Isle of Barra news, archive

GUTH BHARRAIDH

BARRA NEWS

Craigston Primary School is celebrating its success in winning the local ‘Gold Oak’ title and the top prize money of Ł300 for collecting 20 Yellow Pages per pupil. Over the last seven weeks, 1,134 pupils at 21 schools across the Western Isles have taken on the Yellow Woods Challenge run by Yellow Pages working in partnership with the Woodland Trust and the Waste Aware Western Isles Team, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

The schools have been collecting old Yellow Pages directories for recycling and a total of 2.6 tonnes will now be sent to the mainland for processing into recycled paper products.

Transport Minister Nicol Stephen today gave the go-ahead for CalMac to begin work on a new Ł3 million ferry access ramp at Oban pier. The Minister approved CalMac's application for a harbour revision order which will give them the power to build a second linkspan at the pier. This will increase the pier's capacity, minimising delays and improving access to the islands. The decision follows a public local inquiry held in February into the proposals.

Mr Stephen said: "Oban is one of the west coast's busiest ports serving Coll, Colonsay, Mull, South Uist, Tiree and Barra. These islands are currently served by a single Linkspan which is due for replacement in the next few years. "Good quality ferry links are vital to our island communities which is why I have decided to give the go-ahead to a new second Linkspan. This will increase capacity and reduce congestion, particularly during the busy summer months.”

When the second Linkspan is in place, Barra can surely expect an improved timetable and Barra should be campaigning for a ferry is to be built for Tiree, Coll and Colonsay, allowing Barra to keep the Clansman plying the route that she was built to serve.

At the last round of council meetings in Stornoway over Ł100,000 of funding was approved for the football pitch in Castlebay. Ł103k has been allocated to carry out major improvements to Castlebay football pitch which will enable the grass pitch to be brought up to an acceptable standard - good news for the football team!!

Road strengthening in the Barra ward has also been allocated Ł131k, said Councillor Donald Manford. He went on to state that "I realise these are relatively modest sums in relation to the needs of our area but they will allow work to proceed on some of our most pressing concerns. It is sometimes hard to see major projects proceeding in other parts of the Islands but these schemes have been in the pipeline for a number of years. It is only by completing these projects that new schemes can be brought forward.

It is however essential that the case is made for additional sums to be made available to halt the decline in the roads condition of Barra and Vatersay and I will continue to press that case. Work on the road widening at Tangasdale is shortly to start to improve road safety."

Douglas McNaughton from Help the Aged presented Voluntary Action Barra & Vatersay with a cheque for Ł5000 which will go towards the cost of the new, low floor vehicle due to be purchased later on this summer.

The new vehicle will provide for Voluntary Action’s day and evening services for community transport to free up the existing vehicle for local groups and organisations wishing to book it on a regular basis.

While in Barra, Douglas visited Cobhair Bharraigh, the OFTTI Project, St. Barr's Hall, Northbay and met to discuss the pensioners club, so Douglas, many more funding applications are in the pipeline from Barra.

Fuday in the Sound of Barra and Sandray south of Vatersay are both on the shortlist of sites, compiled during the 1980’s as possible locations for a radioactive Waste Repository. Published under the freedom of information act, the fact that two islands north and south of Barra are on a shortlist of 11 sites UK-wide is a matter of serious concern to the local community.

On the Nirex website (http://www.nirex.co.uk/index/iold_list.htm) there are detailed papers discussing Fuday and Sandray as potential Radioactive waste storage sites. The estimated cost for each was Ł1.8billion repository cost and Ł1.1billion transport costs brings in to perspective the cost of a subsea cable to allow renewable energy to be exported from the Western Isles.

Following the death, in New Zealand, of Roddy Wright, former Bishop of Argyll and the Isles, Requiem Mass was offered in Craigston Church on Monday and will be offered in Northbay, tonight, Friday 17th June. Sympathies are extended to his family and friends following their sad loss.

For the first year ever, the Western Isles have taken part in the National Yellow Woods Competition. The Yellow Pages have now been collected from the participating schools throughout the Western Isles. All schools have done brilliantly and have managed to collect 3173 Yellow Pages for recycling, totalling 2.6 tonnes. This is about a third of all directories delivered to the Islands!

All schools have automatically been entered into the UK finals. The Western Isles stand a chance of winning something in that. Results for this won't be known until August/September time. Hopefully the schools will all participate again next year and see if even more Yellow Pages can be collected throughout the Western Isles!

Having caused total chaos with church services last week, we can now safely report that Mass this Sunday will be in Craigston Church at 11am. Transport will be available leaving Glen about 10,30am. Consideration will be given to extending the transport service to Skallary and Leanish on request.

Sensory Garden- The entire island community is shocked and saddened by the mindless vandalism of garden furniture in the Sensory Garden, Castlebay. Benches smashed up and one removed and dumped in Horve river. Please show a bit of respect for our beautiful island and the endeavours of people who genuinely care. We do not expect and certainly do not condone such a loutish behaviour.

Surgery Break In - Reports have been received that the Police are currently investigating a break -in at the Doctor’s surgery in Castlebay.

Vandalism - The accessible toilet at the Cal Mac office in Castlebay has now been closed due to the continuous assaults and damage sustained over the years.

Vandalism - The bus shelter at Castlebay pier will have to be replaced. Scraped and scratched, melted, plugged with chewing gum, this shelter is not a good introduction to the island.

Vandalism - Eoligarry toilets are now open having been repaired yet again. Any more vandalism here and they will have to be demolished

Vandalism - There are reports of up to four cars being deliberately scratched around Castlebay.

Stand up to this behaviour Report any offenders, this behaviour is not acceptable and is escalating.

Angus MacNeil, the new MP for Na h-eileanan an Iar, raised the profile of Gaelic at the Westminster parliament when he took his oath of allegiance in his native language. He then pushed the parliamentary rules as far as he could when he opened his maiden speech stating " A neach labhairt san a the e a toirt toileachas dhomsa an duigh m'oraid a thoiseachadh ann an cainnt m'oige, caint a thug m'athair dhomh is san tha mi a nis fior

Duty bound by the rules to translate and he said " it gives me great pleasure to begin my speech today in Gaelic, the language taught to me by my father and today I am very grateful for his determination to have ensured that.

He is believed to have spoken longer in Gaelic in the chamber than any previous MP.

The Isle of Barra Transportation Committee discussed a number of possible amendments to the Oban Castlebay timetable for next summer but have requested a further meeting to be clear about the implications of some of the proposals. The committee welcomed the commitment by Cal Mac to leave the Clansman on the run at least until January for the winter sailings, and that consideration will be given by Cal Mac and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to retaining four sailings throughout the winter. Requests from the committee for improvements to the Sound of Barra Sailings are also under consideration.

The difficulties of negotiating timetable improvements while sharing the Clansman with Coll and Tiree were a matter of concern for Barra representatives who felt that all possible options should be considered to improve the service to Barra.

A public meeting for the Initiative on the Edge will be held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 7th June in Castlebay Community Hall. The meeting will undertake the formal election of directors to the new community development company and there will be presentations about some of the individual projects identified as potential requirements for Barra . Membership forms to be handed into Marion MacNeil Cnes in Castlebay Hall. Anyone interested in standing as a director for the new company can hand in forms to Marion prior to the meeting.

From this Saturday (4th June), as work gets underway on Our Lady Star of the Sea, Castlebay, masses will now be said in St. Brendan's Church in Craigston. Vigil mass will be held as usual at 7pm on Saturday and Sunday Mass at 11am in Craigston.

If you wish transport, at 10.30am a bus will leave Glen, via Castlebay Square, Horve, Tangusdale to Craigston for 11am.

The island community gathered in great numbers last Wednesday to celebrate the bi-centenary of St Brendan's Church in Craigston. Appropriately the celebration of Mass was held on Borve Machair, close to the ruins of St Brendan's chapel where St Brendan is reputed to have landed and lived in Barra. A large contingent from Uist added to the numbers who joined in the Mass being celebrated by the Bishop of Argyll and the Isles, Fr Roddy MacNeil, parish priest of Our Lady Star of the Sea, Castlebay and a considerable number of priests from the islands and the mainland. Following the Mass, the procession wound it’s way from Borve to Craigston for a blessing of St Brendan’s church in Craigston.

Following the bitterly cold day on the Machair, many came to Castlebay Community Hall for a delicious buffet and later on in the evening enjoyed an excellent Ceilidh with the wealth of local talent available on the island.

A heartfelt word of thanks to all those who worked so hard and contributed their time and efforts to making the 200^th celebrations such a success. It was great to see so many come together to truly mark the occasion and join in with the religious and social side of the bicentenary.

Mass change: To highlight the 200^th anniversary of the establishing of a parish in Craigston the First Communions will take place there. This means that this Saturday (28th) the Vigil Mass will take place in Star of the Sea at 7pm and the Sunday Mass will be in Craigston at 11am.

Today, Friday, May 27 is Isles FM Day and the Community Radio Station is flying the flag with a series of musical events and a special 24-hour non-stop broadcast marathon to raise awareness of its need for extra cash to fund an ambitious expansion for the station's reception area to expand to also take in Harris and the Uists and Barra.

Isle FM will be broadcasting from the new Barra Learning Centre. The broadcasting will start at 8am and will involve a number of interviews with Barra people, later in the day there will be music and chats with local people broadcasting from Benbecula and North Uist.

Best wishes are extended to Isles FM and we look forward to their service expanding to cover from the Butt to Barra.

Nine light aircraft flown by private pilots took the opportunity to fly in to, what is believed to be Europe's only beach landing strip that supports scheduled flights, during Barra Airport’s three-day annual fly-in at the end of last week.

The event, organised by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited and the Scottish Aero Club, included a dinner and ceilidh on the island for the 21 visitors. Most of the visiting aircraft were from Perth Flying Club. Amongst the visiting pilots was 86-year-old John Moffatt who flew Swordfish aircraft during World War Two and dropped a torpedo against the German battleship Bismarck. He flew into Barra in his Piper Colt aircraft.

Michael Galbraith, HIAL station manager, said: "Barra's world famous beach runway provided a unique flying experience for the visiting pilots and passengers while the good weather provided excellent flying conditions. This was one of the best fly-ins we have staged at the airport and I would like to pass on my thanks to everyone who has assisted in its organisations."

In 1984 Father Colin MacInnes left his South Uist home and embarked on a journey which would radically change his life and priesthood and would impact just as dramatically on the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in Quito, Ecuador.

The programme profiles Fr. Colin and his achievements in Quito as he approaches another significant milestone in his life. Later this year, he will leave Comitč del Pueblo, the former Communist-run township in which he has established running water, schools, a bank, roads and churches since his arrival twenty years ago.

As well as catering for his parishioners’ spiritual needs, Father Colin immediately took responsibility for the material welfare of his people. Ignoring threats of violence and his own personal safety, he defied the Communist rulers and stood against the injustice and inequality they represented in his parish. The programme will reflect on the transformation of the Comitč del Pueblo and its people during the last twenty years and highlight the incredible fund-raising campaigns led by Father Colin resulting in the millions of pounds, including contributions from the Western Isles and Scotland, that have enabled him to accomplish his aims.

Father Colin’s achievements against overwhelming odds will be confirmed by the views of his own parishioners and also by representatives of the much wider world of Ecuador’s capital city. In the knowledge that he has decided to leave Quito, these people will also reflect on a Comitč del Pueblo without its Scottish padre.

On behalf of the community in Barra, we wish to take the opportunity to thank Calum Macdonald for his 18 years of service as our Member of Parliament in London. During his time as the MP he has served us well and among many of his achievements for the islands, prior to the opening of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh was effective in his role as Transport minister in assisting the Western Isles to make the case for the Sound of Barra and Sound of Harris transport links. These Ferries and piers have opened up the Western Isles from south to North and united the islands into one community. We take this opportunity to wish Calum all the best for the future and many thanks again for all your work.

An action against Comhairle nan Eilean Siar for Ł300,000 of damages was settled out of court earlier this week. The action was raised by Alistair Galbraith, who, when a pupil of Castlebay School, sustained injuries to his fingers when he made a plaster cast of his hand during a Technical class in the School. The damage to his hand was severe and Alistair has undergone and will continue to undergo a series of operations for his injuries.

The action was raised against the Western Isles Education authority, who admitted liability but were due to contest the amount of damages in court on Tuesday. The case was settled before it came to court.

The planes are due to arrive on Thursday, will be in Barra all day Friday and will be leaving on Saturday. For once, for the Fly in, the weather looks fair for this weekend and should not cause any problems for the visiting planes. There is a Ceilidh dance evening in St Barr's Hall, Northbay on Friday evening to mark the occasion.

Next Wednesday, 18th May, the parishes of the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles will come together to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the establishing of a parish in Craigston. Bishop Murray will be the main concelebrant at an open air Mass at Borve Cemetery, followed by a Blessed Sacrament procession to St Brendan’s church ending with solemn Benediction. A Ceilidh dance will take place in Castlebay Hall at 8pm and the Vatersay Boys will be on hand to help to dance the night away.

An open invitation is made to all in our island community to join in with the mass which begins at 12 noon, and Ceilidh in the evening. Stewards will be on hand to help direct car parking on Borve Machair and the elderly will be bused from the main road to St Brendan's and back.

Due to all the painting taking place in St Brendan’s Craigston, the vigil mass this Saturday will take place in Our Lady Star of the Sea ,Castlebay at 7pm

SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands has praised the actions of the parents of Craigston school in finding a temporary teacher but says that the Council must do more to find a long term replacement and secure the future of the school. Speaking after he met with some of the parents and children who attend the school Mr Gibson said that no small schools in the Western Isles should be facing closure. Barra and the Uists which were targeted in the last round of cuts so parents of all small schools with falling rolls should band together across the islands.

Rob got involved in the plight of the single teacher Craigston School, after it emerged that the Council had not been pro-active in finding a long term replacement due to difficulties arising from a temporary replacement shortage. Due the actions of the parents an excellent temporary teacher has been found. Mr Gibson stated that he was very impressed by the spirit of the parents and am bemused by the laissez-faire attitude of the Council. “Small community schools should be able to give pupils certainty about their future and the future of their community. We have to make sure that each and every school which provides this remains open." "I have received an assurance from Her Majesty's Inspectorate that the school will not be inspected until after June and given new staff time to settle in. So a snap inspection should not deter those from applying for the job. Rob Gibson promised to aid the parents in their quest to make Craigston school to prosper.

During his Barra visit, Mr Gibson met many people and groups in Barra on his all-too-short visit. These also included staff from St Brendan's Hospital, Voluntary Action Barra, pupils from S1 and S3 at Castlebay School and those at Cobhair Bharraigh, as well as matters raised by his Constituency surgery such as funding for voluntary services and student loans. He hopes to return in the near future to follow up on the string of issues raised with him at his surgery.

Problems with berthing, problems with bugs, problems with weather all resulted in major changes to our ferry services this week.

The Clansman was withdrawn from service for two days when many members of the crew were infected by flu like symptoms, later identified as an air borne virus.

Wednesday’s ferry, had to remain in Castlebay until 4.30 am Thursday morning because of berthing problems in Oban.

Thursday’s ferry, had to turn back from Tiree and the Barra sailing was cancelled due to bad weather. Ferry services hope to return to normal on Friday, wind and weather permitting.

Leader of the Scottish National Party Alex Salmond MP enjoyed his campaigning visit to Barra this week, and thanked the local community for the massive support he received while on the island. Mr Salmond joined with local General Election candidate Angus MacNeil on a tour of the Na h-Eileanan an lar constituency, which included several stops on Barra.

Mr Salmond said: “I’d like to thank the people of Barra for their support during my time there this week. Angus Brendan is a hugely impressive candidate, and is certainly attracting a lot of local support. His hard work and dedication is a lesson for us all. In fact, after travelling around Scotland intensively in the last few weeks I can safely say that Angus’ schedule was as demanding as I’ve seen from any candidate.

“As I toured the island I’m now even more aware of the problems facing the communities here. Labour have clearly failed local people on issues such as failing to solve the huge transport problems to the holes in the hospital roof. We need someone who can deliver real changes, like a hard strip for the airport, which would make a huge difference to the lives of the people here.

“If these things matter to you, you should make it matter in May by voting for Angus MacNeil and the SNP.”

Mr MacNeil said: “Alex’s visit was a huge boost for the campaign here. The friendly welcome and support he received shows the strength of support here for both him and the SNP. As the most trusted political leader in Scotland he can deliver real change for Scotland and the people of the Western Isles.

“Their record shows that you can’t trust Labour to deliver for Barra. Only the SNP can make Scotland matter in May.”

Back to School for Craigston School Pupils
Any hopes of pupils from Craigston School had for an extension to their holidays disappeared this week when Education Department officials met with parents last Tuesday. Parents were informed that, in the meantime, the Comhairle has been able to make alternative staffing arrangements to enable the school to reopen on Monday. Consequently, the need to consider making arrangements for the temporary transfer of the pupils to another school has been averted.

The meeting was positive and constructive and both parties are pleased with the outcome. However the situation illustrates the increasing difficulties being encountered with regard to supply staffing, locally and nationally, and this is an issue which will have to be addressed.

The closing date for applications for supply staff to fill the post of Acting Head Teacher of Craigston School is Monday 18th April. Leeting will take place immediately thereafter.

First Minister Jack McConnell announced government support towards the costs of building a new school in Balivanich and he confirmed that the government would provide financial support to ensure that key transport links, particularly the North Ford causeway and the breakwater at Ceann a Gharaidh were reinstated. The funding announcement was made during his visit to the Uists where he met with people from Uist and Barra and visited some of the areas, including the North and South Ford causeways, which were badly damaged during the storm.

On Monday morning a deputation left Barra to meet with Mr McConnell at the Politician on Eriskay. William Douglas, skipper and owner of the MFV Reward which was sunk off Ardveenish pier, spoke to Jack McConnell about the devastation caused to the fishing fleet by the January storms, the long term implications of the loss of the fisheries to the boats, crews and Barratlantic, the knock on effects of which are still being felt on the Island economy. Karen MacLean presented a dossier about the Future of Our Air Service to the First Minister, and reminded him that there is still no word of the report about the feasibility study into the hard strip, the survey for which was started in August last year. Fiona MacLeod and Tina Campbell, representing the Vatersay Association, were there to try and get some answers from the Scottish Executive about stopping the coastal erosion that threatens to split Vatersay into two islands. It seems that answers to this problem are thin on the ground.

The First Minister also met with Northbay Community Council representatives, Chair Hugh Douglas and Vice-Chair Eoin MacNeil, and was provided with an overall picture of the various areas where the Storm had hit the most in Barra & Vatersay, especially in terms of the long term effect on local employment in the fishing industry. They also took the opportunity to raise the plight of Craigston School in terms of its staffing problems and concern about the future for the pupils in the school.

The First Minister thanked the Barra delegation for travelling to Eriskay to meet him and informed the group that it was his hope to visit Barra later on in the year.

The funeral of Pope John Paul II will take place at the Vatican today, Friday 8th April. Mourned by Catholics world wide, Pope John Paul II, was the most travelled Pope ever and reached out across all nations to meet with all generations and denominations through out the globe.

The funeral, which will take place in St Peter’s Square, will be attended by presidents, prime ministers, leaders and royalty from across the world and will be watched by a public audience of 100,000 and a TV audience of over one billion worldwide. Afterwards, the body will be carried into St Peter’s basilica for the final interment in the crypt. During this time, a ten-tonne funeral bell will ring out.

After the service, the Church will begin the nine days of mourning the death of John Paul II. The Conclave, which is the gathering of cardinals to decide the new Pope, must take place no sooner than 15 days after his death and no later than 20 days

COSLA have arranged a meeting in Edinburgh on Monday to enable representatives from Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles to meet with the Scottish Air Ambulance Service to discuss the concerns of these island groups about the delivery of the Air Ambulance services to the smaller islands in the Scottish islands. Donald Manford will be representing the Western Isles at this meeting in response to concerns from Barra about the future of the Air Ambulance provision.

Jack McConnell will visit Uist on Monday to see for himself the devastation caused by the storms in January. A delegation of Barra representatives has been invited to meet with him when he reaches Eriskay on his fact-finding visit.

Craigston School parents are continuing with their campaign to find a teacher by 18th April to enable them to retain their children in their local school. There have been enquiries to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar from 9 potential candidates for the supply teacher post, and parents are urging the Comhairle to process these applications quickly for the benefit of the school and pupils.

Castlebay Swimming Pool will be open to the public on Sundays from now on. Approved by the Comhairle last year, Sunday swimming was due to start last winter but will now begin from Sunday 24th April. An opportunity for us all to use the facilities of the swimming pool and Games hall in our own leisure time.

The organisers of the appeal would like to thank everyone for their generous contributions to this appeal, which raised Ł1,500 in a very short space of time. The funds were delivered personally to families of the pilot and paramedic who so tragically lost their lives in the Air Ambulance accident.

Parents of pupils at Craigston Primary School have vowed to fight on to keep their school from closure after the Easter break. Following the failure of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to appoint a supply teacher for the school to cover for the sick leave of the current head teacher, the Comhairle advised parents that they would transfer pupils on "a temporary basis" to Eoligarry and Castlebay Schools. Parents at both Eoligarry and Castlebay Schools are backing the Craigston parents in their efforts to keep their children in their local school.

Craigston parents are refusing to transfer their children to the other schools and are fighting to retain the school, as they fear that temporary closure will result in the long term closure of the primary school. They have taken their campaign to the Comhairle, the MPs and the MSPs and are determined to fight all the way for their local school.

Caledonian MacBrayne's new state of the art terminal facility will be operational from Monday 4th April. A three storey structure, the new building will conform to current Disability legislation and will have lifts to the first and second floors. There will be a ticket office, tour shop, passenger waiting facility, retail area and offices. In their recent press release, Cal Mac have also stated that the new terminal building will operate a Left Luggage Facility although this will be subject to review pending changes in security working practices. The need for a Left Luggage facility has been long identified by islands Community Councils and Transport Committees.

Following the opening of the new building, the old terminal building will be demolished and additional car marshalling lanes will be established to deal with the ever increasing traffic demand on the ferries out of Oban. During this demolition process there will be no car parking available. Cal Mac apologise for this short term inconvenience. Customers are advised to allow extra time for boarding and registration at peak periods during the demolition and realignment process on the pier.

An announcement was made today (Friday) that a major project is to get underway for the complete restoration of Kisimul Castle. Being funded by American historians, this restoration project will result in the Castle being dismantled stone by stone and shipped to the States where efforts will be made to re assemble it to the original 13th Century plan, copy it then ship the fully restored castle back to Barra (in numbered crates) for re assembly on site in Barra.

The fully replicated copy will be constructed alongside the London Bridge in the States and become a major tourist attraction for Clan members at home and away.

Parents of children in Craigston Primary School have been advised that if a supply teacher cannot be found to provide cover for staff absence due to ill health then the primary school will close and children will be dispersed to Castlebay and Eoligarry Primary schools after Easter.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar have stated that they have been unsuccessful in their search for a suitable teacher leaving very unhappy parents facing school closure or having to find a teacher themselves. While at this stage, closure is being considered on a temporary basis, parents are concerned that this is a back door approach to the long term closure of Craigston School and have stated that they will fight on to keep their school open and are appealing for any teachers willing to consider the post on a supply basis to make contact with Craigston School board.

Mark Russell MSP, Vice Convenor of the Scottish Parliament environment and Rural Affairs committee is shown looking at the devastation in Vatersay caused by the ongoing problem of machair erosion.

The erosion in Vatersay, if allowed to continue unchecked, will split Vatersay into two islands in the very near future. Vatersay Association are seeking help and funding to attempt to deal with this major problem.

Sarah Boyack, Convenor of the Parliamentary Committee meets with Castlebay School pupils and staff over lunch in the school.

During their visit the MSPs met with representatives of Castlebay and Northbay Community Councils, voluntary Action Barra and Vatersay, local businesses and Comhairle staff to discuss issues of importance to this island community in Barra. The next stage of their inquiry will involve giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament in a more formal process.

Island communities in the Highlands and Islands were devastated this week with the news that one of the air ambulances that regularly serve the island had crashed off Campbeltown on their final approach to Macrihanish Airport. Sympathies are extended to the families of the pilot, Guy Henderson from Broxburn and the paramedic, John McCreanor from Paisley .

We are so dependent on the Air Ambulance Service from Barra to mainland hospitals and fully sympathise with the families and colleagues of the air ambulance crews following this disaster.

Talks are underway between the management of Caledonian MacBrayne and the RMT Union to try to avert the threatened strike action due to take place on Wednesday 23 March.

The 12 hour Strike is due to start at 12noon on Wednesday and will affect the Sound of Barra Ferry Service. The Guth has been informed, however that it should not affect the service to and from Oban as, if the vessel is en route at the time the strike is due to start, the vessel will complete the sailing.

In their submission to the Scottish Executive’s proposals on the Scottish Executive ferry tendering the SNP have called for an Independent Ferry Regulator to uphold passengers rights and to be someone to whom Cal-Mac would be accountable, rather than the present situation where Cal-Mac are judge and jury in their own court.

SNP Transport Spokesman Fergus Ewing said, “The SNP strongly supports the creation of an independent regulator along the lines of other UK regulatory agencies such as The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) or The Office of Communications (Ofcom). Such a regulator could be responsible for regulating levels of prices and services and the levying fines for non-delivery of service. Its remit should, at the same time, protect and advance the public interest in economic and social terms and ensure essential services are secure.

“The current threat of industrial action affecting Cal-Mac by the RMT while highly regrettable, due to the disruption caused to communities, is at the same time understandable as the Labour government are threatening the very existence of Cal-Mac and therefore the jobs and conditions of many island sea-farers. If the experience in the Northern Isles is anything to go by, tendering will not improve services or fares and will cost the public purse far more in the end while threatening island jobs.

The SNP believes it is possible to design a scheme to avoid damaging tendering which would be in accordance with EU law.”

Western Isles SNP candidate Angus Brendan MacNeil said “Labour both at Westminster and Holyrood could have done a lot more to avoid the current strike action, indeed the Western Isles Labour member at Holyrood voted in effect for Cal-Mac privatisation, as a result they have forced seamen into a corner and this is why we have the union strike action to prevent tendering and to protect jobs and conditions of work. ”Specifically on the Barra and South Uist situation, it is a disgrace that at present we have only three sailings a week from the mainland, which was the situation 70 years ago in 1935. Clearly Labour have done little to improve our service over the 18 years they have represented the islands, it is now time for a change.”

There will be a meeting on Tuesday 15th March at 7.30pm in Castlebay School. Although this meeting is primarily for discussing the response to Calmac consultation document, other Calmac issues will also be raised.

Closing date for the consultation to put Calmac out to tender is Wednesday 16th March. Any individuals or organisations wishing to comment can do so by email john.b.davidson@scotland.gsi.gov.uk. The consultation documents can be viewed online at www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations.

Although the Scottish Parliament have voted against the proposal to put Calmac routes out to tender, that is only until the EU Regulations are clarified with regard to the need to tender the Clyde and Hebrides services. The Scottish Executive have gone ahead with the consultation process while awaiting clarification from Europe. The proposal to privatise Caledonian MacBrayne by putting these routes out to tender has serious implications, not just for Islanders as passenger and ferry users, but also for the future of the staff and crews on board the ferries.

It is extremely important that anyone who is entitled to Single Farm Payment submit an accurate IACS form this year. This will be their entitlement until 2013. IACS 2005 forms will include Single Farm Payment and Land Management Contract. Because of the complexity and importance of this years IACS forms, it is advised that anyone who has to complete an IACS form becomes a member of the college of Agriculture 01870602336 and contracts with the college to do their IACS forms. Given that your future payment until 2013 depends on this form it will be money well spent. It is unlikely that Voluntary Action Barra will be undertaking any IACS forms this year.

Fire fighting capacity on Barra has seen another improvement with the main fire engine being upgraded from middie engine to a full size appliance.

The 11 ton machine can carry 400 gallons of water (double that of the middie), over 600m of hose, RTA equipment and 13.5m & 10.5m ladders.

At present the station has just this vehicle as the smaller appliance has gone to the brigade workshop for a major overhaul but will be back in a few weeks.

As there appear to have been incorrect assumptions made about the temporary arrangements put in place for midwifery on Barra, the health board would like to confirm the following:

Out-of-hours midwifery services on Barra are in place for all women on the island likely to go into labour at around the time their baby is due.

There has been an unexpected short-term problem with sickness that has affected immediate arrangements for midwifery cover.

A careful assessment of service needs at that time was carried out. Since there were no women likely to need midwifery interventions over this short period of time there was no need to provide extra cover. In any event, an emergency involving a pregnant woman would need medical intervention from a local GP and possible transfer to another hospital. Like all emergencies, the first point of contact in that event is through the 999 service. Advice to mothers-to-be is also available round-the-clock by telephone from the maternity department at Western Isles Hospital. Normal daytime services are not affected.

The Parliament's Environment and Rural Development Committee will be conducting a two-phase inquiry into rural development entitled "securing the future for rural communities". Sarah Boyack MSP (Labour – Convener of ERD Committee), Karen Gillon MSP (Labour), Mark Ruskell (Green – Deputy Convener of ERD Committee), will meet local businesses and stakeholders in the area.

No, the island was alight last week when the traditional “Seiging” began once the dry weather set in and heather was burning across the hills and glens of Barra. Visitors arriving on the ferry over the weekend must have wondered where they were coming to, sailing into an island ringed with fire. However, there is legislation governing “Muirburn” as is the official title for setting the island alight and this legislation is not being observed.

Castlebay was smoked out last Friday when smoke and ash drifted across for fires burning above Glen. And the local fire brigade were called out on numerous occasions to deal with uncontrolled hill fires. For details of the regulations on Muirburn see the back page of the Guth.

NAME	PARTY	VOTES	%	+/- %
ANGUS MACNEIL	SNP	6,213	44.9	+8.0
CALUM MACDONALD	Labour	4,772	34.5	-10.5
JEAN DAVIS	Liberal Democrat	1,096	7.9	+1.4
JAMES HARGREAVES	Operation Christian Vote	1,048	7.6	+7.6
ANDY MACIVER	Conservative	610	4.4	-5.1
JOANNE TELFER	Scottish Socialist Party	97	0.7	-1.5
MAJORITY		1,441	10.4
TURNOUT		13,836	64.1	+4.0
SWING		9.3% from LAB to SNP