Issue 189 - June 2008 - e-mail edition
CONTENTS - USE EDIT / FIND ON YOUR TOOLBAR TO READ ARTICLES LISTED BELOW
- CARRADALE HARBOUR - THE CINEMA - CARRADALE CRICKET CLUB - TARTAN DAWN WALK - SOUTH KINTYRE SENIORS FORUM - WAR MEMORIALS TRUST - WITHDRAWAL OF LIBRARY INTERNET SERVICE - APRIL RAINFALL IN GROGPORT - BOTTLE THE THOUGHT - LITTERALLY SPEAKING - IBBIE CAMPBELL - CARRADALE DRAMA CLUB - CARRADALE DRAMA CLUB - SADDELL WATER - RING OF TELECOM ROSES - POSSIBLE PHONE BOX WITHDRAWALS - HOUSEY-HOUSEY - HOTEL AND RESTAURANT SALES - NOT THE EAST KINTYRE COMMUNITY COUNCIL MINUTES - THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY - DENTISTRY DESIGNS - BRING BACK THE SHEEP - A MAINTENANCE PROBLEM SOLVED ? - LETTER TO THE EDITOR - CAMPBELTOWN - A FURTHER CHAPTER FROM ADAM BEDE’S ‘GLENCREGGAN’ - CUTTERS & SMUGGLERS - E-MAIL ANTLER ON LINE - CARRADALE RENTALS IN 1724 - KINTYRE INITIATIVE MEETING - JOHN MCCAUGHAN 1929 - 2008 - ACHA New hope for ACHA wardens - A HISTORIC BIOPTIC VIEW - BARR & STROUD 7x BINOCULARS - ONE YEAR ON – A NEWS LETTER FROM COUNCILLOR JOHN SEMPLE - TRIBUTE TO JEANETTE MACDOUGALL - ROCKET TO ME - POSTAL CHANGES – A SIGN OF THE TIMES - ABC ATTENDANCE - THE TELECARE SERVICE - CARRADALE SURGERY NEWS - HOMECOMING SCOTLAND - LETTER TO THE EDITOR - FALLS PREVENTION - INTEGRATED CARE TEAM SERVICES - KINTYRE STROKE CLUB - COMMUTER BUS SUCCESS - ‘ARK TO THE PLANNERS - EVA AT ABBEYFIELD - IRRESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERS FINED - THE TIMES, THEY ARE A’CHANGING - BEVAN BOYS MEDAL - RNLI BONUS BALL
1 CARRADALE HARBOUR
Following the repairs to the harbour, Argyll and Bute Council have called a meeting with those who were on the Carradale Harbour Users Group for Monday, 9 June at 7.00pm. The matters to be discussed are tidiness of the pier, future management arrangements, charging arrangements and what future, if any, CHUG will have. A full report will be put in the Antler next month.
THE CINEMA
Sat 24 May 2008 for 6 days at 8.00pm Forgetting Sarah Marshall cert 15 Sat 31 May 2008 for 5 days at 8.00pm (Not Monday) Nim's Island cert U Mon 2 Jun 2008 for 1 day at 8.00pm The Other Boleyn Girl cert 12A Sat 7 June 2008 for 6 days at 8.00pm Iron Man cert 12A
CARRADALE CRICKET CLUB
The new season started on Sun 27th April in beautiful weather, with a match against Cairndow at Carradale. The home side batted first and made 82 with S. Walker(33) and A. Keogh(25) the main run getters.
Carradale looked to have the game under control, when the opposition was reduced to 11-5, but subsequent wild bowling resulted in a defeat by 4 wickets. S. Downie, A. Keogh, R. Rixson and S. Walker all bowled well however.
The first league match was played on Sun 11th May, again in wonderful conditions, on the beautiful little ground at Sannox on the Island of Arran. The home side batted first and scored 188 with S. Beasley(35), C. Marriott(47) and T. Brooks(39) the main contributors. This score was much inflated by poor fielding and catching by the visitors and too many extras given away.
The bowling of the McMillan brothers was excellent, with Charles bowling 8 overs for 5 runs and 1 wicket, with 6 consecutive maidens. Alistair took 3-25 in his 8 overs, with Aidan Keogh (the captain) taking 3-39 and S. walker 2-39.
Unfortunately, there was a total batting collapse with Carradale being bowled out for 26 runs, only Keogh(12) getting into double figures. The inexperienced team took their defeat on the chin and learned a lot from the way Sannox went about their play in the field and also their quick running between the wickets. The next match is at Carradale on the 25th May against Mid-Argyll.
The club wishes to thank Wum Semple and Donald Macalister Hall for their rollers, Bobby Willan for his mower and to Lachie Macalister for getting the heavy roller up and running again after it had lain dormant at Torrisdale for nearly 70 years !
Also, thanks to Nonnie Macalister and Robert Strang for helping with the grass cutting and the ladies for the tea between the innings (one of the delights of a cricket match) !
THE TARTAN DAWN WALK
Jose, Joanna and Irene are organising the Tartan Dawn Walk on the 22nd June 2008. Leaving from the Network Centre at 5.00am and walking to Grianan and returning to the Network Centre via Deer Hill. All money raised will be going to local Cancer Charities. Please support us. Registration Fee £5. Anyone interested please contact Irene on Tel No. 0779-970-5996 or see Jose at the Network Centre.
SOUTH KINTYRE SENIORS FORUM EXTRACTS FROM CATHERINE McINTYRE’S DRAFT MINUTES
The main presentation at the April meeting was given by Louise Burke - Integrated Care Team, Anne Nightingale -Assistant ICT and Aileen McLean – Telecare, George McMillan (Chair) welcomed the three ladies and invited Louise Burke to give a talk on the work of the Integrated Care Team. Louise spoke of the composition of the team and the area covered which includes Skipness. Referrals come from Hospital, Physiotherapy, Social work and individuals. The Team has 14 members who carry out assessments for care at home.
The team is made up of a number of professionals with Louise Burke (Team Leader) and Mairi Brown being the nursing staff, 2 Health Care Assistants, 4 Social Work Care Assistants, Occupational Therapist, Delayed Discharge Co-Coordinator, Rehab Assistant and Physiotherapist. The Rapid Response Team is heavily involved with patient care. Louise gave examples of patients 2 needs such as hip operations and urine infections which can leave patients feeling low. Telecare is used by the Integrated Care Team.
George thanked Louise and Anne who left the meeting at this point. Aileen gave an overview of her job on the periphery pf the Integrated Care Team. She explained the benefits of having an alarm installed in the home with the Response Centre being in Edinburgh which is manned 24 hours a day. A charge for the alarms is made by Argyll & Bute Council. Aileen carries out assessments in the person's own home and referrals are welcome from anyone. She also spoke of the Personal Trigger, Bogus Call Button, Smoke Detector, Fall Detector, Flood Detector PIR (Movement Detector) all of which are particularly beneficial to carers of dementia patients. George thanked Aileen for her talk.
AOB : George read a letter to those present that Ian Teesdale had written to Sandra Greer (Officer for the Review for Older People).
A letter to Nicola Sturgeon regarding the size of the ward at Mid Argyll Hospital to be written and sent before 21st April 2008.
Val Cannell to be reminded of the importance of the Forum's Bank Statement being independently examined.
Isobel Johnstone advised those present that the Crochet Class will no longer be able to be held in the Network Centre. Mrs Turner suggested contacting Lindsay McPhail for a room at Kinloch Hall.
An outing to Argyll Arms Hotel, Southend is to be arranged for Thursday 5th June 2008.
It was noted that this meeting took place in The Burnett Building as the Forum was unable to gain access to Kinloch Hall.
WAR MEMORIALS TRUST
Grants are available for both Free Standing and Non Free Standing War Memorials. Free-standing memorials are those that stand without any support. For example a war memorial cross standing in a churchyard or a statue such as the famous Black Watch memorial on The Mound or the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge. Applicants seeking support for conservation projects on such memorials are eligible for up to £7,500 at 75% eligible costs. A maximum of £5,000 is available from the Historic Scotland funding while the rest will be funded by WMT through its fundraising. Non free-standing war memorials, such as plaques, stained glass windows and clocks, remain eligible for War Memorials Trust Small Grants Scheme which assists conservation work on all types of war memorials. Grants of up to £2,500 at 50% eligible costs are available. http://www.warmemorials.org/index.htm Telephone : Charity : 020 7259 0403 Conservation : 020 7881 0862
LIBRARY INTERNET
Withdrawal of Public Internet Access in Public Libraries Due to the level of technical difficulties with the current Internet connection, Argyll and Bute Council has been forced to temporarily withdraw public internet access from its libraries.
We wish to sincerely apologise to all customers for this disruption to service. Work is ongoing to resolve these difficulties and we hope to resume normal service shortly. Issued by Lynda Syed on 07/05/2008 12:24:12
APRIL RAINFALL IN GROGPORT
The rainfall recorded in April was 83mm (a little over 3 inches). This is below average for the month. The monthly range over the last few years has been between 66 and 188 mm (2½ and 7½ inches). The April rainfall pattern too, was atypical, instead of the frequent short showers that we might expect …. April 1st certainly had us fooled as it brought 23mm (nearly an inch), a further 13mm (½ inch) fell on the 23rd and, whilst we did get showers on other days, there were three unusually dry spells notably between the dates 6th-9th, 12th-14th & 17th-21st. It hasn’t seemed very ‘Spring- like’ and the heat from indoors or behind glass has been deceptive. Temperatures struggled with strong winds from northerly and easterly directions so the glorious April temperatures of last year were indeed a very hazy memory. What a difference a year makes. The weather certainly gives us lots of ammunition as we, in true British fashion, talk about it and contemplate what the ‘Summer’ has in store. Margaret Leighton
Editor’s note: Margaret, correctly, keeps strictly to her monthly brief; the temperatures in the first week of May could be the subject of comment in the July Antler, out, confusingly, at the end of June.
3 BOTTLE THE THOUGHT GLASGOW HERALD, THURSDAY JUNE 23 1870
The Steamer 'CITY OF BOSTON ' :- Our Campbeltown correspondent writes :- On Tuesday last, a champagne bottle was found drifting towards the shore at Portrigh, Carradale, by a fisherman named Dugald McBride. It contained a piece of paper bearing the following inscription, written with pencil -- “ SHIP CITY OF BOSTON. Lost by ice, 29th. J. A. H.”
The paper was very crumpled and very much soiled, and the bottle corked very tightly. The paper and bottle are now in possession of Police-constable Macdonald, Carradale. The writing is evidently the work of a very shaky hand
On checking today 7th May 2008 for Shipwrecks on the Internet I have discovered that ' THE CITY OF BOSTON ' British (Inman Line) Steamer vanished between New York and Liverpool January 25th 1870 with 177 deaths.
LITTERALLY SPEAKING A LETTER FROM DONNIE MCLEOD TO COUNCILLOR CURRIE
Robin,
We are still having problems sourcing a mechanical sweeper for MAKI so our regular once a fortnight sweep of East Kintyre has not happened for about 6 weeks. As an interim we shall carry out a litter pick in Carradale as soon as possible.
The only grass that we now cut in Carradale is the school, cemetery, Shore Road, entrance to Tosh’s park and an area of rough ground to the rear of Broomfield. All other areas are cut by ACHA.
Grave levelling is generally carried out over the winter and our priority last year was erection of headstones so we have fallen slightly behind although we will catch up this autumn/ winter.
Regards Donnie McLeod
IBBIE CAMPBELL
Isobel “Ibbie” Green, nee Campbell, died aged 76 with her husband Alex and daughters Audrey and Sharon beside her on March 19th in Inverness, after a sudden illness. Ibbie had been healthy and enjoying life with her usual enthusiasm going to a yoga class, studying Scottish politics and being part of a book group. She had an open and enquiring mind and a gift for making friends of all ages; she was also great fun. Her funeral in Inverness was attended by more than 220 people.
Ibbie was born in Glasgow in 1931 and spent all of her childhood and teens in Carradale. Her love of Carradale was just as strong at 76 as it had ever been. She came back to visit friends and relations throughout her life and the visits brought back magical memories of her childhood. It was a joy to see the girlish delight a visit to Carradale gave her. Ibbie lived at Moineruadh with her parents and two younger brothers Sandy and Archie. Her father Duncan Alex Campbell was from a Carradale family and worked at that time at the forestry, her mother Mary MacNeill was from an Argyll family and came to teach at the village school.
Ibbie told wonderful, vivid stories about growing up in Carradale. Tales of the big house and the nicknames of all the Carradale characters, of fishermen catching a shark off the pier, of the animals she grew up around at Moineruadh - saying goodnight to the geese by burying her face in their soft feathers. Her stories of singing in the choir and at the Mod, of having to empty “the bog bucket” and of dances at the village hall brought Carradale to life for her daughters. After leaving school she worked at Davie Oman's office on the pier with her friend Irene. Ibbie had a close group of 5 girlfriends all from Carradale – Cathie MacGregor, Irene Oman, Marjory MacDonald, Cathy Vetters and Helen Mackintosh. They all kept up their friendship despite being scattered throughout the UK and Canada. Sadly Ibbie and Marjory died 3 days apart.
Ibbie left Carradale to become first a nanny in Glasgow and then a medical secretary at the Western Infirmary. But she kept coming back throughout her life visiting her cousin Marie Kennedy in Campbeltown, and her cousin Billy Martindale and friends, including Cathie and husband Matt McDougall, in Carradale. She introduced many people to the village and they, too, came under its spell and kept returning.
Ibbie had lived in Inverness for the past 38 years and when her daughters left home in the 1980s she took the opportunity to go back to school and sit her Highers. She studied History, French and Modern Studies but was particularly proud of her Higher English. In 1988 Ibbie returned to work as a medical secretary, this time at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, 27 years after she had 4 left the Western to get married. She loved the work and made new and valued friends. She was lucky too that in Inverness she had the friendship of another Carradale devotee, Alison Wolstencroft, to compare recent visits to the place they both loved.
After she retired in 1997, Ibbie approached the next stage in her life with her usual vigour. She got her ears pierced, went paragliding and passed her Advanced Motorist qualification. Ibbie and Alex had always enjoyed travelling and their trips took them to South Africa, the Soviet Union, China, America, Thailand and the Middle East as well as Europe. Ibbie loved new situations and meeting new people. She and Alex had recently returned to Venice and Yugoslavia - some 45 years after their first visit.
Ibbie's last visit to Carradale was in August 2006 when she walked the bay, visited Waterfoot, explored the shore at Portasgadain and shared many laughs with friends and family. She had been planning to return early this year. Her father and mother are buried at Brackley cemetery and Ibbie’s ashes are returning to Carradale to the Campbell grave.
CARRADALE DRAMA CLUB
The Drama Club had a successful evening at the 60th Mid Argyll Drama Festival in April, winning their night and the cup for “Best Dramatic Production” with a very tense and quite violent play “The Trial” by Anthony Booth. The play is very different from the light comedies and dramas usually attempted by Carradale and the Adjudicator, Sylvie Taylor, said it was a very courageous choice of play.
Would you like to take part in a Pantomime or play or help back stage this winter? If so, Carradale Drama Club is looking for new members. We meet on Wednesday evenings (and some Sunday afternoons when a panto is on the go) in Carradale Village Hall. No previous experience required ! !
Phone Mary on 01583-431-233.
CARRADALE DRAMA CLUB
Second year running, Campbeltown makes off with the Print of the Year Award ! Carradale – get clicking ! However , it was little disgrace, for the standard was extremely high – best ever I would think, and certainly an excellent pointer towards our August Annual Exhibition.
The selection from a high number of extremely good prints was made by Lily Cregeen who kindly agreed to perform the far from simple task of choosing best. Her final preference was for a very attractive child portrait by Sheena Robertson (Carradale connection- just), but mention was made of the work of several other members, including Rachel Grant and Johnny Durnan. We hope some of these prints will appear in August, but the winning one certainly will. And thanks again to Lily !
As a result of the AGM Dave Mercer replaced Allan McLay as secretary, other changes being minimal. With the club really thriving, both in membership, activities and work produced, there is little need for change. A new scanner is being sought, a club outing considered, and going ahead is a novelty competition among members, each of whom is to be furnished with a disposable camera with which he or she must produce two prints to compete for best at our opening meeting next season. Additionally the new digital projector is already proving its worth.
Information concerning next session’s programme will follow, courtesy the Antler, but it will also be given at the all important August exhibition. It should be a cracker ! Don’t miss – 8th, 9th. & 10th. August, Friday to Sunday.
SADDELL WATER
At long last sense has prevailed. With a history going back almost as far as Somerled, Saddell has suffered from a deluge of water out of keeping with its perceived rainfall figure. It has taken the combined efforts of at least four community council chair- persons, five ABC Councillors, two farmers a host of Council Departments and Scottish Water officers to come up with a solution to mud on Millars Park road and rivulets through almost every garden. Now, with the river gods appeased Saddell residents may sleep soundly in their their beds and offer a prayer of thanks to Councillor Rory Colville, who like Abou Ben Adhem, should have his tribe increased. Either that or he should be up for a Papal bull at least, supplied at cost by a friendly farmer.
5 RING OF TELECOM ROSES POSSIBLE PHONE BOX WITHDRAWALS
News that there were plans to consider reducing the number of cash and card-operated phone boxes in areas where use is minimal have been confirmed both on the ABC and Telecom web-sites. Donald Kelly spent hours trying to establish the veracity of the ‘Courier’ statement on Friday 25th of April, however the agenda of the Argyll & Bute Council’s Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay Area Committee meeting in Colonsay contained the heading but little information was available until Donald found details on the Council web-site.
The boxes which could be affected are, Glenbarr, Muasdale, Torrisdale, Tangy, Saddell, Tayinloan village and ferry, Southend village & Kilwhipnach, Lossit, Stewarton, NATO Depot, Sunadale, Drumlemble, Kilchenzie, Clachan, Skipness, Claonaig, and Torinturk (West Loch) - Note from Donald Kelly : For some strange reason, neither the Whitehouse or Bellochantuy boxes were in the BT list.
While no one can deny the economics of the Telecom proposals, the social and emergency situation in remote areas without adequate mobile reception is paramount and objections should be directed to BT Payphones, PP 05A23, Delta Point, Wellesley Road, Croydon, CR9 2YZ or via e-mail to [email protected]
The consultation period will close on July 2nd, 2008
HOUSEY-HOUSEY HOTEL AND RESTAURANT SALES
‘Homecoming Scots’ may have some difficulty in finding accommodation if they do return, unless, of course they are looking for a business opportunity, as Donald Kelly reports that Bruce and Co are offering Lochgilphead's Stag Hotel for £540,000, Ardrishaig's Argyll Hotel for £290,000, and Tarbert's West Loch Hotel for £450,000. Additionally Stewart Balfour are said to be selling Tayinloan's MacDonald Arms Hotel for £110,000. Collier’s Robert Barry is also selling The Glen at Carradale for £345,000 and have Campbeltown's White Hart at £600,000. Lochgair Hotel is at a reduced price of £450,000 and Kilmelford's Cuilfail Hotel is on the market for £450,000.
Is this a simple case of of hoteliers tiring under the strain of meeting customer demands or of not attracting enough tourists. Whatever the case, last one out please switch off the lights and erect a new ‘Kintyre Way’ sign to the nearest open hotel.
NOT THE EAST KINTYRE COMMUNITY COUNCIL MINUTES
The meeting on Thursday 1 May was attended by three Unitary Authority Councillors, Robin Currie - much recovered from a series of operations, John McAlpine and Rory Colville, five community councillors and eight other residents. Apologies were received from Lachie Paterson (acting minute secretary) and Sheena MacAlister. There were two main items on the agenda and a number of lesser issues - the main concerns were ‘a clean green village’ and’ turning at the head of the quay’.
Shelagh Cameron got the meeting off to a lively start with ‘bristling’ comments on the continuing lack of a secretary, but quickly returned to a ‘forward-looking’ assessment of actions which could be taken to bring the village, its environs and beach back to an acceptable and attractive standard. Among the proposals were to make the village a ‘plastic bag free zone’, cure the problem of coke and other liquid containers being inserted in the Abbeyfield hedge or dropped between the Paterson’s shop and the Broomfield corner, increase the number of black ABC rubbish bins along the same route, ensure that flower barrels are not receptacles for cigarette ends, to institute ‘litter events’ in the village and along the beach accompanied by a pleasurable and refreshing social event, encourage local children to take a more responsible role in keeping the village tidy. The Chair-person asked for volunteers to help with these initiatives, some individuals volunteered their services or the services of their organisations. It was suggested that Constable Hannah be asked to give a presentation at the local primary school and to take action against Carradale students attending Campbeltown Grammar.
There was an acknowledgement that some grass areas of Carradale were now not being cut on a regular basis - ABC Councillors were urged to press for these to be returned to the normal cutting programme.
The second issue - turning at the head of the Quay, proved even more controversial, not that there was a lack of agreement among residents, but that Argyll & Bute Council officers were thought to be reluctant to deal with an increasing problem of congestion, giving rise to a potential for accidents from inconsiderately parked vehicles on the harbour side of the road and machinery & miscellaneous items on the other. All three Unitary Authority Councillors were asked to press ABC for immediate action, to consider removing everything illegally on the road and instituting court action against the known offender. Councillor Robin Currie thought that action through the ‘said to be moribund’ Harbour Committee might be more appropriate and lead to 6 action by the Council’s new ‘fly tipping’ Manager, Donny MacLeod - incidentally someone who, before his change of role, promised to have new overtaking signs erected on the B842 between Carradale and Redhouse. This initiative seems to have gone to the ‘black & white wooden post’ stage but has yet to come up with clear cast instructions on metal signs in time for the tourist season.
Apart from these two items at least one volunteer may assist with Autumn pruning at the Broomfield garden, but a suggestion that the Primary School be asked to help with the War Memorial garden was not met with enthusiasm by the retired, but still active gardener. Other discussions on administrative matters, proposals for a new dental surgery, Carradale goats holidaying in Tarbert led Shelagh Cameron to announce that the EKCC AGM would be held at 7pm on Thursday 5th June 2008. G.P.
THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY
A giant 20 foot fish may have anglers in Central Scotland doing a double take as it makes its way through Aberfoyle to a new home in Loch Ard forest on Thursday 24 April The only snag is that the pike can't be caught or eaten - the fish is made from metal and will be mounted in the loch. The eye catching work of art is one of eight sculptures being installed in Loch Ard forest as part of a wider tourism development project between Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley and Destination Trossachs which aims to create a family friendly experience in Loch Ard forest.
The sculptures will feature along the 16 miles of forest road in Loch Ard. The road consists of five different cycle routes which run through a wide variety of terrain and past many impressive sights including Loch Ard itself, Loch Chon and two rivers which tumble through the forest to join the river Forth - Duchary Water and Kelty Water.
Stuart Chalmers for Forestry Commission Scotland said: "This project is designed to appeal to families and encourage them to visit Scotland's forests and take part in some healthy exercise. The sculptures and other phases of the project add a learning element to the visit, and can help make exercise fun. We have based the sculptures on the local wildlife found in Loch Ard, so keep an eye out for both the sculptures and the real thing! This is a three phase project, with phase one being complete by June 2008. By the time the project is completed in three years, Loch Ard forest will be a real draw for families and contain a variety of art, orientation points and unusual tales to entertain everyone. We are looking forward to the fish being transported through Aberfoyle - I'm sure the residents won't have seen anything like it before !"
The sculptures are :-
" A large eight foot diameter sun sculpturewith small mirrors to reflect the surrounding landscape. " An acorn, made from vertical logs " Metal cut outs of red squirrels will be painted bright red. " A fox with her cubs " A three dimensional sculpture of an eagle, . " A large metal Pike around 20ft long will be mounted in the loch. " An osprey made from lots of small bent metal rods " A six foot long shiny metal dragonfly
The eye catching sculptures have been made locally by Rob Mulholland.
DENTISTRY DESIGNS
The presentation at Campbeltown’s Community Centre by NHS Highland on Thursday 1st May was the first opportunity for the public to see what may be planned for dental provision in South Kintyre. Apart from upgrading the present dental practice on the first floor of the building in Cross Street, five new developments were shown, either attached to the east end of Campbeltown Hospital, or in the same area but standing as separate buildings. It is anticipated that the present staffing of 2.8 dentists and associated ancillary staff would be enlarged to possibly 5.3 working as a training base for new entrants to the profession. Given the difficulty of attracting dentists to more popular and populous areas, it remains to be seen if any or all of the options becomes a viable proposition.
7 BRING BACK THE SHEEP A MAINTENANCE PROBLEM SOLVED ?
I'm not sending this for inclusion in a future Antler but to show how an area of the village has changed. You may recognise the bit of wall as that just below the War Memorial. It was taken by a friend in about 1975 and shows the sycamore tree that blew down. But note the short grass and complete absence of brambles, a much tidier piece in those days. This was due to the small flock of sheep that wandered the village, cropping any brambles quicker than they could grow. The wood at the rear of Airds cottages also was free of them and had big areas suitable for camping. Every summer a group of miners from Ayrshire arrived and set up camp there. Now the brambles have taken over. Looking back, everyone complained about the sheep and the mess they made in the bus shelter (where they slept), but they performed a service. Brian
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear All
I received the following message and attached poster relating to a new campaign that is launching tomorrow to seek major improvements to the A83. Firstly, my apologies if this has already been sent to you, and secondly I want to make it clear that I am not directly involved in the campaign but fully support it, particularly after hearing a shockingly complacent presentation about future plans for the road by Transport Scotland and Transerve at last week’s Kintyre Initiative Working Group. I hope you will take the time to read the message from the campaign team and if appropriate print and distribute posters for your business, vehicles or own personal use. Thanks, and please address any feedback directly to the campaign e-mail address given below. All the best.
Les Oman
PS I heard on the street today that people are already sending in digital photos of road damage etc. so if you have any I’m sure they will be appreciated !
Dear Les,
Road Rage: A83 is a group set up to stand up for local road users who have had enough of the condition of our main arterial road linking Mid Argyll, Kintyre & Islay with Scotland's central belt. The main focus of this group is to raise the profile of the injustice we face in having to travel on a third world road which is regularly blocked by landslips, accidents and road works; that is maintained in what only can be, at best, described as a hap hazard; and is plagued by inept decisions on what is best for us, the road user.
The main focus of the initial campaign will be the Tarbert to Ardrishaig and the traffic lights at the Rest-and-be-thankful. The Tarbert to Ardrishaig Stretch is too narrow, too dangerous, and in a hopeless state of repair. Resurfacing works are planned - but if nothing is done about the alignment or width of the road we'll be stuck with it for another 20 odd years.
Traffic lights permanently on The Rest are plain unnecessary, there is no reason why work should not take place to reinstate the road until plans are formulated and enacted to stabilise the hillside, which will be years in the making.
The campaign will kick off this Friday when we will be asking you to display the attached poster in your car, van, HGV or PSV making sure not to obscure the driver's sight lines. We are looking for as much visibility as possible so please take a few minutes to forward this poster to as many contacts in your address book who you think will support this campaign. It is important that the campaign starts with a bang so please take the time. The telephone number on the poster is the fault report number for Transport Scotland; the government body responsible for our Trunk Roads. If you use it ask for a call back when the fault is repaired.
A petition will also be launched at the weekend, if you would like to help in getting signatures on the petition please e-mail me at [email protected]
There will be a programme of action over the coming weeks and months. Some of the other issues: The inadequacy of the roundabout at Kilmory for large loads, Traffic Management through Tarbert, Getting the Kintyre Way Walkers off the road etc. These are just suggestions for now but others are welcome. Best Regards, RR : A83
8 CAMPBELTOWN A FURTHER CHAPTER FROM ADAM BEDE’S ‘GLENCREGGAN’
As we neared Campbelton, whose white houses and villas were reflected in the blue waters of the quiet - bay, the setting sun was sinking over the hills behind the town, and flooding the landscape with a golden splendour. It was a beautiful scene, and one that would amply repay the toil of a far more troublesome journey than that which we had been called upon to undertake; and its picture will form a pendant in my memory to that of Loch Ranza. They are rival beauties, but each deserving a crown of excellence. In order to fortify my opinion let me here quote Macculloch's authority. "Fertile as is the west coast in harbours, there is not one that excels this; which, besides being spacious enough to contain a large fleet, is perfectly landlocked, easily entered, and has the best possible holding-ground. The high and bold rock of Davar covers it from the sea completely . . . . . Campbelton occupies the end of the bay on both sides, and is a town not only of very reputable appearance, but of considerable extent and population.
Some extensive piers serve for receiving the smaller class of shipping; and as it is always swarming with fishing-boats and vessels of different kinds, it forms one of the gayest and liveliest scenes imaginable. Detached villas and single houses, scattered about the shore and the sides of the hills, not only add much to the ornamental appearance of the bay, but give an air of taste and opulence to the whole. A more picturesque and beautiful situation for a maritime town could not well be found; and, from different points, it presents some fine views, uniting all the confusion of town architecture with the wildness of Alpine scenery, the brilliancy of a lake, and the life, and bustle, and variety incidental to a crowded harbour and pier." * [* Highlands and Western Isles, voL ii. pp. 63, 64.] I will not add quotations from less reliable authorities, to weaken the force of this passage. It is sufficient to say that Dr. Macculloch's opinion is echoed by the few writers who have made mention of Campbelton, and (I should imagine) by all those who have visited the town and bay.
Certainly no one who saw the scene, as we first saw it, irradiated with all the glories of a brilliant sunset, could have differed with the learned doctor, and would only have amended his description by touching it up with some of those laudatory adjectives, a very feu de joie of which was poured forth by the young ladies on board, as we steamed up the lake-like waters of the beautiful bay, — "how charming ! how lovely ! ! how exquisite ! ! ! how splendid ! ! ! ! how very nice ! ! ! ! ! how sweetly pretty ! ! ! ! ! !"
We steam up between the mountains, and past pretty villas, and detached houses, and fishermen's huts, and rusty-looking nets hung out on high poles, until the houses creep closer to each other, and form themselves into thin lines, and then into a dense crescent-shaped mass, from among which, to the left, darts a weather-cocked spire, while a pinnacled tower, and other signs and evidences of a well-to-do-town, make themselves visible above the confused heap of houses. We pass a battery, and the New Quay, and then, plunging in amid a crowd of boats and fishing-vessels, and dashing into reeling ripples the quiet reflections of white houses and painted boats, we swing broadside on alongside the Old Quay. There is a crowd upon the pier, and a nodding of heads, and other telegraphic signals, made by, and to, passengers on board whose arrival has been expected; and there is a mighty bustle, and a throwing out of ropes, and rattling of chains, and gathering together of luggage, and a furious raid upon it by a crowd of semi-savage gentlemen of the hybrid fisherman breed; and we step across the gangway, and, for the first time in our lives, set foot in the Highlands.
It is with no small pleasure that we find ourselves once more on terra firma. For, although we could congratulate ourselves on having had so favourable a passage, with no bodily discomforts to mar the pleasures of the day, yet, a voyage of six hours, even amid such romantic scenery as that of the Clyde, and the coast of Arran, will begin to tire poor human nature at the last; and the tourist — especially the lady tourist, unless she be gifted with the masculine powers of "the Unprotected Females" and some other recent female travellers,—will begin to sigh for shore, and the comforts of a room that is not a cabin, and that does not vibrate to the throbs of a steam-engine. So we hailed the Highlands with a hearty Glad-to-see-you; and set foot on Cantire land with no small joy, and, perhaps, with a small and secret residue of pride that we had shown to ourselves and to our fellow-passengers that we were such capital sailors.
We had need, too, to congratulate ourselves that we lived in these present days when steam has passed into its vigorous youth, and that we had not been called upon to undertake the voyage a quarter of a century ago, when steam was yet but a crawling infant, and when the voyage to Campbelton would have been twelve hours instead of six. Still worse would it have fared with us half a century ago, when the twelve hours would have been twelve days —if winds and waves were propitious. But the route was so hazardous, that this momentous little "If" usually interfered to prolong the voyage to an indefinite extent; so that, in some in- stances, where goods have been ordered from Glasgow, and regularly shipped, and bills at three months drawn from the day the vessel sailed, these bills have become due before the goods have arrived in Campbelton.
In those days, people made their wills before they undertook this long and perilous voyage that we have now so comfortably and pleasantly achieved in half a dozen hours. It is impossible that the next generation will be able to point to so marked a contrast effected in so brief a time, though, since wonderful discoveries are now treading so closely upon each other's heels, that one re- markable invention is nullified in a few months by another still more remarkable invention, which, in its turn, is speedily reduced
9 to comparative uselessness by some cleverer successor,—there is no knowing where this speed of transit will stop; and the next generation may probably be taking their return tickets at Glasgow for a sail down the Clyde, round Arran, to Campbelton to lunch, and back again to Glasgow to dinner, with appetites sharpened by the sea-breeze.
Indeed, something like this was done on the 7th of July, 1860, when the Lord Provost and magistrates of Glasgow, together with their friends, went on their annual inspection of "the Northern Lights," in the Frith of Clyde. They were on board the Glasgow and Belfast Royal mail steam-ship Giraffe, a magnificent vessel, 280 feet long, with double engines, and all the most recent improvements, built by the Messrs. Thomson of Glasgow, and running her birthday trip on that occasion. The day was still, warm, and beautiful; and the sea as placid as ever lay under summer sun; and the party landed at Campbelton pier, amid the ringing of bells, the inspiriting strains of music, and the joyous welcome of the population, who had turned out in great force to do the honours of the town. Then, after a while, they left Campbelton, amid the same demonstrations, and steamed back to Glasgow, at the rate of twenty miles an hour.
We, however, are not on board the Giraffe, neither do we land amid popular demonstrations of joy, save such as ever encounter the tourist from expectant porters, and greedy land-sharks; and, thus, at six o'clock on this sunny summer's afternoon, we stand amid new sights and sounds upon Campbelton quay, while the customary scramble for our luggage is going on. A stalwart, bare- legged woman is the victor, who bodily carries off our bag and baggage to a truck, where she vainly endeavours to persuade us to leave it and speed on our way to our inn. This specimen of the Highlander's beast of burden (for this is but too generally the character of the women) appears to think her honesty impugned when I make answer that our luggage is but another portion of ourselves, and that she might as well attempt to separate us from it, as to detach her husband (who, the work being all over, has now lounged up) from that gill of whiskey, for which he will infallibly ask, when he has trundled up our goods to the inn.
So, we form ourselves into a little procession: the husband tugs at the baggage-laden truck; the wife lustily shoves in the rear; and we march up Main Street, and past The Cross, to the corner of Argyle Street, where The White Hart receives us out of the evening sunshine, and where Mr. Freeborn soon sets before us a comfortable tea, wherein the light artillery of plates of biscuits, and glasses of preserves, are mingled, in Scotch fashion, with the heavier metal of cold joints, and chicken, and hot chops.* [* The tourist will find this a comfortable inn, the host and hostess civil and obliging, and their charges moderate. Open cars and other conveyances are kept here, and a couple of days might be very pleasantly passed in driving about to see "the lions."]
Refreshed by the meal, with no headache, and but little fatigue, we are glad to wander out in the cool of the evening, and look about us.
CUTTERS & SMUGGLERS
‘Campbeltown in those days was the headquarters of no fewer than seven large Revenue cruisers, all being commanded by naval officers. They were powerful vessels, generally managed by double crews, each having a smaller craft as tender, their chief duties being to intercept those who smuggled salt, spirits and tea from the Isle of Man. The officers and men of the cutters made Campbeltown their home, and the houses of the commanders were usually built opposite to the buoys of their respective cutters. The merits of each cutter and officer were the subject of animated discussion in the town’...... from the 'Kings Cutters and Smugglers 1700 -1855, a book by E. Keeble Chatterton.
E-MAIL ANTLER ON LINE
Donald Kelly, who patiently puts the e-mail version of The Antler on line, in the Kintyre On Record archives at http://www.scribd.com/people/view/220389-kintyre-on-record says that the February 185 Antler has had 244 views, the March 186 Antler had 199 views and the April 187 Antler 115 views. If you have lost your copy and are not bothered about the graphic content, it's worth checking ‘scribd.com’.
CARRADALE RENTALS IN 1724
Wandering around Brackley Cemetery after funerals, visitors often find older family names occurring quite frequently on recent stones. Duncan Ritchie, despite a medical restriction to his Shore Road cottage, has sent in a list of tenants in those parts of Kintyre which were not owned by the Argyll family. Generally this information is scarce and he was therefore pleased to find a list of following list of tenants on Carradale Estate in 1724 (S.C. 54/22/125/10) some of whom have descendants still living in the area, if not working the original tenancies.
AUCHINSAVILLE Neil McPhater, Neil McCallum, Neil McMillan – Smith, John McMillan – merchant, Archibald Brown, Neil McMillan – tailor, Duncan McPhaden, Dugald McMillan. KILMICHAEL Neil McMillan, Archibald McIlchallum, Angus
10 McMillan, Donald Brown, Patrick McIlchallum, John McMillan & Barbara Thomson. KERONASHIE Hugh Thomson, Ivor & John Browns. AUCHINRIOCH Finlay Kerr - tacksman DOUCHORRANMORE Bailie David Campbell. DOUCHORRANBEG John McIlchallum.
Duncan McKeig and his brother Archibald McKeig had been in Auchinsaule. Also Archibald Brown, Malcolm Mcllverachan, Malcolm McEachie do. in Kilmichale, John McMillan deceist in Douchorranmore, and Malcolm McMillan in Douchorranbeg.
KINTYRE INITIATIVE MEETING
The Kintyre Initiative meetings continue to include a wide ranging membership and, under the Chairmanship of Councillor John Semple, attracts increasing respect for its role in serving the interests of Kintyre.
The most recent meeting in Campbeltown Council chamber was an opportunity for at least four widely differing groups to describe their activities, defend their actions or provide opportunities for public involvement. While the tradition at Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay Area meetings is to restrict public involvement to one session at the beginning of its meetings, the Kintyre Initiative meetings under John Semple’s lively control each presentation is followed by an chance to ask questions and to pursue particular interests.
GAS
Andrew and Martin, two representatives of Scottish Gas explained the nature of their business nationally and in relation to the local supply in Campbeltown. Their presence was welcomed at a time when the restrictions on the area surrounding the Campbeltown gasometer are, once again, in the limelight. If there is sufficient development need for the installation to be moved further out of town several options could be considered. One would be to change from LNG to LPG, but this would involve upgrading or replacing all domestic appliances to accept the new fuel - a very expensive operation. At the present time 1,800 residents and businesses benefit by 180 deliveries of gas by lorry a year. - a storage of 30-60 tonnes. This ensures that at any one time there is sufficient in store to last six days. In a move to look at the whole system a small local committee has been formed to compare the options available and to examine ways of reducing the carbon footprint of power supplies in Campbeltown.
CROFTING
Drew Ratter and Hugh McIntosh of the Crofting Commission spoke of the present state of crofting in Scotland and of moves to develop new crofts under enlightened patronage, avoiding the traditional antagonism between land-owners and crofting tenants. Commenting on the nature of crofting to those with little or no knowledge, he explained that crofting was never a self-supporting life-style and always needed a financial boost from other employment. As a crofter himself, and a Councillor he was able to advise an interested Councillor Semple, and those without a crofting background, that as many as 65 prospective crofters a year are being given grants to assist their entry to this integral part of Scottish life. Crofts in general vary tremendously in size and some are as large as 1000 hectares. Recent talks with the Forestry Commission may result in crofts being set up on Forestry land. Conversely the Crofting Commission is involved in as many as 1,800 cases a year where disputes occur or de-registering is under requested. The Commission employs 69 staff, mostly in Inverness and has eight Commissioners - one of whom is Councillor Robin Currie of Islay.
WATER
Iain McMillan, Planning Manager and Jane McKenzie, Public Relations Officer, explained in some detail the problems involved in the Campbeltown sewage disposal system and the difficulties in pressurising the passage of effluent when working against very high tides. Despite the amount of research going into problem-solving Mr McMillan said that it was unlikely that corrective engineering would be up and working in less than two years. While the awaited Public Enquiry was still not on the calendar, Scottish Water were pushing ahead with works intended to mitigate the worst of the present problems.
ROADS
After two hours of the earlier presentations, officials of Transerve Scotland and Transport Scotland gave a comprehensive report on the priorities and procedures involved in maintaining the A83 between Tarbet and the Islay Ferry. The present role of Transerve Scotland is to record discrepancies on Thursdays and Fridays and to prioritise repair need for action on Sundays and Mondays; Transport Scotland’s duties includes ensuring that the A83 and other trunk routes receive the financial priority that road use requires.
Steve of Transerve Scotland gave a screen presentation on the present state of the A83 and the processes which are designed to 11 minimise the failure of the road. He said that the A83’s length of 108km was but part of Transerve’s North West’s responsibility of 1144km. Confusingly he said that a recent study of trunk road usage recorded only 8% of North West’s current traffic used the road from Tarbet to Lochgilphead, with the same 8% continuing beyond Ardrishaig toward Campbeltown. The present commitment is for 14.6% of the total budget to be spent on schemes south of Ardrishaig. After protests from a vociferous group of transport operatives at the meeting about the narrowness of the roads at Erines one member of the Transport Scotland team commented that he found the road width adequate if speeds were reasonable. He added that many sections of the A83 were of good quality and others would be brought up to standard when finances allowed. The same transport members asked why so much of the budget was spent on roads and pavements in Inveraray and Arrochar. The reply was that damage by lorries in both settlements required extensive and costly repairs.
When questioned about the Rest-and-be-Thankful slip, the problems arising when the A83 is closed and about other trunk roads, particularly the A82, the Chief Executive of Transport Scotland, Dr Malcolm Reed, repeated the main points which he had previously made through John Withers, Area Manager North West, to the Secretary of the Association of Argyll & Bute Community Councils -
“The A82 and A83 form an important part of the national strategic transport corridor linking Glasgow to Oban, Fort William and the Western Isles which is being considered by Transport Scotland as part of the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR). This review is examining the longer term needs of Scotland's nationally strategic transport network and will deliver its findings to Scottish Ministers in the summer of 2008”.
“A recent major study of the A82 between Tarbet and Fort William identified £90 million of potential schemes and £16 million of investment in the A82 is planned for delivery over the next five years. This package includes improvements at Pulpit Rock between Tarbet and Ardlui and also a new Western bypass at Crianlarich. This will allow A82 traffic to travel north and avoid the bridges, junctions and narrow roads in the village”.
“In addition to these longer term measures on the A82, there are also works currently planned or underway to improve the safety characteristics of the trunk road. These works include better signs, improved road markings, antiskid surfacing at some sharp bends and drainage improvements. There are also works being considered at locations where the road is narrow and at junctions. The provision of laybys is being increased at some locations and at other locations, laybys which are less safe are being removed. New picnic sites to complement those already at Tarbet, Inveruglas and Loch Linnhe are proposed”.
“During 2007, the A82 benefitted from the construction of a new £5 million Lairig Eilde Bridge in Glencoe and the Fort William to Torlundy Cycleway (for the World Mountain Bike Championships). The replacement of the existing sub-standard A82 Achnambeithach Bridge has also now started”.
“The trunk road programme for the current financial year is in the final stages of development, but subject to available funding, it is likely to include resurfacing work on the A82 Crianlarich Rail Bridge and on the A83 west of Dunderave Point and at Ardkinglas. In addition, the reconstruction and realignment work from Tarbet to Inveruglas and south of Inverarnan is currently being designed”.
In relation to the ‘slip’ he said that there was a long history of instability on that section of the A82. Geo-technical tests were still being carried out but that a solution might be to follow the example of the solution to an earlier slip which included a culvert to allow both water and debris to escape downhill without damaging the road surface or the sub-structure.
JOHN MCCAUGHAN 1929 - 2008 EXTRACTS FROM AN APPRECIATION READ AT HIS BURIAL SERVICE
John McCaughan, born on 21/06/29 and died 20/04/08. John’s father James, was a shoemaker from Ballycastle in Northern Ireland, and his mother, Annie MacDonald was from a farming family in Southend. John was the youngest in the family of five siblings; Etta is the sole survivor. I know that John was well known in the town, and I’ve met a number of his former pupils at Campbeltown Grammar, where John taught for most of his thirty six years in teaching, who fondly remember him and have stories and anecdotes to tell. His teaching career started in Campbeltown, continued at St Mark’s Junior Secondary, Glasgow 1953-1958, then Lourdes Secondary School 1958-1961, and St Margaret Mary’s Castlemilk 1961-1968. He returned to Campbeltown in 1968, where he was principal teacher of Business Studies, until he retired in 1989.
John had wonderful linguistic skills accompanied by a sharp wit, making a memorable combination! Latterly, especially with deteriorating health, he became more solitary in his life. In his earlier years he could be life and soul of the party. His retirement speech was legendary, and I read a copy recently. So many amazing quotations and funny lines, including the story of the Trappest monk who entered the monastery, and was allowed to speak four words every ten years. After ten years he said “my room is
12 cold”, after another ten years he said “my bed is hard” and after another ten years he said “ my food is lumpy”. So the abbot said “ look pack your bags and go. You’ve done nothing but complain since you got here” !
A description of John that has been used is that he was a private person. I feel a strength having known him all my life, and he will always be a pillar of my foundations. His memory and snapshot times will live on. In retirement in his own surroundings, John had a contentment and faith that often people don’t have in life. He loved his home, garden, music, books, films and crosswords. Earlier in life he travelled before it became a trend, throughout Europe, especially Spain. He had a great general knowledge, and used to get phone calls requesting help with homework, both for my generation, and my children’s. I used to say that he’d be your phone a friend on “who wants to be a millionaire”. John was blessed with great friends. At party’s John liked to sing. One of his favourites was a version of “I left my heart in San Francisco”, by Tony Bennet”
I was glad that I was able to spend time with John at the end of his life, and I would like to say a huge thank-you to everyone who helped in at various times in the past few years, those who were involved in his final illness and his funeral; having lived in a small town (Tobermory) I know how the community can rally round, showing care and compassion. This is often missing in bigger places.
For anyone who wish to remember John there’s an opportunity to make a donation to Alzheimer Scotland, which does so much in researching the causes of dementia - supporting the sufferer - as it must be so difficult to lose the functions of the mind, brain and memory. Alzheimer Scotland is also there for carers, as it’s not just what’s happening to their loved one, but what may happen, and being the voice for that person.
Anne Devlin, John’s niece.
ACHA NEW HOPE FOR ACHA WARDENS
Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) has welcomed comments by Argyll and Bute Councillors supporting the continuation of sheltered housing warden services.
ACHA’s Chair, Norman Beaton has written to Council Leader Dick Walsh welcoming the mutual cooperation that has been expressed to finding a way forward. He has confirmed ACHA’s commitment to arranging a meeting with officers of each organisation, possibly including ACHA Board members and key councillors.
ACHA had been invited to meet with local residents and their families at one of the sheltered housing complexes to discuss concerns over the future of the warden service. At the meeting, residents and their families stressed how important the service is to them and local councillors supported continuation of the service.
The meeting in Rothesay was attended by three Bute councillors, an ACHA representative, local residents and families, and MP Alan Reid.
An ACHA spokesperson said, “We understand a Council meeting last week was very positive in that it built further on the stated willingness to work together to find solutions between ACHA and the Council regarding the warden service. We understand that there was a re-affirmation of a need for continuing dialogue following the meetings to work up the detail of any proposals, which the Association will be taking forward with their counterparts in the Council.”
Media enquiries - Lorna Kerr : 01631 567912
A HISTORIC BIOPTIC VIEW BARR & STROUD 7x BINOCULARS
These Barr and Stroud 7x binoculars illustrated here have lived through a varied and even distinguished history over the last sixty or seventy years.
They were a vital tool of Lt/Cdr. Walter Mears, DSC RNVR during the Normandy landings in July 1944, when he was navigating officer on a flotilla of gun boats. The binoculars had already been part of his equipment in mine-laying operations out of Lochalsh, in the waters around Iceland, and on decoy duties with Arctic convoys.
13 But it was during the capture of Walcheren Island, in the Netherlands, in November 1944 that they proved their worth. With no navigational marks remaining, and the flotilla’s progress hampered by swift and dangerous tides, the binoculars had many souls depending on their efficiency in helping the success of the capture.
After the war, Lt/Cdr. Mears restored a minesweeper to its former self as a charter yacht in the Mediterranean. He sailed for three years without incident around the Greek Islands, with the help of his faithful binoculars.
In 1950, the binoculars emigrated (with their owner) to Africa, game-viewing and bird-watching in Gorongosa, Wankie and Kruger game reserves, while settling in Rhodesia.
When Walter Mears died, he left his precious binoculars to his son, who lives on the west coast of Scotland. Now retired, the binoculars spend too much time shut away in the dark, superseded by lighter, smarter, clearer models. But occasionally they are brought out to show some patient watcher the seals, basking sharks, dolphins and gannets passing by.
Lt/Cdr. Mears received a DSC, mainly for his part in the Walcheren operation; the old binoculars deserve more than a dusty cupboard.
Martin Mears
ONE YEAR ON – A NEWS LETTER FROM COUNCILLOR JOHN SEMPLE
Dear Constituent,
It doesn’t seem like a year since I was knocking doors asking for your vote on May 3rd last year. Since then my feet have hardly touched the ground. It has been a non-stop learning experience since the election.
Kintyre has played an important part in making the change from a Scottish Executive to the Scottish Government. Winning Argyll & Bute was, in no small part, down to the people of South Kintyre. The main message I picked up on the doorsteps last year was; it’s time for a change. Both Jim Mather and I would like to thank once again those of you who chose the SNP to deliver that change. Far from being the disaster predicted by some, the first 12 months of the new Scottish Government has seen steady progress towards fulfilling our election pledges.
Working with our MSP, Jim Mather, has been a pleasure. Anyone who has contacted Jim on constituency matters will know that his response is quick and decisive. Kintyre is being listened to as never before and significant things are beginning to happen. This is the benefit of having a team; a team consisting of 2 local SNP councillors, working as part of a 10 strong group of SNP councillors in the ruling coalition of Argyll & Bute Council, and into The Cabinet of the Scottish Government through Jim Mather.
In the Council there is also steady change. It is clear to me that much of the change required is in the values of management and the systems of the council. Essential also is greater support for customer-facing staff to provide the kind of service improvements that they and customers would prefer.
I have taken the responsibility given to me by the voters of South Kintyre very seriously and have taken on roles within the new SNP/Independent administration which will assist me drive forward change. On the ground, working with my other ward colleagues, we have updated and made progress with local plans and pressed for action on important issues for our shared ward. Working well together, irrespective of political differences, is very important and very much part of the new reality both in Argyll & Bute Council and at Holyrood.
The benefits of teamwork cannot be stressed enough, in the Westminster Elections you will have the opportunity to add to the team. Mike McKenzie is our Prospective Parliamentary Candidate. I have known Mike for only a few years, but it only takes a few minutes talking to him to realise his qualities. Mike knows what it is to live and grow a business in the remote parts of Argyll & Bute, and like myself, he is keen to see the kind of change which puts local communities at the top of the agenda. I hope you get the chance to meet him over the coming months.
Change benefiting Kintyre has been apparent from almost day one of the SNP Government. The commitment of Alex Salmond towards the reinstatement of the Campbeltown / Ballycastle Ferry is evidence of this. In Argyll & Bute, the budget proposed by the SNP / Independent coalition and passed unanimously in February 2008, focuses on some of the key considerations identified to me on the doorsteps one year ago. They were; condition of the roads, the condition of our schools and the condition of our town. 14 Over the coming months there will be more activity progressing in key areas which voters identified as being important to South Kintyre. Please be patient, much of what is wrong didn’t happen overnight and will take some time to put right. An important issue and one which I committed to before the elections last May, was to communicate and consult with you. To this end I will produce and circulate this newsletter, visit as many homes as possible, and use the local media to keep you informed.
Over the page is a summary of my activities in the last 12 months and just some of the issues that will come to the fore in the next 12 months, also contact details for our SNP team. I am at your service.
Yours sincerely, John Semple
What I pledged to do if elected What I’ve done about this to date
To put economic development at the Pressed for progress with disposal of The Machrihanish Base with the forefront MOD, Championed an extended marina development in Campbeltown, Consistently worked, lobbied and persuaded for the return of the Campbeltown / Ballycastle ferry, holding to account statutory sector organisations and quangos on development issues affecting South Kintyre, supported grass roots businesses in South Kintyre.
To work for better educational Consulted with staff & regarding key defects of local educational buildings, opportunities campaigning for action on Campbeltown Nursery Centre, Monitoring progress with development of a school estate strategy, Supported the increased budget for school estates through the SNP / Independent coalition.
To keep constituents informed Newsletter produced, radio interviews undertaken, press articles, and public meetings attended.
To work full time as a councillor Average of 40hours per week worked as a councillor.
To see older people get the services they Monitoring closely the changes in older people’s services and changes at deserve Campbeltown Hospital.
To make council more accountable and Attending many community council meetings, crime prevention, and other accessible interest groups across South Kintyre, meeting people on their doorstep, holding surgeries regularly in Campbeltown at convenient times.
To fix the roads properly Effectively lobbied Transport Scotland on Trunk Roads and Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson, on the A83 between Tarbert & Inverneil, lobbied for the £27m increase in roads budget within the SNP / Independent Coalition.
To make our voice heard High attendance rate and frequent input at council and other meetings, singularly stopped £10 million of funding for Town Centre & Waterfronts being allocated away from Campbeltown. Regularly in contact with Jim Mather MSP on constituency matters.
Responsibilities
Chair - Kintyre Initiative Working Group Chair – Environment Policy & Performance Group Chair – Campbeltown Town Centre & Waterfront Regeneration Project Vice Chair – Mid Argyll, Kintyre & Islands Area Committee Deputy Spokesperson – Roads & Transportation
15 Surgeries
I hold my surgeries in the Burnet Building, Hall St, Campbeltown, 4.00pm – 5.30pm second Friday every month (no August Surgery)
Future issues
These are a few issues which will come to the fore over the next few months which you should be aware of. Please contact me if you have any concerns or wish further information on these or any other issues. I am happy to visit you anytime.
x Campbeltown to Ballycastle ferry service x Care of the elderly x School Estate Strategy x Road repair programme x Town Centre & Waterfront developments
Contact Details – SNP Team for South Kintyre
Councillor John Semple Tel. 01586 553765 email [email protected] Jim Mather MSP Tel. 01631 571359 email [email protected] Mike McKenzie PPC Tel. 01852 300 419 email [email protected]
TRIBUTE TO JEANETTE MACDOUGALL
Jeanette was born on February 23rd 1942 to her parents Thomas and Elizabeth Finn. Together with her brother Cecil she was brought up in Campbeltown, mainly by her mother as her father died when she was still quite young. In 1966 she got married to Donna MacDougall and moved to Carradale. Enjoying a happy marriage, they had 3 children: Elspeth who arrived in 1968, Matthew in 1972 and lastly Lorne in 1983. They provided for them a loving and caring home and it was a source of great suffering when their middle son who had been born with a heart defect, died after an operation when he was only 8 years old.
Jeanette was not one for sitting idly; she loved to be in work. She first worked for West Coast Motors and then, after taking time out in order to raise her family, she worked in the Jobcentre before in 1997 she found employment with McNair where she was until recently when her illness broke out. Next to her duties within her family and in her employment, she took on the responsibilities of a deacon in our church. Brought up as a Roman-Catholic she used to marvel - with a twinkle in her eye, no doubt – at the fact that The Church of Scotland would see fit to make her a deacon. She carried out her duties as a deacon faithfully for many years.
Jeanette was an honest, hardworking and unselfish person, who would give you her last penny and help you in any way she could. She was someone who told it as it was and made a point of never being ashamed of one’s roots.
She enjoyed and was always game for a laugh and was generous with her time. She was devoted to her family, to her grand- children Caitlin and Alex, and to her god-children. She never missed a school concert or anything they were performing in.
Her relationship with her husband Donna was such that she would let him think he was the boss when, in reality, it was her that was in charge.
She enjoyed travelling the country with Lorne to piping competitions and performances. A favourite memory from her family was when Lorne who was learning to march and play his pipe at the same time, had to march up the hall while his mum followed drumming the beat with a wooden spoon and a biscuit tin. Music was in her blood too, She played the piano and the accordion and was regularly asked to entertain others with her partner (in crime) Margaret. “Big Ellie Mae”, the song about an unfortunate Lady golfer became their signature tune.
Jeanette was famous for her phone calls. They usually began with: “It’s me”, which, if you were not in would become: “Does no one ever answer the phone in this house ? !”
She never forgot a birthday, and even in hospital she had her mobile phone under the covers of her bed so as to be able to phone up and say: “It’s me; I’m under the covers – Happy Birthday ! Bye !”
16 She loved her work at McNair’s and discharged it with a cheery manner and, being her usual self, in a way that at times must have made Alan Shaw wonder who was in charge.
While in Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, if you asked to see Mrs MacDougall, the nurses would answer: “You mean Jeanette !” That was her, an endearing, lively and approachable character.
She died last Sunday while in hospital from a heart attack. She was respected by many and will be missed. She is now at peace. J.V.
ROCKET TO ME
As the sun shone down on a quiet Waterfoot Saturday afternoon there was little to suggest that an attack from hostile forces was imminent. With the air temperature in single centigrade figures there was not the slightest sign of anything which might lead one to suppose that somebody’s adrenalin urge was at an all-time high and trouble was brewing. Suddenly a whoosh and a stream of vapour shot into the sky in the direction of the caravan site, frightening one holiday-maker to suspect that she was under attack and demanding the return of her husband from fishing.
Someone saw the projectile leaving the Waterfoot ‘arsenal’ phoned the Coastguard and within minutes the Carradale Police Force had surrounded the riverside triangle ready to deploy whatever was required to contain the threat to life and limb. Strangely, the following day, there were no statements on TV by female Chief Constables complaining that some European Community members were making extra demands on the service. Schools managed without the aid of interpreters to deal with ‘ethnic’ children and there were no Spring coughing virus outbreaks to stop the surgery dealing with smoke inhalation or accidents caused by anyone handling explosives.
To round off Easter celebrations members of a Naval Bomb Disposal Team were busy having an early Guy Fawkes event on Torrisdale Beach.
What was it all about ? Were non-Christians involved or was it simply an everyday occurrence among fishing folk. All may or may not be clear when, and if, The Campbeltown Courier reports something that took place on April 12th which wasn’t advertised on the Visit Scotland or Carradale Goat web-sites
POSTAL CHANGES – A SIGN OF THE TIMES
Most people are now aware that the cost of First and Second Class post has risen, but other types of ‘post’ have also gone up. Some have suddenly appeared, others, like the black & white passing place ‘trunks’ have replaced earlier structures.
Some years ago public pressure and Councillor Rory Colville obtained a 30 mph speed limit in Peninver - four new posts and a ‘sputnik’ welcome sign. Other South Kintyre villages followed suit and before long 20 mph signs started to appear outside schools in Campbeltown. Later still Carradale School joined the fray - two more posts. Last year a ‘forest’ of 30 pedestrian signposts appeared in the village and were joined by a single ‘redwood sized’ single post notifying the presence of a ‘path to school’ improvement. In the last month other isolated ‘tree-like’ verticals have appeared imposing new speed limits through both East and West parts of the village and 40mph signs between the two settlements.
In order to sort out the ‘wood’ from the ‘trees’, so to speak, while most have a full-time legal status or are approved by the Council, the School signs have a somewhat ‘quasi-deciduous’ status - when the School is assembling or dispersing it ‘springs’ into life twice a day, whether its a school term or not - I wonder if Carradale School has joined other ‘public’ schools and taken in all- year-round boarders.
Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of our sign ‘wood’ is that some ‘trees’ bloom from their tops while others have ‘leafless’ upper main stems - does anyone know of a road traffic woodman who can trim the tops of dying ‘syca-sign-amors’
ABC ATTENDANCE
The information at Appendix 1 is a summary of the information that has been collected, but in the interest of economy the full 40+ pages showing all the meetings each member attended or not have not been circulated. While we have collected the information where available it is not easy to show in a summary table that a Member, for example, may have been at another Committee etc meeting or representing the Council elsewhere, or ill.
17 The system does not capture the attendance of Councillors who may be present at meetings of Committees etc of which they are not members. People may take from the figures a skewed impression of meetings attended. For example those in the regulatory cohort will generally have more attendances because they will attend appeals and other hearings. Spokespersons main attendance is really at the Executive (and Area Committees) because they are not on the regulatory cohort or PPGs.
The statistics do not of course reflect at all the other work that Spokespersons undertake neither at meetings both within the Council, at COSLA, with Government Ministers, MSPs, and with partner bodies and other agencies; nor the many occasions as spokespersons when they are working for or representing the Council in the community. This applies of course particularly to the Leader and the Provost as well as all spokespersons.
Nor do they reflect all the work any and all Councillors do in their constituencies, attending meetings of community organisations or with their constituents individually and in groups, as well as dealing with requests for assistance from constituents individually.
THE TELECARE SERVICE
The service provides a home safety and personal security system that enables people to live independently within their own homes. This is achieved through the clever combination of a 24 hour telephone link to the response centre and state of the art technology.
Benefits of The Telecare Service
• Instant response - our highly skilled operators respond to your call and take the appropriate action to get the help you need when you need it • Personal service - friendly and dignified service • We won't leave you - our operators will stay on the line with you until help arrives • Complete reassurance - 24 hour link to the response centre • Easy installation - wireless system so no unsightly wiring
How does the service work ?
The service involves the provision of a telephone link 24 hours a day between your home and the response centre. All that is required is a telephone line and an electrical power point. Should a sensor be activated, a message is sent to response centre where trained operators take the most appropriate action, whether it be contacting a family member, neighbour, doctor or the emergency services.
HOW DOES THE TECHNOLOGY HELP ?
A range of unobtrusive intelligent te ecare sensors offer a comprehensive way to manage the risks to a person's health and home environment, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, A flexible range of telecare sensors are available including :
PERSONAL TRIGGER - a call for help can be raised from anywhere in the home or garden
BOGUS CALLER BUTTON - fitted near a door, this discreet button can be used to call for assistance at the 24 hour response centre when a stranger requests entry into your home
SMOKE DETECTOR - potentially a life saving device, the radio smoke detector provides additional protection by raising an instant alarm call to the response centre
FALL DETECTOR - automatically detects a serious fall and raises an alert at the 24 hour response centre
FLOOD DETECTOR - this neat unobtrusive radio sensor provides an early warning by alerting the response centre of potential flood situations in the home
PIR (MOVEMENT DETECTOR) - detects movement and raises an alert, providing the 24 hour response centre with the ability to audibly verify and record the presence of an intruder or alternatively detect for inactivity.
For further information ring 01546 604275
18 CARRADALE SURGERY NEWS
Spring 2008 Public Holiday The surgery will be closed on Monday 26th May 2008 Please order your repeat medication in good time.
During public holidays as at other out-of-hours periods if requiring a doctor telephone NHS24 on 08454 24 24 24 and in life-threatening emergencies dial 999
SKIPNESS CLINIC
The next nurse clinic for Skipness patients will be in Skipness Village Hall on Saturday 7th June starting at 11am
Telephone the Community Nurses on 01583 431242 to arrange an appointment
The practice would like to welcome Eileen Black to the administration team. Eileen has been working in the office/reception area since January
SURGERY ALTERATIONS
A number of changes are taking place at the surgery at the moment with building work going on both inside and out. These alterations have been advised with regard to the Disability Discrimination Act. A new ramp is being built at the fire exit at the back to permit easier emergency egress from the building for all. Delays with the concrete for this have unfortunately resulted in the letter box being temporarily inaccessible. For the time being please either hand in or telephone your prescription requests. Changes are also to be made to the car park including moving the disabled bay closer to the front ramp and creating a set down area which must not be blocked. Alterations will be made to the reception window, which will be moved, and made lower, and hopefully by creating a box structure around it, confidentiality when speaking to reception staff will be improved. There are a number of modifications to the main patient toilet, including the addition of a baby changing area, and several other additions including coat hooks and radiator covers. We trust that these changes will be felt to be an improvement by all our patients and apologise for any inconvenience caused by the inevitable disruption while the work takes place.
PATIENT MEDICAL FUND : Over the winter months the Patient Group Medical Fund was boosted by donations from retiring collections, of £460 in November and more recently a further £268. The money will be used to purchase further items of equipment for use by practice patients. The practice would once again like to thank all those who gave so generously.
WEIGH DOWN : The practice continues to offer additional support to patients who would like to lose weight. Weigh Down group sessions are run by Practice Nurse Jill Denton on the first Friday of the month at 5.30pm. Anyone interested in losing some weight should contact Jill for more information or come along to the next session.
CHANGES IN OUR COMPUTER SYSTEM
In addition to the physical changes taking place at the surgery, during the second half of April, we will also be changing the computer system that we use to record patient registrations and all health care information. During the week beginning 14th April staff will be undergoing training in the new system and the following week software engineers will be installing the new system and assisting the practice with the transfer.
Again we ask that you bear with us during this period as there will inevitably be delays incurred. Please allow extra time for the practice to process your prescription requests and anticipate longer waiting times until staff are familiar with the new system. We anticipate that once the initial period of familiarisation is past, the new system will enhance the service we provide to our patients, in particular through its improved capability to allow a clinician to access important details of your previous medical historv and future screening requirements.
PRESCRIPTIONS
We do not keep a large stock of less commonly prescribed items. Orders for medication are placed at lunchtime (cut-off time 1.30pm) on a Monday and Thursday, with items being delivered late afternoon on Tuesday and Friday (usually after 4pm). We ask that you bear this in mind when submitting and collecting repeat prescription requests. Please order your repeat medication in good time before you run out and try to submit your prescription requests before order cut-off times.
19 HOMECOMING SCOTLAND
Homecoming 2009 is a Scottish Government initiative managed by Event Scotland in partnership with Visit-Scotland. The aim of the programme is a strong portfolio of activity in 2009 that will :
Deliver additional tourism visits and revenues for Scotland Engage and motivate the Scottish Diaspora Celebrate Scotland's outstanding contributions to the world Promote pride amongst Scots at home and abroad Reflect our heritage and be guided by the ‘pillars’ - Robert Burns, Scottish Ancestry, Whisky, Golf, Innovation and the Scottish Enlightenment Events-Scotland is co-ordinating several strands of activity including: Themed Events programme of one off special funding for events between £5000 and £50,000 5 signature events specifically commissioned for 2009 Promotion of a year round programme of events including those by partners through international marketing and communications
At the Council's budget meeting it was agreed that £200k fund be established to achieve a meaningful programme of events in Argyll and Bute for Homecoming 2009 and also as a means of levering in additional resources.
On 28th of February 2008 the Homecoming Steering Group met to develop funding criteria for events.
In order to generate the greatest cultural and economic impact from the programme it is proposed that the following criteria are established for this funding stream.
• Events should relate to one of the pillars of Robert Burns, Scottish Ancestry, Whisky, Golf and Innovation and the Scottish Enlightenment
• 3 strands of funding, which will be allocated by the Homecoming Steering Group in line with the categories below : (a) commissioning and/or marketing strand of £40,000 (b) £80,000 for larger event grants with a minimum expenditure for each event of £20,000 with the Council's contribution a maximum of 50% of funding (c) £80,000 for smaller event grants with a maximum expenditure of £19,999 on each event or a minimum expenditure of £3000 with the Council's contribution a maximum of 50% of funding
• Key assessment criteria will include :
(a) Open to activities that take place within Argyll and Bute (b) Degree to which the event will generate economic benefits for Argyll and Bute through tourism (c) Degree of relevance to Homecoming themes (d) Level of additional funding secured (e) General Terms and Conditions which relate to previously established Events and Festivals funding with the qualification that post event analysis must include details of the economic impact of funding.
Application forms and criteria for grants will be available from the end of May 2008 and will be widely publicised. The deadline for submission will be Friday 26th of September 2008. The objective will be for all applications received by the deadline to be determined be the end of December 2008. All events must be completed by December 2009 with grants claimed by the end of January 2010.
The availability for further match funding through LEADER, AIE and Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire will be followed up.
CONCLUSION
This funding stream represents an opportunity for a programme of activity for Homecoming 2009 that will make a significant economic impact. The criteria outlined aim to ensure that activities will generate economic benefits for Argyll and Bute through tourism. This programme will assist the Council deliver objectives of the Corporate Plan, the Cultural Strategy and Sport and Physical Activity Strategy.
20 £200,000 has been included in the revenue budget. Additional funding will be sought through the LEADER programme, AIE and Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire
Complies with the Council's EO policy.
Director of Community Services 11th March 2008
Donald MacVicar, Head of Planning and Performance Tel: 01546 604364
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Sir,
THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT’S ‘HOME-COMING SCOTS’ INITIATIVE
I was delighted to learn of this new scheme designed to bring natives back to their homeland as visitors or returning tax-payers. I am sure Gordon and Tony would be the first to return and assist this drive to bring Scots home to a country flooded by immigrants from other parts of Britain and the European Community.
I note that in Argyll and Bute this move is described as a programme which will seek to attract ex-patriots and those with an interest in Scotland to visit the country during 2009. The initiative promotion states “The year has been selected as it is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. Given the strong South Ayrshire links with Burns, the hope is that the ‘Home-coming’ will generate particular visitor interest in this area. The ‘Home-coming’ will however not only be a celebration of Burns but also some of Scotland's other great contributions to the world - Golf, Whisky, the Enlightenment and Innovation - as well as the rich culture and heritage of Scots at home and through the many people of Scots descent who live out-with our shores”.
While not quite in keeping with the aims of Ratko Mladic, Saddam Hussein or Robert Mugabe, this statement of intent should be fostered by all discerning Scots and may find support in Kintyre where at least one resident has gone a step further – ‘welcoming home’ to their car-parking spaces only those Scots who were born in the area !
An unenlightened, non-golf playing, abstaining resident.(name and address supplied)
FALLS PREVENTION
ARE YOU AT RISK ?
Have you had a fall in the last year ? Did you hurt yourself ? Did you have to call for the doctor ? YES / NO Were you able to summon help ? YES / NO Are you able to do the things you used to prior to the fall ? YES / NO
If any of your answers to the above are underlined - you are at risk and should seek help and advice. The health problems associated with people likely to have a fall include :
> Balance, gait and mobility problems. > Taking four or more medications. > Visual impairment. > Impaired cognition or depression. > Postural hypotension > Home hazards. > Poor lighting. > Uneven pavements.
To help prevent falls :-
> Make sure your house is well lit. > If you are having dizzy spells, find out why. > Keep the things you need within easy reach. > Find out about getting a community alarm system installed.
21 > Request an Occupational Therapy assessment for advice about equipment to help you around your home. > Ask your pharmacist or GP to review your medications. > Have regular home safety checks. > Secure loose carpets. > Take part in an exercise program to improve balance, walking and mohility.
FOOTCARE ADVICE
Keeping your feet healthy is essential for preventing falls. Tips for maintaining healthy feet are :
> Wash daily with warm soapy water. Make sure you dry your feet properly. > Trim your nails regularly in a gentle curve across the top. > If you are prone to dry skin on your feet, rub in an emollient cream such as E45. > Wear socks or stockings and change them daily. > Always wear well fitting shoes for support and comfort. > Choose shoes with a high instep, heel of 1 inch and with lace of Velcro fastening.
Most chiropodists and podiatrist make home visits if you are unable to visit them in their work place.
EYECARE ADVICE
Good, clear eyesight is also essential for preventing falls. Have your eyes checked regularly and wear your glasses to lower your risk of falling
Sight tests are free to everyone.
Your optician may be able to make a home visit for you if you are unable to visit him in his work place.
HEALTHY BONES ADVICE
Throughout our lives our bones change. Every 7 to 10 years our skeleton is completely replaced by new bone growth. As we get older our bones get weaker and as a result can break, or fracture more easily. We also lose bone at a faster rate then we regrow it. This can lead to a condition known as osteoporosis.
1 in 3 women and 1 in 12 men over 50 will suffer a broken bone as a result of osteoporosis. The bones most affected are the hip, spine and wrists.
Some simple tips to help prevent broken bones are :
> Avoid falls > Eat a balanced diet with sufficient calcium and vitamin D. > Take regular weight-bearing exercise.
INTEGRATED CARE TEAM SERVICES
The Integrated Care Team (ICT) is a rapid response team which was set up to offer short term assistance with patients during an acute period of illness, e.g. chest infection, urinary tract infection, reduced mobility, etc. It is a joint health & social care team and is multi-disciplinary with members from: Occupational therapy Physiotherapy, Nursing, Social Work, Telecare Worker, Technical &. Rehab Assistants, Discharge Co-ordinator and Administrative Support
We can only provide this service if both you and Health professionals involved in your care agree. The team works closely with GPs, District Nurses, Social Work and Hospital staff as required.
The main aims of ICT is to :
• Maintain people at home during a short- term illness • Prevent unnecessary hospital admission. • Support hospital discharges
22 • Regularly review patient's condition, assessing the level of service required to help them resume their usual capabilities as soon as possible.
There is no charge for the Integrated Care Team service (or additional charge if already paying for home care services.)
If you normally receive home care services, normal levels of service will be resumed as soon as you are able, or perhaps you will need to increase your usual service for a longer period. If so, this can be arranged by us through your mainline social work office. If you have not received home care, prior to this period, and still need additional help when these first few days (the acute phase) are over; we can arrange an assessment through the mainline social work office, who can provide ongoing home care service. This may involve a charge. This will be discussed with you when a care plan is agreed for your future & on going needs. If you agree we can arrange a benefits check to ensure your income is maximised and you are receiving all entitlements.
During the period of care it may be necessary to provide you with some equipment. Individual assessment will be carried out by a team member to ensure the correct equipment is supplied. Equipment may include: Walking aids (Sticks/frames etc) Bathing equipment Toileting equipment Pressure relieving equipment Chair & bed transfer aids Grabrails Telecare equipment This equipment will remain on loan to you for as long as is necessary.
Social Service Department, Campbeltown 01586 552659. Out of hours contact NHS 24 : 0845 24 24 24.
Weekends - District Nursing Service Tel : 01586 555802 (9.00am - 4.00pm)
For further information, complaints or suggestions, please contact: Louise Burke, Team Leader, Clinical Nurse Specialist (Older People) Tel : 01586 555852
KINTYRE STROKE CLUB
'Kintyre Stroke Club' was formed in the early summer of 2006. The club is available to all who have had a stroke and their family. People who may have other disorders that have similar side effects to stroke are welcome also.
The purpose of the club is to aid in the rehabilitation and to improve and maintain progress, thereby improving the quality of their daily lives. We do this by providing interactive social contact and a chance to meet other people who have had a stroke. Club members include community voluntary and social care workers, and also nurses from the Older Peoples' Service. The stroke link nurse is available at group meetings for any problems or concerns you may have. This will be confidential in nature.
The club may have regular outings for lunch to local hotels at which spouses and partners are welcome. We plan at least one longer outing a year, outwith our immediate geographical area. These outings are optional and members should not feel obliged to attend.
The club usually meets every second Tuesday at the drop in centre at Hazelburn Business Park in Campbeltown from l-3pm. Sandwiches, tea and coffee are available for a small fee if wanted. We normally take a short break in the Christmas/New Year holidays and also Easter. We have a 5-6 week break during July/August. Letters are sent out with meeting dates in advance.
Transport is available to those who have difficulty in getting to the centre. Transport is provided by the British Red Cross. A small donation for this service would be appreciated.
COMMUTER BUS SUCCESS
Following the publication of the Council’s story about the success of the Campbeltown to Kilmory workers bus scheme in The Antler last month, and questions raised about its future if it is subjected to the same criteria as some rural routes, the Council has published figures for what is described as ‘Expenditure On Experimental Rural Transport Services and Enhanced Demand Responsive Services 2008 - 2009’.
23 MID ARGYLL, KINTYRE AND ISLAY £
Islay SummerSunday bus services 10,606.00 Islayand Jura FerryRequest Sailings 5,000.00 Kintyre Friday and Saturday Evening Services * 9,245.00 Lochgilphead and Campbeltown Tuesday Service 2,340.41 Inverarayand Lochgilphead CommuterService 33,005.76 Campbeltown and Sound of Kintyre Enhanced Service 29,317.43 Campbeltown Ring 'n 'Ride (Partially funded by special grant) 8,580.36 Lochgilphead Enhancementto Local Bus Service 10,088.23 MidArgyll TransportVolunteers 1,000.00 Jura Thursdaynight bus service to Bowmore 6,500.00 Contributionto JuraFast Ferry project 10,000.00 Crinan - Lochgilphead Connecting buses for Jura Fast Ferry 7,500.00 Lochgilphead - Campbeltown - Lochgilphead Commuter Buses 48,890.98 Sub Total £182,074.17
* Service originally recommended for withdrawal but reinstated by decision of The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay Area Committee on 5th December 2007.
The Kintyre Friday and Saturday Evening Services refers to bus provision in the Campbeltown and Southend areas . Ed.
A British Red Cross Transport and Escort Service operates from South Kintyre up to Appin and includes Mid Argyll, Mull, Islay and Jura. It offers transport to those in need using Red Cross vehicles plus volunteer drivers using their own vehicles and carries out social, medical or recreational journeys. It has been operating since 2004 and currently receives £66,045 a year for 2008/9 and the same for 2009/10.
‘ARK TO THE PLANNERS
In the year 2008 The Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in the U.K. and said 'Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save two of every living thing along with a few good humans'.
He gave Noah the CAD drawings, saying 'You have 6 months to build The Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights'.
Six months later The Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard, but no Ark. 'Noah !' He roared, 'I'm about to start the rain ! Where is The Ark ?'
'Forgive me, Lord,' begged Noah, 'but things have changed. I needed Building Regulations Approval and I've been arguing with the Fire Brigade about the need for a sprinkler system. My neighbours claim that I should have obtained planning permission for building The Ark in my garden because it is development of the site, even though in my view it is a temporary structure. We had to then go to appeal to The House of Lords for a decision.
'Then The Department of Transport demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions to clear the passage for The Ark's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it. Getting the wood was another problem, all the decent trees have Tree Preservation Orders on them and we live in a Site of Special Scientific Interest set up in order to protect the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go !
'When I started gathering the animals, the RSPCA sued me. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodation was too restrictive and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space. Then the County Council, the Environment Agency and the Rivers Authority ruled that I couldn't build The Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood.
'I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Equal Opportunities Commission on how many disabled carpenters I'm supposed to hire for my building team. The trades unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only accredited workers with Ark-building experience. To make matters worse, Customs and Excise seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species. So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark'. 24 Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine and a rainbow stretched across the sky. Noah looked up in wonder and asked, 'You mean you're not going to destroy the world ?' 'No,' said The Lord. 'The British government beat me to it' !
Sent in by Donald Kelly, from an undisclosed source.
EVA AT ABBEYFIELD
The residents and staff at Abbeyfield, Carradale, recently enjoyed a talk by Eva MacDonald, MBE, followed by the showing of a video. Eva, who is a relief Community Nurse at Carradale, spoke of her nursing career and the voluntary work she had done over the years, and described her day at Buckingham Palace when she received her MBE. The day at the Palace was filmed, and the residents and staff enjoyed watching the video of this special day. Janette McKinnon, Housekeeper, thanked Eva for coming to Carradale to deliver the presentation.
IRRESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERS FINED
Two dog owners in Oban have been fined after allowing their dogs to foul in a public area and failing to clean up after them. Argyll and Bute Council’s Environmental Warden issued a fixed penalty of £40 to both dog owners in two seperate events last month.
Councillor Duncan MacIntyre, chairperson of The Oban, Lorne and the Isles Area Committee, said: "The Council's wardens will continue to be pro-active in Oban to try and stamp out this shocking display of poor practice by some dog owners. While most dog owners are responsible people, we still have the few who are not responding to this message." Issued by Aileen Maclennan on 11/04/2008 10:19:58
THE TIMES, THEY ARE A’CHANGING THE TIMES REPORTER, KATE MUIR, ENJOYS ARGYLL
Yet again Donald Kelly comes up with something which caught his eye and should have Visit Scotland dancing in the aisles. It comes from ‘The Times’ of Saturday April 5th and was entitled ‘The Dark Ages’.
Kate starts off by suggesting that the Scottish Citylink Glasgow to Campbeltown bus route is possibly the most beautiful commercial bus route in the world and then dives into more familiar territory by commenting on the weather - ‘Usually it’s raining stair rods and the loch-side is reduced to foggy moving porridge, but this morning, it’s mostly sunny. Suddenly our recalcitrant driver develops a character and finds the microphone: “Hello, I’m Jim and you’re stuck with me all the way to Campbeltown.” Well, I expected the driver to keep driving, but what Jim means is that his prose poem is about to commence.’
She finds out that Jim used to drive tourist coaches, and he says that he just can’t help himself on the local, normally silent route. “I looked in my mirror one day a couple of months ago and saw these sad, bored faces behind me and I found I’d started talking.”
Jim continues “It’s a lovely country, but you just can’t guarantee the weather, can you ? Sorry we’re a wee bit late. Have youse been watching River City ?” Kate said that the Japanese tourists looked very puzzled and as this would not happen on a bullet train. the passengers are silent. Jim undaunted continues. “Yeah, I just can’t get into it myself. See that big black cloud over there ? Remember last April how there was a big cloud like that and it rained for two months ?” Kate confirms that people are nodding in agreement now, and continues -
‘As we zoom along the Clyde estuary, Jim is on a constant look-out for celebrity connections. “See that garage there? Jackie Stewart the racing driver used to own it.” A woman looks up from her Khaled Hosseini book and sighs. “Now there’s Helensburgh, a town on the River Clyde that two famous people came from! The man who invented telly, John Logie Baird, and Deborah Kerr, who starred in The King and I with Yul Brynner – remember he died ?”
‘The passengers up front are nodding animatedly. “Oh and here’s the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, our largest freshwater loch.” The Poles with small babies, who have just moved to new lives here in another cold, slightly grey country, perk up. Down there, says Jim, “is the old paddle steamer Maid of the Loch – made on the Clyde, brought up here in sections, and launched by Our Present Day Queen”.
‘Now we’re got a royal connection, Jim has the full attention of the bus. The last hold-out in the captive audience, a woman reading James Herbert’s The Secret of Crickley Hall, lowers her book. “Now we’re coming up to the wee village of Luss, said to be
25 prettiest small village in Scotland. Noel Edmonds came on holiday and liked it so much he got married there !”.
‘Noel Edmonds and the Queen ! All this for £14.20 single, for 100 miles and three hours of thrills, I think. Oh, now we’re going by the “very exclusive Lomond Castle hotel where lots of the film stars stay” – and to think that when I’m driving this road, all of this passes me by. But Jim has opened my eyes to the roiling world beneath the beautiful scenery where they filmed Take the High Road, and Inchmurrin island: “A mile and a half long and quite popular for weddings.” He also gives the height on Ben Lomond – 3,102ft and gloriously snow-capped’.
‘If only more people made their jobs fun and our journeys worthwhile, although I suppose there could be raconteurs less brilliant than Jim. “Anywan [anyone] smoke here ?” A passenger cautiously raises a hand. “Only wan confession ?” says Jim, eyeing the busload suspiciously. “Anyway, there’ll be a 15-minute smoke break at Inveraray”.’
‘As we head up the pass into the Highlands, a sheep stands dazed in front of the bus. Jim says: “Sheep can read, you know. When I used to drive for this other coach company, Shearings, they used to run away when they saw the sign”.’
‘Before Inveraray Castle, Jim explains: “If the Duke of Argyll is in, the flag is up and as we go over this humpbacked bridge we’ll get a view of the castle and, Yes ! The flag is up ! The duke is in !” We all feel like clapping’.
‘Meanwhile a woman is on her mobile to Caledonian MacBrayne: “Hello dear, yes, would you mind holding the ferry for us ? Yes, there are four of us, the bus is a bit late. Oh lovely, see you in a wee while then.” Yes, this is a world where the word of one little old lady can hold back a huge car ferry to Islay and your bus driver is your best friend. It’s worth remembering these moments, in places where people still communicate, when you’re under someone’s sweaty armpit in a packed and deadly silent Tube train’.
Apologies to those who read the article in the flesh. I wrote to Kate at ‘The Times’ Newspaper to obtain permission to reproduce the article but she replied that the copyright for complete reproduction lies with 'The Times' who might well wish to make an appropriate charge, but she thought that sections of the article could be included in The Antler as a boost to the tourist industry in Argyll. Ed.
BEVAN BOYS MEDAL
John Paterson, 'Drumfearne', retired baker. Only last week received his ' BEVAN BOYS MEDAL ' which he had to apply for, this was in recognition of him being conscripted during WW II into the mines. I'd say worth an ANTLER interview and photo.
He's a quiet soft spoken shy sort of a man, you will have been chatting to him in the past and know his quiet ways anyway, I've been on to him about getting the medal since first I heard about it and today in church he was smiling fine to me when he told me that he had at last received his medal. All the best. Duncan.
RNLI BONUS BALL
I would like to thank everyone who ‘plays’ every week, some even leave cheques when they go on holiday ! Special thanks to Semple’s, The Glen and my stand-in Janita. Without their help £1,094 raised in the last year would not have been possible. Maureen Owen.
26