School Camaghael

14/05/19 19/02046/LBC Retail outlet with ancillary snack bar, selling cold foods and drinks, Old Smiddy Camaghael

Land 400M NE Of Blar Mhor Industrial Estate. Approval of matters specified in conditions 2n. 2r, 6, 7 and 8 of 07/05/19 19/00965/MSC application 18/03647/PIP in relation to enabling works for the formation of a new SUDS basin and the extension of an existing SUDS basin to serve Phase 1 residential development

03/05/19 19/01993/FUL Erection of extension to house and siting of holiday letting pod, Morvan Corpach

02/05/19 19/01988/FUL Siting of holiday letting pod, 20 Caledonian Road Corpach

29/04/19 19/01203/FUL Upgrade of slipway and erection of concrete abutment , Slipway Annat Corpach

29/04/19 19/01035/RCC Construction of estate roads & associated footways , Phase 1 Land 400m NE Of Blar Mhor Industrial Estate

23/04/19 19/00795/FUL Erection of house, Plot 4 Campbell Road Banavie Fort William

Temporary siting of modular accommodation block, 55m NW of Unit 9, Annat Point Industrial Estate 16/04/19 19/01216/FUL Later withdrawn and replaced by subsequent application 18/02926/FUL, see above

17/04/19 19/01748/PNO Erection of agricultural building, Craigdhu, Banavie

municipal waste in landfill from 1 January 2021. One of the reasons for this is to reduce the production of ‘landfill gas’ which is a mixture of Smells from Duisky methane and carbon dioxide. As well as the unpleasant smell, methane is a serious contributor to climate change with each How should we deal with our waste? molecule having 25 times the effect of a molecule of carbon dioxide. We have been trying for some years now to support residents at in their calls to get something done about the smells from The persistent problems at Duisky highlight the need for better ways the landfill site at Duisky. Fassfern is often directly downwind of the to manage waste which currently amounts to around 8,200 tonnes site and at times the powerful stench coming across the loch can be from around Lochaber disposed of at Duisky each year. Reducing extremely unpleasant. waste has multiple benefits: reduced costs of disposal, reduced traffic on the roads, less local environmental damage and less contribution SEPA are responsible for ensuring compliance with management to the climate emergency. According to Highland Council, they regulations to avoid this, but despite a number of inspections and manage 22% more waste per person than the Scottish average. So tests the problems have continued. One issue seems to be inadequate there is clearly considerable scope to reduce the amount of waste we cover over the waste, particularly after operations at the end of the produce. day and over the weekends. In the short term there is an urgent need for effective measures to address the current problems at Duisky. In While we have to rely on SEPA and the operators of Duisky to sort out the longer term, it has been recognised for some time that current the smells, and Highland Council for an effective practices of disposing of our waste are not sustainable. This has overall waste management strategy, there is also a resulted in the decision to prohibit dumping of biodegradable lot that we can all do to help. 5 caring, engaging, listening, representing, making a difference locally It is also great news for all Lochaber residents, as it means Breedon will be less constrained to operate at night, no longer needing Banavie Quarry Banavie residents’ consent for night working. This will make it After a long delay, Breedon have been granted planning consent to easier for them to complete road works overnight with less relocate their asphalt plant to Carr’s Corner. This is great news for disruption to traffic. Banavie residents as it means that once the new facility is up and running, there will be no more night working needed at Banavie to We are grateful to the quarry and to the neighbouring residents for their co-operative working over the years in finding ways to supply tarmac to road repair works. Less nuisance from tarry meet the road repair needs with the least possible disruption all smells, less nuisance from noisy works and noisy lorries at night. round. tragic road slower safer smilier accident on the Blar It was with great shock, sadness and concern that we learnt of the recent tragic death of Eoin Fahey following collision with a lorry as he was cycling on the A830 across the Blar. We are as yet unaware of the detailed circumstances of the accident, but we do know that lorries and bikes do not make for confidently safe sharing of road space The terrible personal tragedy and loss is of course uppermost in our minds, but we also acknowledge the regrettable underlying outcome - that this latest tragic accident will put more people off the idea of cycling just at a time when we need to reduce the number of cars on the roads. KCC hopes that Highland Council and Transport Scotland can give the very highest priority to the provision Katie MacSween and Bear opening Corpach’s new pedestrian crossing back in May of comprehensive cycle lanes and routes, given the climate crisis that is upon us. Members of KCC: Countries like the Netherlands lead the way • continue to press for ‘Twenty’s Plenty’ restrictions on all by many miles when it comes to cycling residential side roads provision. Other countries like Spain, India, • hugely welcome an exciting new project (in early stages) from and Colombia all do much better than we Lochaber Environmental Group for an electric bike share do. It’s time to take note and act, before scheme for the Fort William area, modelled on the successful another tragic accident. scheme already launched in the Forth Valley.

I have also continued to receive complaints I hope everyone has an enjoyable end of community of vehicles parking on pavements/bends in summer and as always if anyone has any the road and causing unnecessary concerns please do not hesitate to contact policing (written July 2019) obstructions and concerns regarding the me via my police email address below. I hope everyone is well and making the most speed in which vehicles continue to pass As always if you wish to speak to police of the spells of sunshine in between rain. through our ward area. I would like to urgently or there is an ongoing issue then reassure you all that community Policing It’s been that time of year once again in the use 999, or 101 for a non-emergency. officers, Road Traffic officers and Safety peak tourist season which in previous years camera partnership units continue to patrol Thank you, has seen in excess of 200,000 visitors to the in the area and should any of the incidents Ross McCartney, Police Sergeant area. This in turn sees a large increase in the above be identified they will be dealt with Liaison Officer for Kilmallie Community number of vehicles on our roads, whether appropriately. Council that be just passing through or visiting many [email protected]. of our spectacular attractions. With that said Please continue to give care and I would like to take this opportunity to consideration to other road users and Twitter – Lochaber&SkyePolice reiterate the message of members of the community when driving or Fort William Police Station, BLAR MOR, road safety and remind parking a vehicle. Fort William PH33 7GA everyone to remain vigilant Tel. 101 for non-emergency 6 when crossing busy roads. caring, engaging, listening, representing, making a difference locally local wildflower verges As I write (July) the purple heads of less, cut later" approach by councils and approach has been taken as opposed to knapweed are coming into flower along the highways authorities could significantly selective strimming around the edges. Take a verges on either side of Corpach, improve the health of the UK's verges. It look at the area surrounding the Chia-Aig car complementing the creamy-white said: "We want flowers to be allowed to park. Where slow -worms basked , garden meadowsweet and yellow bird’s-foot trefoil, flower so pollinators can work their magic chafers swarmed in their hundreds and bees whilst replacing the now faded northern and seeds can ripen and fall to the ground. In flitted from flower to flower, there is now marsh orchids. The latter flowered late this this way, the floral display will become better short mown turf. year but struggled through some late cutting. and better every year." Together with ox-eye daisies, thistles, vetch and a host of other plants they make a The charity has also a growing on-line Why does this matter? stunning display. Sit and admire them while petition, with around 73000 signatures Well, apart from the visual delight of wild- snarled up in the holiday traffic! It hardly already collected calling on local authorities flowers, and the stress relieving properties seems a year since I wrote about the to stop unnecessary cutting of verges. Details they have for impatient motorists, importance of local wildflower meadows, of the petition and practical measures to wildflower verges represent a last bastion of and National Meadow Day (just past on 6th manage verges may be found on the Plantlife British biodiversity. Many insect pollinators July) was a timely reminder of the website www.plantlife.org.uk . such as bees and beetles are supported, importance of these rare gems. Corpach and the surrounding roads suffer to along with a network of creatures that in The national wild flower charity, Plantlife, a degree from the same desire for tidiness. turn depend on these. These include has been drawing our attention to the plight We have lost the wildflower verges from the declining reptiles and amphibians, birds and of wildflower verges, discussion of which you Blar roundabout to the High School now, the small mammals that eat insect larvae, and may have heard in the media recently. To roundabout itself being strimmed to within others that feed on seeds. They also quote the BBC: an inch of its life. At the west end of the represent a reservoir of rare plants, such as village a cut in late May prevented any butterfly orchids, that have been lost from “Plantlife has been banging the drum for orchids from flowering. The verges along the agricultural land that has been ‘improved’. In wilder roadside verges since 2013.The group Banavie to Gairlochy road have been recently practical terms, if you have not tasted the said the UK had lost 97% of its wildflower cut, destroying the floral display right along honey produced by local beekeepers, then meadows in less than a century - with its length. The important wildflower meadow you have missed a treat. This can only be as roadside verges particularly hard hit. It said in Banavie, highlighted a year ago, has good as it undoubtedly is, if wildflower safety and access considerations along with a already been partly lost to a building plot. verges and meadows are allowed to flourish. desire for "neatness" and the logistics of litter-picking had resulted in authorities The same picture emerges throughout The sad thing is that the cutting of verges adopting an overzealous approach to Lochaber. Picnic sites and paths are need not happen, at least before the keeping verges short. Plantlife said a "cut particularly at risk, where a levelling autumn. Indeed, most of our verges on minor roads are grazed by sheep, and would be naturally trimmed in the winter, anyway. Revisiting cutting schedules to avoid destruction of wildflower verges before the plants have been allowed to set seed, would not only support biodiversity, but allow the local council to spread the workload – or even save money by not cutting at all in places. Take a leaf out of the management of the – the banks are allowed to produce a dazzling display of flowers (and fruit such as raspberries and brambles!) in the summer and are tidied in winter. There is obviously a need to trim around road junctions and where sightlines are compromised, but this can be done without needlessly destroying acres of verge- side flowers that would otherwise provide a home to many and joy to us humans. What would you like to see?

Jon Mercer

Glenloy Wildlife 7 caring, engaging, listening, representing, making a difference locally troughs needed to continue Corpach in Colour so a big thank you to them including Lochaber Housing Association who have given us money on several Corpach in Colour occasions. A big thank you also to the people who have put money into the The colour in the tubs and other sites across different places in Corpach is collection bucket at the Co-op where staff kindly organised the local developing well. Hopefully we will have a good summer for everyone to fundraising. None of this would be possible without the volunteers who enjoy the outdoors including the pops of colour from the flowers and plant and look after different areas and their help is much appreciated. shrubs. We are still experimenting with centres in the tubs to see how well they grow and survive especially beside the busy road. The box especially Please carry on enjoying the flowers and plants as you pass them and put has proved to be popular and the pieris gave a touch of brightness before your change into CinC collection tins so that we can continue. If you would the flowers. like to help or would like more information please contact us.

Once again local firms have provided sponsorship which means we can Sue Chadney Moira Shearer continue to buy the plants, bulbs, fertiliser, soil and replacement tubs and [email protected] [email protected]

We all hugely appreciate the volunteers of both Corpach in Colour and Banavie Floral Improvements who brighten up the public spaces in our villages.

We have three or four containers for leaf mould and, after leaving it, and forgetting about it, have been green delighted to have so much good stuff to spread fingers about. We have left a couple of areas to 'go wild': apparently Well, the so-called summer has been a bit variable, it’s the trendy thing to do. To help this enterprise I maybe we will get an Indian Summer to compensate. ordered some wildflower seeds. They took so long to come I had forgotten all about them. Then, lo and Everything came on really well in April but then there behold, a package arrives from Singapore: 'Made in was so much cold and wet. The veg have done well, China'! There are some bright blue seeds in the mix apart from the ones that have gone to seed, been so no idea what they might be. I won't plant them eaten by beasties or failed to germinate out but will sow them in a seed tray and see what altogether. We have had broad beans with great happens. I am quite intrigued. growth but not many beans: I think we were trying to be too economical and use last year’s seeds. As it is It is a good time to gather seeds from annuals etc, the fourth year of using our own it’s a step too pop them in paper bags and keep them for next far. New seeds next year! season. I invariably lose them or forget to mark them so we have quite a lot of surprises in this garden. Not sure if it is the change in weather but a lot of the red onions went to seed. Still waiting to see what It’s a good time of year as most of the hard work is happens to the leeks: we got none last year. Such are done so it’s nice to potter about, pick some nice fruit the vagaries of gardening. Potatoes are good but will and veg and enjoy the results of some hard work have to be lifted and stored before the slugs get earlier on. Light a fire on a chilly evening and have a them We will also have to watch that mice don’t eat wee dram. Happy gardening. them. We usually leave carrots in the ground and use them as we need, Beetroot will be Morag and Neil Mackell lifted by now and either bottled or stored in dry peat. July 2019 8

caring, engaging, listening, representing, making a difference locally Now here's some IMPORTANT stuff. It's just pure tabletop board games. Not electronic or battery powered board games. Not video Games Club games. You may bring your own games but not battery powered games. Now I don't want this putting you off coming. It is £2 to bring To THE NEWSLETTER from the Secretary a.k.a Connal (aged 9) and in a child (£1 each additional child - mum) and adults go free, but the Banker a.k.a Ciaran (aged 7). Not as in the MONOPOLY banker. you must stay and play. If there's enough space in the place we picked out to have our club we might be able to get all the games Anyway we are here to talk about the games club. Me, Ciaran and out. Yay! And if not we will just take portions of what we have. our parents helped set up the club. It's fun to play the board games Imagine we have 100 games, one day we would have 50 games and because there are so many games to play. We have loads of games the next day we would have the OTHER to play. 50 games, then we would switch through those 50 games everyday. Not The club is called Fort William Board Mania. FWBM. that we HAVE 100 games (we might have! – mum) . I think that's all I've got There are puzzle games, strategy games, guessing games, memory games, There are probably even more types than THAT. to say apart from “Have fun!”

Our last location was the LAD Cafe. It's been some time but we www.facebook.com/groups/ found another location for the summer, at the Fort William Football fwboardmania team’s clubhouse. Connal Morrison

through to the semi-final of the Strathdearn Campbell, Aidan Love and Ben MacKinnon – Cup which is being held on Saturday 10th I’m sure they will have had a great time. Kilmallie August at An Aird against Fort William. We had a very successful race night In April Kilmallie is delighted to have been asked to and thank all those who bought a horse, Shinty host the Sutherland Cup final on Saturday sponsored a race and came along to support 20th July. Our thanks to all the field the fundraiser. maintenance boys for looking after the park and making a great job. We have had a delivery of new club ties and Club they are on sale for Kilmallie Shinty Club has had a busy time The Under 14’s and Under 17’s are having a £12. since the season started in March. The first wee break at the moment due to the School team had a good start to the season but then holidays. Linda Campbell couldn’t score goals! There are still 6 games July 2019 to play and most of them are at home. The We are delighted that 3 of our young players Second Team has had a good season and is have been away at Shinty Camp, Jordan

New fence for of volunteers who successfully cleared the old the nominee, confirmation that he or she is fencing wire and posts. prepared to stand and the name of a Proposer Tom Guisach and Seconder. Directors will serve for three years. The new stile provides access to the open hill 6. AOB. Notice of any other business must be which is common grazing. given to the secretary at least one week before Notice of AGM & Agenda the meeting. Tom Guisach Pinewood After the AGM there will be a general discussion & Cnoc nam Faobh Oakwood mainly on the programme of work that might be carried out in the woods. Friday 25th October 2019 at 7.30 pm in the The woods continue much as always. It is now 12 Kilmallie Community Centre Back Hall. years since we took ownership and the

community company has continued successfully In early July a new boundary fence was completed Members and non-members are welcome. throughout. Not much work is required other than around the pine wood. The old fence has stood Membership application forms will be available on the occasional work party to litter pick and do for well over 50 years. Though it has been the night for those wishing to join and offer their other odd jobs. The main task completed during repaired and patched over the years judging from support. the year has been the construction of a new fence some of the rusty wire and rotten wood it is or Agenda around the pie wood. Many thanks are due to was a vintage fence and probably much older. 1. Apologies. those who continue to offer their support. At the 2. Minutes of the last AGM. Many thanks must go to contributors to the cost meeting we will set a date for the next work party 3. Progress Report. Great Glen Shipping Co., Campbell Plant Hire, which will be some time in November. If anyone 4. Treasurers Report. Liberty British Aluminium, Achnacarry Estate, and has any suggestions for jobs they think need doing 5. Election of directors –We have one vacancy for wood from BSW. Also thanks are due to Calum then we can discuss how a new director. Nominations for directors can be Dennison who organised the job and distributed they might be tackled. materials, and to the contractor who built the taken at the meeting or made known before the new fence. Thanks are also due to the work party meeting. Nominations should include the name of Paul Biggin 9 caring, engaging, listening, representing, making a difference locally canal news (July 2019) As the height of the summer approaches, I am pleased to say that despite a late opening and slow start to the season, boat traffic through the canal at the end of June is now compatible with last year and the way July has started despite the poor weather it is looking good for the rest of the season.

Included in boat movements was a luxury superyacht Lady Rose - the longest vessel to ever pass through the canal, approx 30cm longer than Lord of the Glens (photo shows her entering the sea-lock at Corpach).

From June to September the local team are usually kept busy with boat traffic but during any down-time they are constantly trying to keep the locks as neat and tidy as they can. These jobs include, as you can imagine, grass cutting, fence repairs, ditch clearing, facility repairs, litter & waste management, to name the regular jobs, along with the regular maintenance job of greasing the lock gates and bridges.

The canal maintenance team have also been involved with a number of heavy repairs: • welding work at Gairlochy (reach between Banavie and Gairlochy had to be dropped by just over a metre to carry out this work); • diving work on cross lock pipe work at Corpach; • repair to collar strap at the sea-lock (holds lock-gate in place); • replacement of beam on gate at Banavie • and they are due to replace the railings on Moy Bridge after a large vessel collided with it.

A misfortune recently was that we had a failure at Banavie Road Bridge on the 24th June (it was closed to road traffic for 49 minutes). This occurred when the wire running to the drives on the bridge was found to be broken. Like most vehicles nowadays, the bridge is computerised and we have very limited control to effect any repairs, in fact during the latest failure it was bypassed remotely by someone in Glasgow at their computer screen. He then drove up first thing next morning to replace the wiring.

As a lot of locals know our long serving lock-keeper Tom Corbett retired after 44 years service (25 years of them at Banavie). Tommy will be sorely missed by all including myself : he was popular with all and testimony of that was about one hundred relations, friends, neighbours and work colleagues past and present came along to the Rugby Club for his retirement do. They came from as far afield as Darlington, Thurso, Orkney and and, as one wag shouted during my speech, Lochyside!!!

John Stafford Tommy with former work colleague Toni cutting Tommy’s retirement cake which 10 Area Superintendent was the locks at Neptune’s Staircase. caring, engaging, listening, representing, making a difference locally With this in mind, many communities are now calling for a ban on its use by local councils - a motion was brought to Highland Council last month, glyphosate culminating in an immediate ban being agreed for all sports/recreation facilities and schools. Now a business case is being planned to look at a full ban on the use of such products, except on invasive species and busy road what it is, and why it's bad news junctions. Personally I think a proper full ban is required, and alternatives to Glyphosate is a weed killer and crop desiccant, which is used to kill weeds, its use, even in tricky areas, needs to be sought - I mean, what harm is it especially broad leafed annuals and grasses. Monsanto brought it to market doing to our water courses and insect population even in small quantities? for agricultural use in 1974 under the trade name Roundup. It has been Earlier this year, on July 12th, Austria completely banned its use: this is the used widely by farmers to kill weeds as it does not kill their crops, and is route we need to take. Even invasive species can have their uses: for marketed to the public as a weedkiller in gardens - but most noticeably in example in studies researching Lyme disease, Japanese knotweed has been our area it is used by the council to kill weeds and grasses on pavements, found to be excellent at killing the tick-bound virus Borrelia, and alleviating verges, roadsides and children’s playparks. the crippling joint pain that goes with it. So perhaps instead of trying to Concerns about its effect on humans and the environment have continued eradicate it, we should be studying and conserving it. With what we know to grow, and the risk of various cancers including non Hodgkin’s lymphoma. about glyphosate now, a full ban is the only way to go, not just in Highland Council, but right across the country. In 2015 the World Health Organisation’s International Agency categorised glyphosate as ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’. In 2018, a man was set to claim $228 million in damages when a jury found in favour of his claim that Carol Anne Campbell Roundup caused his cancer, and in May this year, Bayer, who purchased Look out for the telltale scorched verges Monsanto last year, lost two US cases, where courts found it to be a substantial factor in causing the complainants’ cancer. along roads and pavements

Caol Community Centre LAD can provide transport to the Lunch served at 12:30pm Monday, Community Centre. Lochaber The lunch cost is £5.00 For more details and to book Everyone welcome Wednesday transport please phone 01397 701171 & District & Friday For more details on the Lunch Club, Soup & Main Course please contact the BOSS office 01397 700800 or the Community Centre Kitchen Lunch Tuesday 07721 390285

& Thursday Caol Regeneration Company Ltd Club Main Course & Sweet SCO36941

Old Kilmallie

Cemetery Arguably the most interesting of local cemeteries. Headstones and monuments dating back to mid 18th century, resting place of clan chiefs, canal builders, Fort William merchants and war heroes. A fascinating collection of the stonemason’s skills over many decades , and in many cases the resilience of slate to the elements!

In 1980 the Tatler family from Spean did a wonderful service in cataloguing the gravestone inscriptions from thirteen local cemeteries, up to the year 1855. This included all the information that could be deciphered from the stones and maps for each stone location by number to an index of family names. This was ‘monumental work’ of the highest order, and valuable today to genealogists, and to anyone with curiosity and an interest in local history. This allows research and appreciation of our citizens of years gone by . This is of course a very long term challenge. Nature will fight back, brambles are shooting out already. In a time of tight budgets and constraints on priorities of what can be achieved, Old Kilmallie had slipped down the list as far as care was This article is to recognise the huge work that has been achieved on this concerned. Seriously invaded by undergrowth, flourishing tree growth and site, and the effort that has been channelled into a service for the brambles, memorials were being buried themselves by powerful vegetation community! including masses of ivy . Until this year... If you want to challenge your imagination and browse this historic site, do it Court orders for ‘community service’ have to be followed by constructive now! projects and useful work that will be of benefit to our environment. Last year some work was undertaken to start clearing the years of neglect in PS Care has to be taken over very rough ground and please respect all Kilmallie Old Cemetery. Over this year this became a ‘fall back’ option and monuments including war memorials. Common sense required. the undergrowth/overgrowth was attacked with serious intent . Lorryloads Roddy Mainland of this were taken away for recycling. This team have cleared away and allowed access to stones that have been impossible to approach for years. 11 caring, engaging, listening, representing, making a difference locally a huge thank you to lots of generous individuals & all these businesses for sponsoring the newsletter

FORT WILLIAM TYRE SERVICES

BOYD BROTHERS CLYDEBoyd (HAULAGE) LTD Fort William Ltd