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| Frontpage Voice for Arran 2nd September 2010 | Visitors |
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Fri 03 Sep 2010 13:54:34 BST |
Editorial
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Don Paterson, guitarist and poet, stars in Arran Festival 
The McLellan festival kicks off in the Ormidale Glasshouse this Saturday, 4th September, with an ‘Arran and Beyond’ session starring – there is no other word for what he does – the astonishing poet and jazz guitarist, Don Paterson. He has published seven books of poetry and has won the Forward Prize (twice), the Whitbread Poetry Prize, the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Award, and the T S Eliot Prize (twice). He received the OBE in 2008 and the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry in 2010 – and yet, despite all this honour and glory, he is totally un-stuffy, direct and often very funny. He will read some of his poems, (as will some local poets), and is happy to play his guitar, assisted (or hindered) by the Jazz Café Band, who have been prised out of Whiting Bay for the occasion. The evening starts at 7.30pm and is free. You are advised to get there early, as it will probably be packed.
On the same afternoon, from 2.30 to 4.30pm in the Brodick library room, Don will be running a poetry seminar. He is happy to answer questions and get into discussion about both reading and writing poetry. This is a marvellous opportunity to get some down-to-earth insights from a poet who is at the pinnacle of British poetry. Admission £5
The Festival will then be running master classes for the group of talented opera students from the Royal Northern College of Music, brought here by Peter Wilson, who lectures at the College while not at his house in Corrie. The students in turn will be entertaining Arran audiences. This Sunday, 5th September at 7.00pm, they will be adding their voices to a service in Corrie Church, with McLellan readings from John Sillars.
Don’t miss the Blockbuster Opera Gala next Friday 10th September, at 8.00pm in the Arran Community Theatre, Lamlash. These brilliant young singers will give us an evening to remember of opera highlights, including well-known arias from Pearl Fishers, La Boheme, Rigoletto, Don Giovanni and other favourites. Without any doubt, they are of the quality that will mature into international stars, and the chance to hear them now is not to be missed. Years later, you will be wowing people by saying, ‘I heard her (or him) on Arran, you know. Back in 2010.’ And they will be staggered. The cost for this treat is a modest £8.50 (£5.00 for people of school age) including a glass of wine or soft drink. Tickets from Book and Card or at the door.
The festival ends on Saturday 11th September with a performance of Handel’s enduring masterpiece, Messiah. This is In celebration of Brodick Church Centenary, so it takes place in Brodick Church at 7.30pm. Soloists from the Royal Northern College of Music take the lead parts, and 50 Arran singers are joining the chorus. Conducted by Stuart McIntyre. Tickets £5.00 see www.mclellanartsfestival.co.uk
The day after that, if you are not exhausted, sees Man On Wire being screened at the Corrie Film Club. Full details about that next week. see www.arranart.com/corriefilmclub.html
Harp, flute and cello for Music Society concert
On Saturday 18th September you can hear a wonderful combination of harp, flute and cello, playing in Lamlash Church for the Arran Music Society’s first concert of the season. The church is not their usual venue, but it’s the perfect setting for this gentle, tuneful music.
The Rhona Mackay Trio bridges any possible gap between classical music and the folk repertoire, for their flautist is none other than the renowned Eddie McGuire. He is one of the best-known composers working in Scotland today and is revered by folkies world-wide as the founder of the matchless Whistlebinkies. More details next week. Meanwhile, make a note in your diary. The concert starts at 7.30pm.
Tickets available at the door or from Inspirations of Arran. You can take advantage of a season ticket that gives you an excellent bargain price for the whole season.
Looking At Light
An exhibition of large new seascape paintings by Janet Inglis opens in Corrie and Sannox village hall on Friday 3rd Sept and continues till Monday 6th, 11.00am to 6.00pm. There is a continuous line of development from previous work but these paintings embark on new areas of subtlety and intrigue producing rich but subdued imagery rendering distant, suggested land through veils of reflected light, sometimes with a suggestion of foreground vegetation or active sea.
Arran High School Wall Plaques
by Julie Cannon
Anyone interested in celebrating their attendance at the old Arran High School building which was demolished when the new school was built can purchase their name to be included in wall plaques which are displayed within the new school alongside a large framed photograph of the old school. Anyone interested should forward their name to the school office along with a cheque or cash payment of £10 per name. Cheques made payable to Arran High school Parent Council. This is an ideal gift if you are looking for an unusual gift for the person who has everything or just wants a name added to posterity!
At the end of October the price of the names will be increased to £20 per name, due to an increase in production costs.... so grab yourself a bargain now for an early Christmas present.
Arran Community Council says goodbye to Campbell
At its meeting on Tuesday of this week, members of the Community Council said a regretful goodbye to Campbell Laing, who has been their Chair since he took over from Sheila Gilmore ten years ago. He was thanked most sincerely for his long years of unflagging work. All members of ACC are now up for re-election.
The Secretary reported a letter from Magnox North, proposing that spent graphite should be stored at Hunterston in ‘near surface’ pits. Magnox also suggested that similar material should be brought in from other nuclear sites for storage. Cllr Margie Currie said North Ayrshire Council were opposed to this, and the ACC secretary will write to support them in their stand on the question.
John Inglis had been to a housing exhibition in Inverness, and was struck by the innovative designs and materials displayed. Cllr Currie said NAC were now far more open to fresh thinking on house design, and were no longer opposed to such things as turf roofs. She said applicants should bear this new approach in mind when submitting planning proposals.
The minutes of last month’s meeting were agreed as a true record. They appear in full by clicking here
Howard Wood of COAST featured in the BBC 1 TV programme Panorama this week when he was interviewed about the No Take Zone that COAST managed to establish in Lamlash Bay. The programme, titled ‘Our Vanishing Wildlife’, showed appalling footage of the heavy scallop-dredging gear being dragged over the sea-bed, leaving behind a derelict mess of broken shells and shattered weed and rock where nothing could live. Underwater photography of Lamlash Bay since the COAST initiative shows how it is starting to regenerate. Marine plants are growing again, and living creatures move among the rocks, including crabs and small fish and scallops themselves, moving around in their curious, hopping dance. The programme cited Cardigan Bay, in Wales, as a good example of controlled fishing, where anglers were in balance with the sea’s life and bottle-nosed dolphins were beginning to thrive again.
To see more pictures taken by Coast see here http://picasaweb.google.com/arrancoast/SurveyDivePhotos2010?feat=directlink#
COAST to run major event in October
COAST, in association with University of West of England (UWE) is organising a Symposium on sustainability, to run from 22-24 October 2010 at The Outdoor Centre in Lamlash.
20 high-level participants have already signed up, including Callum Roberts of University of York, and representatives from the Scottish Association of Marine Science, wildlife trusts, the Pew Trust from Brussels and several community organisations from west Scotland. Tom Appleby of the UWE has been busy contacting and inviting speakers.
In an introduction to the monthly newsletter, Sallly Campbell says COAST has had a very hectic summer. Howard Wood was working 12 hours a day for 8 weeks with Leigh Howarth and some wonderful volunteer boatmen, especially Angus Robson. The team did 42 surveys in over 115 individual dives, getting some excellent data, much of which added a valuable impact to the Panorama programme. 
That involved a lot of work with the German TV company, both in filming Leigh and dissecting scallops and going out to film Howard and Leigh emerging from the depths! Then there was the task of collecting signatures for the petition against the 3 mile limit and applying for Charitable status, not to mention the useful attendance at Open Day on Holy Isle. If anyone would like to join COAST and learn about how to take an active part in defending the principle of a clean, healthy marine environment, they will be delighted to hear from you.
Sally comments that the Newsletter has been a great success story for COAST- thanks to Zabdi Keen and to Nick Underdown, ‘who has done a magnificent job.’ Nick was married last Saturday, and everyone at Voice for Arran would like to send him warmest congratulations and best wishes
Sally
To see the latest Coast newsletter click here
Link to a paper by the University of York environmental department entitled : Ecological Melt down in theFirth of Clyde,Scotland:TwoCenturies of Change in a Coastal Marine Ecosystem
The Flying Bakers in Corriecravie
by Assja Baumgärtner
I was happily working at this week's Voice when a flurry of movement outside the window caught my eye. A flock of bleating sheep hurried across the field, moving away from a large shadow which turned out to be a bright yellow paraglider attempting to land on the meadow. I rushed out with the camera. A joyful whooping announced that the next parachute had taken off, and a few minutes later Zabdi Keen had safely ‘tandemed’ down young Reece Baker, who had thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
The four Bakers, Michael, James, Terence and Reece, have been paragliding for the last three years. They started in the Pyrenees in France, and are spending this week under Zabdi's experienced tutelage, practising the subtle manoeuvring of a paraglider all over Arran's hills. While the elder Bakers can fly on their own, 11 year old Reece will have to be content with tandem flights since he has to wait until he is fourteen to learn solo flying. Asked if it isn’t a bit scary to jump off a mountain like in France, an older Baker said, ‘You worry a bit when you look down and realise how high it is, but once you have stepped over the edge it is just breathtakingly beautiful!’ click here to see more of Assja pictures
Good Night – Sleep Tight!
By Assja Baumgärtner
Unfortunately this is wishful thinking for more than a third of the population who instead toss and turn in their beds. For 10 % the experience will turn into chronic insomnia and they will need medical help. Reasons for being sleepless may be stress, anxiety, physical pain, medication, the overuse of stimulants such as alcohol and nicotine, noise, light or shift work which disrupts the natural biorhythm. Women are more likely to suffer from insomnia than men.
A good night's rest helps to slow down the ageing process and supports any efforts in losing or maintaining weight (because your hormones will not go haywire or cause cravings). It is beneficial for your memory, concentration and general work performance and can help to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. It also helps you to maintain a strong immune system, so you generally feel better and happier.
If you sometimes suffer from bouts of restlessness, try the following:
Create an ideal sleeping environment
Your bedroom should be quiet, dark (unless you fear the dark) and peaceful.
Throw out any distractions (humming machines, blinking lights, TV, mobile phones etc.)
Bedding and night clothes should be as comfortable as possible.
Keep room and body cool, as your body temperature needs to lower to make you sleepy. The ideal room temperature is between 18 and 20°C.
Bedtime routine
Just before bedtime, enjoy activities that make you feel drowsy like soothing music
or reading a relaxing, even dull book.
Avoid
alcohol at dinnertime and in the evening; it can be a stimulant
caffeine; it activates alertness and produces stress hormones for up to 8 hours after ingesting it. Drink herbal teas or milk drinks instead.
thrillers and horror in books and on TV
arguments !
Exercise
Regular exercise reduces stress and helps relaxation. It also increases your body temperature, so it is best to exercise either during the day or very early in the evening.
Relaxation Techniques
Yoga, Tai Chi, breathing exercises, visualisation and relaxation exercises with CDs are ideal just before going to bed. Meditation is a useful technique.
A warm bath
4 to 5 hours before going to bed will relax you. As your body cools down, you will start to feel drowsy. If you are lucky enough to have someone handy who will give you a relaxing massage, you will sleep like a baby.
Supportive devices
such as earplugs, eye shades and dark blinds may help. Some people swear on white-noise sound machines to block out unwanted noises.
Two exercises you can try:
Breathing exercise – Sit comfortably on a chair (or on an exercise mat with crossed legs. Let your hands rest on your thighs, palms up. Close your eyes and breathe through your nose. Be aware of your breath as it enters your body. Feel it filling your chest as your diaphragm expands, feel your belly relax outwards to allow this, then notice how it deflates as your breath slowly goes out again, leaving your chest. Do this in your own times and then start counting to 4 as you breathe in, and to 8 as you slowly let the breath out again. Do this for a few minutes, giving it your full, empty-minded attention, and you will feel relaxed and drowsy.
Counting – Not sheep! That's just irritating. Simply think of six nice things that happened during the day. They may be very simple, like a smile from a friend or something eaten and enjoyed, or hearing a bird sing. Good thoughts support good sleep.
Oriental Chicken Dish
by Assja Baumgärtner
4 chicken breast fillets or
400g turkey fillets
50ml white wine
1 tbsp mustard (preferably Dijon)
1 tbsp Soy sauce (preferably Teriyaki)
salt, pepper
dried or fresh chilli (optional)
600g mixed vegetables (a mixture of all or some of the following: small cauliflower florets, finely cut leeks, finely sliced mangetout or sugar snap peas, small carrot cubes, fine slices of peppers and courgettes and roughly sliced mushrooms)
200 ml chicken or vegetable stock (preferably reduced fat or fat free)
1 tbsp good quality oil (olive, sunflower or corn)
Mix wine, mustard, soy sauce, salt, pepper and chillies into a marinade. Slice the poultry meat into thin slices and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Meanwhile clean and chop the vegetables and bring the stock to the boil. Cook the vegetables for a few minutes until they are almost done. Drain but don't discard the liquid.
Heat the oil in a frying pan, add the meat and stir. Cook until done, stirring continuously. The chicken/turkey meat should not become brown. Add the vegetables and mix everything carefully. Add some of the stock if it is too dry and season with soy sauce, if necessary.
Serve immediately with brown rice (the cooking time for brown rice can be quite long. Therefore check the instructions on the package and start the rice early enough) and a large tossed salad.
If you like, you can toast almond slivers and sprinkle them over the dish.
The Saggies ride high
by a music lover who didn’t reveal his name
Last Thursday, 26th August, the Arran Folk Group put on a concert of blue grass numbers in Brodick Hall comprised totally of local talent. The evening was in three parts, the first being a harp duet with Mandy Hunter and friend - a quiet introduction for what was to follow.
After a brief interval Bob Hastings introduced the Saggy Bottom Boys, fronted by an art teacher, an adventure guide and a postmaster, supported by the drummer and bass guitarist. From the start, it was great fun. Jokes were directed at the audience and members of the band, who collectively played as a very mature group, giving the audience many moments of musical pleasure. During the second interval the customary raffle was held then the band struck up for another session. The quality of their music was reflected by the enthusiasm of the audience. When they announced their last number, two encores and three numbers later they managed to quit the stage.
If you have unfortunately not yet heard this band playing together, watch out for their next concert. You will not be disappointed!
A Proof of Excellence
by Assja Baumgärtner
A week ago Arran High School opened its doors for this year's award ceremony. Once again, we were impressed not only with the pupils’ extraordinary performance through the past academic year but also with the smooth professional organisation of the event. For parents, it is a proud moment to see their offspring receiving their special award or certificate, and for the young people it is a confirmation that hard work definitely has its merit.
Gavin Davidson is this year’s Dux, and for the first time, a runner up was also elected. This is Donald McEachern. Both he and Gavin reached the impressive total of 5 As. The award for attainment in S5/6 at intermediate level went to Lisa Percy, while Naomi Paul and Christian Pomeroy won medals for 
attainment in S4 examinations. John Tilbury (who in addition to all else puts together the Voice for Arran print file every week) won the Young Musician of the Year award.
The festive presentation of the awards is the result of weeks of hard work by the teaching staff. Pauline Robertson set up an extensive database, and she, together with Heather Gough and Headmaster Douglas Auld, organised the finer details. David Lambert, the new music teacher, master-minded the musical entertainment and home economics teacher Emma Morrison provided the catering with one of her senior classes. Heather Gough choreographed the evening itself, which ran beautifully smoothly, each student getting up at the right moment to join the line to receive awards and certificates set out in the right order by Christine McLeod. Flowers were presented to the Dux parents and to Maggie Wright who, to everybody's delight, not only presented the awards but also gave a wonderful and encouraging speech. With such proficiency displayed by the organising staff it is hardly surprising that so many Arran High School pupils excel in their studies.
Pictures :
- Maggie Wright and Headmaster Douglas Auld present Gavin Davidson with the award for Dux of the year.
- Young musician of the year, John Tilbury
- Heather Gough and Margaret Wright having a well deserved cuppa
Arran High School Special Awards for the Academic Year 2009/2010
Award |
Recipient |
John S Scott Award for Dux |
Gavin Davidson |
Proxime Accessit |
Donald McEachern |
Kilmarnock Trophy for Attainment in S5/6 at Int Level |
Lisa Percy |
James Watt Medal for Attainment in S4 Examinations |
Naomi Paul |
Admiral Group Trophy for S5/6 Business Education |
Dani Gill |
A R Humphreys Award for Attainment in S5 English |
Amy Gray |
Arran Dairies Hospitality Trophy |
Caitlin Watkins |
Andrew Johnston Award for Attainment in S2 Mathematics |
Sophie Corbett |
Andrew Johnston Award for Attainment in S5 Mathematics |
Michael Jenks |
Arran Society of Glasgow Endeavour Award |
Iain Logan |
Buchanan Prize for Essay Writing in S4 |
Christian Pomeroy |
Charles Russell Trophy for Attainment in Technical |
Simon Sloan |
Duais Feis Arainn Trophy |
Lois Griffin |
Golf Champion ~ First Minister’s Trophy |
Todd Jameson |
Arran Society of Glasgow JD MacKinnon Award for pupils entering Further Education or Apprenticeship |
Fiona Clarke |
Lamlash Millennium Cup for Citizenship |
Zoë Tomalin |
Majik Award for Young Enterprise |
Hannah Dobson |
Nicola McConnell Trophy for Contribution to the Music Department |
Mark Sherwood |
S1/2 Promoting Positive Behaviour first |
Alastair Innes |
Senior School Sports Champions |
Jack Barbour |
Stagecoach Trophy for Captains & Vice-Captains |
Anthony Tetlow |
Young Musician of the Year Trophy |
John Tilbury |
From Greenpeace, dangling in an oilrig
Greenpeace have just sent us an e-mail (Tuesday 31st August). It says, ‘A few moments ago, our activists evaded a massive security operation and scaled Cairn Energy's controversial oil rig off Greenland. We've stopped their deepwater drilling. After dodging Danish Navy commandos in our inflatable boats, our activists climbed up the inside of the rig and are now hanging from tents suspended from ropes.’ They promise to send more news as soon as they have any.
For live updates click here
Letter about ‘clachans’
In last week’s Voice John Inglis took issue with the Auchrannie’s use of the word, ‘clachan’. John clearly makes his point, accurately describes a traditional clachan and defines its function. However, another form of collective dwellings, known in urban areas as a ‘housing scheme’, presents a much greater threat to Arran than the misuse of the word ‘clachan’.
Unlike the clachan, the housing scheme is contrived to pack as many people as possible into a given space by constructing identical little concrete/brick boxes without regard to social, public health, environmental, amenity or aesthetic values. The planning for many of these schemes appears to have been done on the back of the proverbial cigarette packet.
While I may agree with John’s sentiments it has to be said that the Auchrannie publicists are attempting to capture a sales image, whereas housing schemes are permanent and out of place. Unfortunately for Arran it is apparent that we have an urban-focussed local authority who are, for example, prepared to countenance 24 houses jammed into a quarry while apparently ignoring their own document, ‘Design Guidance’, published in January 2009. Thus we are presented with a quick-fix perhaps best described as ‘little boxes made of ticky-tacky … and they all look just the same.’ (Remember Pete Seeger?)
Perhaps now is the time to let Arran’s young architects produce designs that marry with our heritage and landscape.
Ian McCallum,
Whiting Bay
Black landings
In stark contrast to the above items, six trawlermen from Shetland have been convicted of illegally catching £15m worth of herring and mackerel. They face unlimited fines and multi-million pound confiscation orders after admitting breaching fishing quotas designed to conserve fish stocks. The six men were caught after the fisheries agency suspected widespread and significant quota breaches. Detailed ‘forensic accounting’ uncovered significant discrepancies between the declared income for Shetland Catch and its actual income.
The six skippers from Lerwick admitted last week that they made false declarations about the true size of their catch. During nearly 200 voyages between January 2002 and March 2005, they deliberately breaching their annual fishing quotas. A long-running investigation by police and the Scottish fisheries protection agency has also resulted in the conviction of a Lerwick-based fish wholesalers, Shetland Catch Ltd, for supplying false reports about the size of the landings.
‘Black landings’, the illegal practice of deliberately catching and landing fish in excess of the permitted quota, was once widespread in Scottish ports in defiance of European conservation measures. An acceptance that quotas are necessary in order to prevent the dying-out of fish stocks has seen the practice almost completely abandoned, but Scott Pattison, director of operations with the Crown Office, Scotland's prosecution authority, said other similar investigations are under way. He went on, ‘This is not a victimless crime. The consequences of overfishing on this scale are far-reaching and the impact on fish stocks and the marine environment is potentially devastating.’
Detective superintendent Gordon Gibson of Grampian Police, who led the investigation, described the deception as ‘criminality at an extremely high level.’ European and British fisheries legislation requires skippers to make full declarations of their catch sizes, to within 80% accuracy and including the species of fish caught, within 48 hours of landing their catch in port.
Precise details about the scale of the illegal landings by the six men, sharing three trawlers, were released after the hearing at the high court in Glasgow. They are as follows:
Robert John Polson, 47, made 46 ‘black’ landings worth £3,682,000 and David Kay Hutchison, 64, made 49 landings worth £3,698,433, from the vessel Charisma. Thomas Sutherland Eunson, 55, made 18 illegal landings worth £1,457,243, and Allen Magnus Anderson, 44, made 4 undeclared landings valued at £442,168 from the trawler Serene. John Arthur Irvine, 66, made 56 landings worth £3,658,981 and Allister Irvine, 61, made 25 landings worth £1,828,981 from the Zephyr.
All six men are due to be sentenced in November, when they face unlimited fines. The Crown Office is pursuing a confiscation order under proceeds of crime legislation of up to £15m against all the accused, and their quotas of mackerel and herring will be drastically reduced between 2007 and 2012.
Australia saves the Carrick
photographs by Donald MacLeod
Last Saturday, 28th August, Fiona Hyslop, Minister for Culture and External Affairs, announced that an Australian rescue group has been chosen to secure the future of the historic clipper ship, SV City of Adelaide, better known to most Scots as the Carrick. For many months, it had been feared that the near-derelict old ship, which has lain on a slipway in Irvine for over a decade, would have to be broken up, but her long association with Australia has proved to be her salvation.
A group in Sunderland, where the vessel was built, had also made a proposal to take on rescue work, but the Australian group formed for the purpose and called The Clipper Ship, City of Adelaide, has turned out to be the preferred bidder. There is a historic rightness about this, as the old clipper sailed for many years between Scotland and Adelaide. As Ms Hyslop said: ‘The City of Adelaide has an illustrious past shared by two nations, Scotland and Australia.’ However, it was beginning to seem that ‘managed deconstruction’ was the only practical solution. The plan now is to save the ship and build on the link between the two countries ‘to share the vessel’s historical, cultural and social significance through tourism, interpretation and education.’ It is hoped that the ship will arrive in Adelaide in time for South Australia’s ‘Jubilee Year’ in 2011, celebrating the 175th anniversary of the State. 
North Ayrshire Council Provost, Pat McPhee, said: ‘I have watched how hard the team has worked over the last few years and greatly welcome today’s announcement for them and the vessel. I am originally from Glasgow and the vessel was such an important part of my youth and I wish her the best of luck.’
Rosemary McKay of the City of Adelaide Preservation Trust, who is currently visiting the Maritime Museum, said: ‘I am ecstatic about today’s announcement. There is now a lot of hard work ahead and the Australian team will need a lot of support. The main aim has always been to save the ship. Now she will be going home Port Adelaide, where she belongs.’
The City of Adelaide (known as HMS Carrick during her Royal Navy term) is an A listed 19th Century ship, currently dry berthed at Irvine Harbour and owned by the Scottish Maritime Museum. The 176ft passenger and cargo vessel was built in Sunderland in 1864. Apart from the Cutty Sark, which will have to be completely restored after a disastrous fire, she is the only surviving clipper ship in the world.
Landmark legal win for the Marine Conservation Society
Until now, it has been virtually impossible for ordinary British citizens to bring a case on an environmental matter to court, because of the high financial risk involved. This became starkly obvious after the Port of Tyne Authority dumped 66,000 tonnes of highly toxic dredge material into the sea near Sunderland. The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) and ClientEarth could not challenge this dumping operation in court without risking financial ruin. They contended that the government had not properly implemented the UN’s Aarhus Convention, which laid down that individuals and green organisations should be able to mount environmental court cases without fear of crippling financial cost. So they challenged the British government and the European Union in a ground-breaking legal case – and won. The government will now have to introduce a clear, transparent and consistent framework to implement the Aarhus Convention, allowing rich and poor alike proper access to justice in the environment
Housing Benefit cuts will affect most vulnerable people, Katy Clark warns …
Katy Clark, MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, has warned that the Governments plans to cut £1.8bn from housing benefit payments will have a huge impact. 97% of UK households reliant on Local Housing Allowance will be affected, with claimants in Scotland losing on average £10 per week.
Katy said, ‘There is a real shortage of public sector housing, which pushes people into private lets that they cannot afford. If these tenants lose on average £520 per year then it is inevitable that some will fall into rent arrears and eventually face the prospects of homelessness. The Government must rethink this decision.’
… and can you spare a fiver for Pakistan flood victims?
Katy says, ‘The response by people across Britain to the floods in Pakistan has been incredible, and I am proud that thousands of local people in North Ayrshire and Arran have joined the ever-growing numbers doing their bit for the nearly 20 million people affected by this terrible disaster. This crisis is sadly unfolding in deadly slow motion with the floods still spreading and a real risk of water-borne diseases now affecting millions of women, men and children. I would therefore urge anyone who hasn’t already done so to consider donating to the DEC appeal. You can make a donation in all the usual ways, such as calling 0370 60 60 900 – and even donate £5 by texting the word GIVE to 70707.
MSP’s objections to the Hunterston coal-fired proposal
Kenneth Gibson MSP sends us a copy of his letter to the Scottish Energy Consents Unit with itemised reasons why he regards the idea of a coal-fired power station at Hunterston as unacceptable.
The Consents Unit has received almost 16,000 objections. Both SEPA and NAC are confronted by a mass of public opinion, and have been given more time to consider the situation. SEPA will be brooding on it until November and North Ayrshire until January. This means the way is now open to add further opinions if you wish, from now until early in the new year.
Mr Gibson’s letter follows.
Scottish Energy Consents Unit
4th Floor
5 Atlantic Quay
160 Broomielaw
Glasgow
G2 8LU
Dear Sir/Madam,
The Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2000; Response to the Section 36 Application for the Proposed Hunterston Multi-Fuelled Power Station, Hunterston, North Ayrshire
I wish to object to the above, as the plans stand, on these grounds:
- Is the Development Needed?
- Environmental Statement Flaws.
- No evidence that Carbon Capture and Storage on such a scale will work. The plant may be decommissioned early if CCS is not proven, thus an environmental impact assessment of decommissioning should be undertaken now.
- APL has not properly assessed the market for bulk materials and ash lagoons will almost certainly be required.
- Biomass is not a long-term solution to reducing carbon emissions.
- Landfilling of gypsum should be further considered in the environmental statement.
- The proposal goes against Scottish Government climate change policy.
- There is insufficient monitoring of ammonia.
- CO2 transport and storage difficulties.
- APL does not commit to using low-sulphur coal for minimising the release of sulphur dioxide.
- The destruction of much of the Southannan Sands.
- The environmental effects of thermal discharge have not been properly assessed.
- The proposed development would have a detrimental effect on wildlife, particularly birds.
- The proposed development would place significant strain on the road and rail networks.
- Recreational divers would be affected by underwater noise.
- Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park’s designations were not recognised by the applicant, nor considered in the analysis of visual intrusion to the park There is also concern regarding the potential impact of nitrogen and sulphur dioxide.
- The public would lose access to the shore.
- The economic benefits to local communities are overstated and the overall impact would be detrimental.
- The Scottish Government should support Scottish companies in developing CCS.
- Better alternatives are available, such as proposals from Scottish & Southern Energy.
- The proposed development’s proximity to Hunterston B nuclear power station is concerning.
- APL has no previous experience in developing or managing projects of this nature.
- APL did not consider two fault lines running near the proposed site
- The application is quite slipshod in parts revealing APL a lack of professionalism, care and due diligence.
- Members of the Scottish Parliament, including myself voted against this proposal.
- The level of public consultation has been inadequate.
- The increased noise levels from the proposed development are unacceptable.
- The impact of an upgraded jetty structure was not assessed.
- (APL does not consider ballast water even though there is a likelihood materials will be sent off-site through shipping movements.
- Air quality may be compromised.
- Planning conditions in the past have not been adhered to by the applicant’s sister company.
- Safety issues involving hazardous materials.
- The Marine construction yard should not be included in the application.
- Local communities and the environment will not benefit from waste heat generated.
- No planning gain has been proposed for nearby communities.
I ask that the above objections are taken into consideration in determining the status of the above proposal.
Yours sincerely,
Kenneth J Gibson MSP
Cunninghame North
Enc.
The enclosures comprise a long report, click here to read it all. If you are considering an objection, you will find it extremely useful – and the list of spelling mistakes spotted in the original planning application has a certain grim humour about it.
Labour Party selects Allan Wilson
Mr Wilson said, ‘I am delighted to have been selected as Labour's candidate for Cunninghame North at the Scottish Parliament elections and I am grateful for the support and encouragement shown by local party members. For eight years it was an honour to represent Cunninghame North and it would be a privilege to do so again.
By Anne Adams
Savoury Fish Cheesecake
Ingredients
455g (1lb) smoked haddock fillets sliced.
285g (10oz) courgettes, grated.
2x5ml spoon (2 teaspoons) salt.
4x15ml spoon (4 tablespoons) vegetable oil.
145g (5oz) carrots grated.
145g (5oz) onions, finely chopped.
4 cloves garlic, crushed.
2x15ml spoon (2 tablespoons) fresh chopped basil.
2x15ml spoon (2 tablespoons) fresh chopped oregano.
2x15ml spoon (2 tablespoons) fresh chopped thyme.
2x15ml spoon (2 tablespoons) flour
1x15ml spoon (1 tablespoon) lemon juice.
55g (2oz) Parmesan cheese.
455g (1lb) Ricotta cheese .
Basil to garnish.
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 190C/375F, Gas Mark 5.
2. Place the courgettes into a colander over a bowl. Sprinkle with salt and leave to stand for 15minutes. Rinse and squeeze out any moisture.
3. Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the courgettes, carrots, onion, garlic and herbs and cook for 2 minutes. Add the fish, flour and lemon juice and cook for a further 5 minutes.
4. Combine the cheeses in a large bowl and add the fish mixture. Mix together.
5. Spoon evenly into a large greased tin, bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and set. Cut into wedges and serve garnished with basil.
6. Tip: This can be made as individual cheesecakes and served as a starter.
Golf Scores
Lamlash Golf Club
Jim Henderson
Thursday 26th August:
Seniors medal: from box tees c.s.s. 64, 8 competed.
First Ian Grant 84-21-63, 2nd Peter MacKay 85-19-66
One magic 2 from E.I.Cannon
Summer Cup: c.s.s. 65, 32 competed in excellent weather conditions.
Four magic 2's from J.Murchie, N.Young, N.McIntyre and I.Bremner.
Scratch - Jamie Murchie with 62.
First J.Murchie 62-2-60, 2nd Ian Murchie 65-4-61, 3rd S.Cambell 70-7-63, 4th G.Boyle 82-18-64.
Saturday 28th August:
A.G.A. Ken Western Greensome at Shiskine: congratulations to Ian Murchie & Todd Jameson for winning the scratch trophy.
Sunday 29th August:
Final of the Hastings Cup: only 9 played in excellent conditions with a stiff breeze, c.s.s 65.
One magic 2 from Ian Murchie, Scratch - Ian Murchie with a 67.
First I.Murchie 67-4-63, 2nd Lee Girbow 71-6-65.
Winner of the Hastings Cup: Lee Girbow 68+65= 33, runner up: Drew Wales 66+71=137.
Fixtures:
Every Thursday: Seniors and summer cup arranging times with starter.
Also Commando Cup, white tees.
Thursday 2nd September: Autumn A.G.A. meeting in Brodick G.C. at 2030 hrs.
Saturday 4th September: Final of the Hamilton Bowl at 0930 & 1300 hrs.
Sunday 5th September: A.G.A Autumn Handicap at Lamlash.
Whiting Bay Golf Club
John Pennycott
Wednesday 25th August: 26 played in the latest round of the Summer Trophy, SSS-63, CSS-63. There are another 3 rounds still available with the best 6 round scores to count.
Improving his chances this week was Jamie MacPherson with a super round (5)59. 2nd was Ronnie Mann (10)61 BIH, 3rd John Pennycott (11)61 and 4th Gus MacLeod (10)63.
Jamie MacPherson also won scratch with 64 and there were 6 magic 2s, two each for Frazer Barr and Jamie MacPherson and one each for Gus MacLeod and Gordon Provan.
Sunday 29th August:
Only 12 players braved the VERY blustery winds for the Gents' Medal. Scoring was very tricky with only half of the field returning a score and causing the CSS to rise 2 strokes to 65.
1st John Pennycott (11)64, 2nd Dave Hackett (16)68, 3rd Keith Kelsall (20)71.
Jamie MacPherson had the only Magic 2 of the day and John Pennycott won scratch with 75.
Fixtures:
Sunday 5th September: AGA Autumn Handicap at Lamlash.
Wednesday 8th September: Summer Trophy.
Massive fish kill raises new concerns about oil …
We are increasingly told that the BP oil spill has been dispersed or has simply gone away through the benevolent effect of Mother Nature, but new doubts have arisen. On Aug. 22, a huge fish kill was reported at the mouth of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet.
Craig Taffaro, president of the St. Bernard Parish area, told reporters, ‘There were thousands - and I'm talking about 5,000 to 15,000 – of dead fish.’ Dr. Ed Cake, a marine biologist and oceanographer, said the kill was ‘75 percent likely due to hypoxic conditions, not enough oxygen in the water to sustain life.’ Because both bottom-dwelling fish and crab and fish from the middle of the water column had been affected, Dr Cake believes the deaths were caused by oil and toxic dispersants from the BP oil disaster. He pointed out that dispersed oil ‘provides nutrients for phytoplankton, and this may have triggered a bloom of plankton, otherwise known as a red tide, and you would then have a fish kill from the red tide organisms.’
On Aug. 18, a team from Georgia Sea Grant and the University of Georgia released a report that estimates that 70 to 79 percent of the oil that gushed from the well ‘has not been recovered and remains a threat to the ecosystem’.
Google the American news site, Truthout, for all details.
Fish have been having a bad time this week. The Scottish SPCA is investigating the death of up to 6,000 farmed salmon at a fish farm in Shetland. A report by Pete Bevington on www.shetlandmarine.com says SSPCA inspectors raided Hoganess Salmon on Shetland’s west side after lorry-loads of dead fish started to arrive at the dump in Lerwick. The police, SEPA, Scottish Natural Heritage and the government agency Marine Scotland are also involved.
Hoganess Salmon is part of the Lakeland Group, which is owned by Norwegian firm Marine Farms ASA. Lakeland’s managing director Willie Liston was quoted as saying problems arose when the company was carrying out a controlled treatment for sea lice at one of its 16 cages in the area on 15 August. Between 5,000 and 6,000 fully-grown salmon, weighing an average of 3.5kg each, had died. It was, he said, ‘a gentle bath treatment’ but had resulted in ‘a higher level of mortality than we would have expected.’ The report said the cage had been enclosed in a tarpaulin and the treatment had been applied using ‘one of the latest technology workboats to look after the welfare of the fish.’
The Lakeland Group is certified by the English animal welfare charity RSPCA under its Freedom Foods label, which guarantees that animals are ‘farmed to the highest welfare standards.’
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NAC tell us that the mussels in Whiting Bay and Lamlash are still contaminated with algae Dinophysis species. Two negative results, spaced 7 days apart, are needed before anyone should contemplate eating these shellfish.
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New Appointment for Fishermen’s Mission.
John Kinsman, Marine Editor.
Paula Daly has been appointed as the new centre manager for the Fishermen’s Mission in Troon. She will be replacing Richard Fowler. Ms Daly will be supported by two Auxiliary Superintendents who will be appointed shortly, and will cover all fishing ports in Ayrshire, including the Isle of Arran.
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Duchess of Rothesay
John Kinsman, Marine Editor..jpg)
On Friday, August 27, naval dignitaries, the ship’s crew and their families gathered on the quayside at Faslane, HM Naval Base, Clyde, for the commissioning ceremony at which HMS Astute was formally accepted by the Royal Navy. The Duchess of Rothesay, who is sponsor of the ship, was guest of honour.
HMS Astute, a nuclear-powered vessel, 97 metres in length, is the UK’s most powerful attack submarine, armed with non-nuclear weapons: she is the first in a fleet of six that will replace the Trafalgar class submarines. Nuclear-powered technology means that she can circumnavigate the globe while submerged, creating oxygen from seawater as she sails and she will never need to be refueled. As the base port of all the Navy’s submarines from 2016, Faslane will be home to the whole Astute class. The Duchess told the assembled crew, ‘You are, if I may say, a great credit to the Royal Navy and to this country.’
Our picture shows the Duchess of Rothesay at Faslane Navy Base.