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GUTH BHARRAIDH BARRA NEWS |
19/05/06
Van Costs to Escalate
Caledonian MacBrayne have stated that as from 1st June they intend to apply the advertised commercial rate for small vans carrying over 3.5tonnes. Up until this date, vans under 5 metres have been able to travel on the CalMac ferries on normal non commercial tickets. The change will mean the vehicles under 5 metres but weighing over 3.5 tonnes will now be charged commercial rates and will see a considerable increase in their costs. The implications for small island businesses of this change to the under 5 metre ruling are immense as costs of travel and transport on goods will escalate.
Hugh Dan MacLennan, CalMac's public affairs manager, admitted the company had been at fault in not enforcing its advertised charging system. He said the viability of island businesses was a separate issue but added that it would be unfair to customers who paid advertised charges not to enforce them. He added: "We have given advance notice that on June 1 we will strictly apply the policy. Lifeline services cost a lot of money to deliver and by not implementing the system we have been costing the tax payer money."
CalMac has sent out warning letters advising small van delivery services that, if they exceed a 3.5 tonne weight limit, they will be charged three times more. In recent times the dearer commercial rate has only been enforced for vans over 5metres long, a ruling which has led to some traders buying special small length vans which can carry heavier loads.
But from June 1 those who exceed the weight limit will pay commercial ticket rates, instead of being allowed to use the much cheaper books of tickets which are available for vehicles under 5metres.
Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil, has added his voice to that of MSP Jim Mather in calling for Caledonian MacBrayne not to apply commercial ferry ticket prices to small van delivery services.
Mr MacNeil claimed this would have huge financial implications for some companies which in turn would mean higher charges for customers. Mr MacNeil said: "CalMac are selling deck space and to triple the charges for these smaller vehicles will affect the cost of living for people living in the islands. This is a tax that will affect jobs and business. Quite why CalMac are worried about weight is beyond me - they should only be selling deck space. Every so often CalMac look to do something that leaves me weak with exasperation."
Coastal Protection Works – Craigston
In January this year Comhairle nan Eilean Siar employed consultants Mott MacDonald to undertake a study of areas of the Western Isles which were perceived to have serious erosion problems. This was done with a view to identifying those areas which would qualify for Scottish Executive assistance under the Coast Protection Act 1949.
The coastal road at Craigston has been identified as one of the highest priority areas in the Western Isles and following development of a remedial plan, an application for funding, under the Act, was submitted to the Scottish Executive in late March. A decision on the application is expected imminently.
On Wednesday 17th May representatives of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Mott MacDonald visited Barra and met with Councillor Donald Manford and the Community Council Chairmen to outline progress to date and to obtain a local perspective on the outline plan. If funding is forthcoming more detailed planning will be required prior to works being instigated, it is expected there will be scope for local input at this stage.
12/05/06
Orange Mobile Masts are Now Moving Forward!
Ian R Macneil of Barra has now confirmed that all the paperwork is in place to allow progress on the saga of the mobile phone masts in Bentangaval and Bruernish.
He states: “Orange has finally entered a formal agreement with the Macneil of Barra Estate for the leases for the Bentangaval and Bruernish mobile phone masts. We can now commence re-sumption proceedings with the land court, and hope to do so next week.”
“Many individuals and organisations- too many to list – both within and outwith the Barra community have helped the Estate keep the wheels moving towards this end over the past five and more years. The Estate will continue to move things along as fast as we can.”
In Response From Visit Scotland
The following letter was received in response to last week’s article about Visit Scotland’s Chief Executive’s visit to the Western Isles:
Philip Riddle as part of his Talking Tourism tour round Scotland asked us to arrange for him to visit the Outer Hebrides for 2 nights 3/4 May. We arranged a schedule for him with a meeting in Barra with local businesses on the afternoon of Thursday 4 May followed by a presentation by him at the launch of Who Cares Wins by WIE in Balivanich that evening. So we arranged and booked ferry travel to/from Airdmhor that day and a meeting room in Castlebay Hotel.
Unfortunately what changed this plan was the decision by WIE to change the time of the Who Cares Wins meeting in Balivanich from Thursday evening to Thursday afternoon and they informed us that they were offering free travel to businesses in Barra to attend. We then had to cancel the meeting room that was booked in the Castlebay Hotel and the return ferry crossing to Airdhmhor.
I personally made a courtesy call to Peter Brown, who is the Barra tourism representative, to inform him of the implications of the change in the Who Cares Wins meeting time that we would not be able to be in Barra as planned on Thursday afternoon. Both Philip Riddle and myself were very disappointed that we were unable to fulfill our original plans.
Philip Riddle has asked to reschedule his visit to Barra and arrangements will be made for him to do so.
Angus MacMillan, Visit Scotland, Stornoway
Highlands & Islands Music and Dance Festival
Dancers form the Jane Douglas School of Dancing who competed at the Scottish Choreography Challenge at the Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival in the Corran Halls in Oban.
Dancing in the Irish Theme section were Mairead MacNeil, Catriona Nicholson and Kathleen MacLean with leprechauns Mairi MacLean and Karen Elder.
In the 16 and under Scottish Theme Karen, Mairi and Catriona danced “The Raggle Taggle Gypsy”.
05/05/06
Barra Off the VisitScotland Map!
Visit Scotland chief executive, Philip Riddle, this week is on a tour of the Western Isles and is hoping to meet as many people as possible who work in the tourist industry. But not in Barra!
Due, on Wednesday, to visit Tarbert in Harris, then An Lanntair in Stornoway, on Thursday he will visit Lochmaddy and Lochboisdale Tourism Information Centres and then to Tigh Dearg Hotel who have been awarded four star status. On Friday he is due back in Stornoway to meet with CnES and to visit the Stornoway Information Centre. While at An Lainntair he will have a session about Who Cares Wins, a new customer service strategy aimed at taking quality and service to a high level in the Outer Hebrides.
Barra appears to have been left off the map of the Western Isles for this visit.
Normal visits by top officials would start at one end of the Western Isles and continue through from North to South or South to North. Mr Riddle will be all over the place but does not appear to be setting foot in Barra. Concern has been expressed from Barra about the omission of Barra from Mr Riddle’s pre arranged itinerary but these concerns have been ignored.
Important Meeting for Barra Pre-School
Monday 8th May at 8pm.
A meeting of all past, present and future members and committee. Anyone interested in the future of the building please come along. This meeting will be taking key decisions about the future running of the Pre School building, which currently houses the Playgroup, the Croileagen, Cothrom, and the Café. This is a superb community facility for the island as well as being an important employer and provider of services. Serious discussion is required and your input is important as a member, a parent, a user or a customer.
Please come!
Call for Public Meeting re Sheep Scab and Straying Sheep
Many people have expressed concern about the state of many of the sheep around the island with regard to Sheep Scab. Many townships are also calling for crofters to comply with Grazing Regulations and remove livestock to the Common Grazings or to stockproof croft land.
At this time of the year, when livestock should be moving to common grazings, there are many areas which totally ignore the regulations and allow animals to stray freely around the villages and roads. With summer coming in, it is not healthy, safe or hygienic to have sheep and their droppings around houses, playing areas and roads. And the smell leaves much to be desired! Chanel No 5 it is not!
Such is the level of concern in Barra at the current state of affairs that failure to deal with the removal of livestock as per the regulations will result in a call for a public meeting with the Animal Health officer, the Grazings officer and SEERAD being requested to attend.
28/04/06
CalMac Offers Interchangeability of Tickets on Sounds of Barra and Harris
Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has confirmed that multi-journey tickets for use between Oban and Uist/Barra and between Uig and Lochmaddy/Tarbert(Harris) will now be valid on both legs of the individual triangular route. This means that customers will be allowed to change the island port of departure and arrival as they choose. Until now, the six-journey tickets have been for designated island ports. The new system has been introduced as part of the evolution of the spinal route of links through the Outer Hebrides.
The change has been confirmed at a meeting of the
Shipping Services Advisory Committee and will be
introduced from May 1, 2006.
Phil Preston, CalMac's Operations Director said: "The
new options involve a rationalization of the ticketing
system and offer interchangeability of the tickets and
the ports of departure and arrival on routes from Oban
to Castlebay and Lochboisdale, and also from Uig to
Tarbert, Harris and Lochmaddy. This now means that
customers will not be penalized for using either the
Sound of Harris or Barra by having to purchase new
six-journey or other tickets on the mainland ferry. They
will, however, continue to purchase tickets for the
Sounds at the advertised rates. The main benefit to the
customer is that they will have greater flexibility in
the number of sailings they can choose from knowing
their multi-journey ticket will still be valid.
Customers can now vary their island port of departure
and arrival at their convenience."
Barra and Vatersay Councillor Donald Manford said: “I
welcome that CalMac have taken on board the communities
call to make tickets interchangeable in the Outer
Hebrides. What is required now is for CalMac to give
equal consideration to the restrictive conditions of use
on multi-journey tickets.”
Dancing Competition
Some of the trophy winners at the recent Barra Highland Dancing Competition are Jessica Ferguson, Catriona Nicholson, Mairead MacNeil, Alyson MacNeil, Kristie Boyd and Hazel MacDonald. Missing is Alison MacDonald.
Congratulations to Mairead MacNeil who has passed her teacher's exam to become an associate member of the Scottish Dance Teachers Alliance. Well done!
Barra GP Says Earnings Story was a Hoax
After media stories about his alleged earnings, Dr David Bickle, the GP on Barra, contacted the health board to say that he did not write the internet article in which he is quoted as saying he earns £300,000 a year. He said that he believed the article was written by someone as an April Fool joke following a website contribution that Dr Bickle had made about GP earnings.
Dr Bickle, who is currently on holiday with his family,
said that he would also like it to be known that the
claims in the article are largely untrue and that he
does not earn £300,000 per annum or anything near that.
21/04/06
On The Watch For Bird Flu
In light of the positive confirmation of the H5N1 strain of bird flu in a swan in Fife, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is urging increased vigilance by poultry keepers and the general public in the Western Isles. Bird keepers are also advised that they may be required to house their birds indoors or otherwise isolate them from wild birds. Further information is expected from the Scottish Executive in the next few days. In the meantime general bio security measures should be observed. Chairman of Environmental Services, Angus Nicolson, said: “The Comhairle urges people to remain vigilant in the light of this discovery of Avian Flu in Scotland. For most keepers, planning ahead may be worthwhile in the event of a housing requirement being brought into effect. Keepers should also look out for signs of disease in their flock. Deaths, falling egg production and respiratory problems may be early signs and advice should be sought from the vet as soon as possible”.
Tests are being carried out on three dead birds found in a number of locations in Barra, but people should remember that dead birds are fairly common on the islands, especially at this time of the year as many are migrating north. Information on bio security and other advice is at www.defra.gov.uk or leaflets are available by phoning 08459 33 55 77.
Bus Bharraigh & Tagsa Uibhist
On Friday 10th March a group of intrepid travellers who don’t normally get further than Balivanich set off for the weekend for Lewis and Harris. This trip, the first extended trip for the group, got as far as the Port of Ness at the opposite end of the Hebrides. Here they are on Saturday afternoon - breezy, but not nearly as bad as Barra was that day. Having explored places as diverse as Husinis, Scalpaigh, Garenin, Arnol & Rodel they were due to head for home on the Monday but the weather had other ideas, as all the ferries were cancelled, so they travelled from Harris to Uist on Monday evening, (Tarbert to Lochmaddy) and arrived back in Barra on Tuesday morning.
Arrangements for the tour were made through the Community Transport project and, as Bus Bharraidh was too busy in Barra, Tagsa Uibhist provided the vehicle to meet them in Eriskay and take them on tour. The group wish to express their thanks to Peter Brown for driving the group and acting as tour guide and Voluntary Action Barra would like to thank the Thrift Shop for the generous donation which helped cover some of the costs for this trip to the North.
Sunday sailings on the Sound of Harris will certainly make North/South travel at weekends much easier for groups.
14/04/06
Saintly Fashion Trends
Well, showing in his true colours, St Barr’s transformation from monk to football fanatic happened overnight last week. Is it in recognition of his assistance in helping the team to the silver ware or just a unique location to display the hoops??
Or could it just be that St Barr was feeling the effect of the onset of winter weather just when he should be warming up a bit for spring?
Obviously some serious planning and skilled needle work was required as the top is tailor made for the gentleman, uniquely designed to fit and has provided additional protection for him in this cold climate and, as yet, has not been whipped off him by some passing seal seeking to go upmarket (or downmarket!!) in the fashion stakes.
Coimhearsnachd Bharraidh agus Bhattarsaidh
(Barra and Vatersay Community) Ltd
An Easter Update from Iomart Aig an Oir
Various projects have continued to make progress in recent weeks. The main issues of the moment are the outcomes of the feasibility study on renewable wind energy and the start of the process which will result in a development plan for the Iomairt aig an Oir programme on Barra.
The renewable wind energy feasibility study has now been completed and we are expecting to see copies of a first draft in the next few days. As we have previously stated, copies of the report will be made available and the report itself will be presented at a public meeting which should take place towards the end of April.
As part of the Iomairt aig an Oir programme, we are required to produce a development plan which presents a vision for future development on Barra and Vatersay. This plan should show clearly how the projects currently being pursued by the company move towards achieving this vision. It is intended that the development plan is complimentary to the work of various existing community, governmental, and agency initiatives. We would hope to provide the communities of Barra and Vatersay an opportunity to comment on the plan before it is finalised to ensure it represents an accurate view of our aspirations.
In partnership with CNES, a study has been commissioned into the development of a pier for fish landings at the South end of Barra. Arch Henderson will undertake the work and recently visited Barra to get the local perspective. The meeting went well and a number of prospective development approaches were discussed. A report will be submitted to CNES & CBAB in the next few weeks.
The Northbay Community Initiative continues to move forward their plans at a rapid pace. Advances are being made on several fronts including:- The renewable energy project making good progress and with insulation works commencing; The community building will be constructed in the coming weeks with entry expected in May; Youth Garden/Park walk is making steady progress.
For further information please contact individuals from the project concerned or Gerard Macdonald, LDO, Coimheasnachd Bharraidh agus Bhatarsaidh (Barra and Vatersay Community) Ltd at 01871 810184 or email bvcltd@btconnect.com
07/04/06
Twin Otters land at Ardmhor Ferry Terminal!
Normally, unless you’re really lucky, the only sighting of an otter you would get is a quick glimpse of a dark shape as it disappears under water.
Now, thanks to a collaboration between Northbay Community Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Scottish National Heritage and a prominent artist from Lewis, a pair of otters will remain on permanent display at the Ardmhor Ferry Terminal.
By the clever use of environmental funding from the partner agencies, Northbay Community Council has delivered a scheme for the terminal which will see an enhancement to the waiting area which includes the otter sculpture, a new decking facility, planting of shrubs, paths and a presentation board which will provide an interpretation of the otter’s habitat. The area around Ardmhor is well used by otters, as is most of Barra’s east coast and survey work carried out in preparation for the new ferry terminal confirmed that otters live nearby.
Robert Stubbington, CNES landscape architect, designed the layout at the terminal and Mary Harman, SNH, supplied the information regarding the otters. The New Deal team undertook the construction work for the site improvements.
Present at the site to oversee the positioning of the sculpture was Lewis based artist Iain Brady who created the otter sculpture. Iain studied painting at Grays School of Art and moved to Lewis 20 years ago.
Iain has been involved in many projects for schools, businesses and public commissions. Two large works can be seen on the gable ends of buildings in the centre of Stornoway. Iain stated “I have also exhibited widely and my work can be seen in many parts of the country. However, this sculpture has the most dramatic location of any I have had. I would like to thank Donald MacNeil and his great team for helping me position the art work on site.”
Dog Fouling
There have recently been a number of complaints made about dog fouling in the Castlebay area. In particular in and around the football field, school and St. Brendan’s Road. In any public open space it is an offence for a dog owner not to clean up their dogs feaces and failure to comply can result in a prosecution and fine of up to £500. If you walk your dog you can always carry the means to clear up after your dog. A simple plastic bag will do the trick. Every time your dog fouls “bag it and bin it”.
There have also been numerous complaints about dogs running free, chasing and attacking other animals and people, chasing cars or just generally being a nuisance. The Western Isles Warden can fine owners of dogs that are found unsupervised or without a lead in public areas. Fines go up to £1000.
31/03/06
No Air Service for a Week
Barra has had no air service since Friday due to technical difficulties with both of Loganair’s Twin Otters. It is hoped that the service will resume today, Thursday and that flights will be back to normal from now on.
But…Loganair Pilots will not now strike.
On the news on Thursday morning was that Loganair pilots had called off their threatened strike following discussions with their employers. Given that we did not know that such a strike was even being considered this is welcome news for Barra – providing we have a plane to deliver the service.
Sunday Sailings
Cal Mac Announce Sunday Ferry Sailings on Sound of Harris. Again a surprise announcement from Cal Mac just as the Comhairle was about to discuss their policy on Sunday working. The Comhairle have always made it clear that Sunday sailings are for Cal Mac to decide and now they have. Sunday sailings will start on the Sound of Harris in the very near future.
Co-op and Comhairle in Final Talks
Over the next two weeks, the Comhairle and the Scottish Co-op are in a final round of meetings about the Castlebay development site as the potential site for a new Co-op shop for Barra. Long awaited, the prolonged discussion about the new Co-op has been ongoing for years, but it appears that the negotiations have reached their final stages so watch this space…
Air Ambulance Service 1967- 2006
Thank you, Pilots, Paramedics and Nurses, And the Islander!
From, Barra and Vatersay
From 1st April 2006 will no longer be provided by Loganair or by the hard working Islander which has served us so well over the years. The Air Ambulance Service to Barra has been an essential lifeline, and while we have major concerns about the future provision of the service, the community wish to acknowledge the vital role that the Britten Norman Islander has played since 1967 in providing a reliable emergency service, uplifting patients from the islands in some very extreme weather conditions.
Islander to the rescue
In its final week of service the Islander has proved its worth day after day this week.
It has been called into service every day since Sunday, in weather conditions that did not allow the Helimed to operate. On two of these occasions the Islander airlifted two patients out to mainland hospitals.
This is the end of an era for our ambulance service, and we can only hope that the Helimed can match up to the high standards set by the Islander and the Loganair pilots over the years.
24/03/06
Boiler Room Fire in Children’s Centre
The Barra Pre School Children’s Centre is closed temporarily, following a fire in the Boiler room of the new building last Friday. The Barra fire brigade were called out and promptly dealt with the blaze which happened in the sealed off boiler room and is thought to have been caused by a fuel leak.
As the building has been left without heating or hot water it cannot re-open until the cause of the fire is established and the boiler repaired or replaced. Although the building is home to the Playgroup, Croileagean and Mother and Toddler group, we understand that there were no children in the building at the time of the blaze. Other staff, from the café, were quickly evacuated. The rest of the Children’s centre has not been damaged as the fire was contained within the boiler room.
Meeting Requested about Mail Service
Following the article in last week’s Guth about the Barra mail service, Councillor Donald Manford has requested that Mr E MacKenzie, the Royal Mail Area Manager for the Western Isles come to Barra for a meeting to discuss ways to improve the service for outgoing mail.
In his letter, Mr Manford states ” I need to bring to your attention concern regarding the recently realigned mail service to our island. You will understand that this is a considered response to a new service, having given the new arrangement time to bed-in. The area that most needs addressing is outgoing mail. I would like to extend you an invitation to come to Barra and meet with the community to enable us to give consideration to methods which would further improve the service.”
Concern about the poor service for outgoing mail has also been expressed by the manager of the Barra Practice who stated that the change to the outgoing mail service has resulted in considerable difficulties for the Practice in sending of samples for analysis, and that they are now having to be sent Air Freight via Benbecula and Stornoway, a considerable increase in costs for the NHS.
Please Note
Cal Mac Winter to Summer Timetable Changeover
Thursday 30 March is the last sailing on the winter timetable and the Lord of the Isles will depart Oban at 3.30pm sail to Lochboisdale then onto Barra for 10.45pm arrival. LOTI will then stay overnight in Castlebay ready to take up the first sailing of the summer timetable on Friday morning at 7am depart Castlebay via Lochboisdale into Oban at 2.20pm.
Friday afternoon 31st March, the Clansman will depart Oban at 1.40pm for Barra returning to Oban from Barra, departing from Castlebay at 6.50pm.
REMEMBER - CLOCKS GO FORWARD 1 HR ON SATURDAY NIGHT/SUNDAY MORNING!!
17/03/06
New Mail System - Is it working?
Now, several months into the new postal system, more questions are being asked about the time taken by outgoing mail to leave the islands for mainland destinations.
Currently incoming mail arrives in Benbecula from Inverness on the Mail charter plane, is picked up and delivered to the ferry in Eriskay and arrives in Barra at 11.10am. This allows for early delivery of mail round the island and means that post men are not delivering to the north end of the island at 8 and 9 at night as was the case when the mail came in on a late plane.
On the incoming mail, there does appear to be general satisfaction except when due to bad weather or late arrival of the mail plane into Benbecula, the incoming mail is delayed. In spite of assurances from Royal Mail that in such cases alternative means would be used, it appears that no use has been made to date of the one obvious alternative, i.e. the Benbecula Barra plane - This Wednesday was a case in point in that the Barra plane landed in Benbecula at the same time as the mail plane was unloading too late for the mail to make the ferry connection at 10.30.
Out going mail however is still giving rise for concern in that mail posted after 8am any day will not leave the island until 9.30am the next day to make the connection with the mail plane out of Benbecula at 3.30pm the next afternoon.
If you need to use the Post office for outgoing mail you must be there before 5.30pm. That mail then joins the 8am collection for going onto Uist. In comparison, a customer in Balivanich can post mail right up to 2.30pm for the plane leaving at 3.30pm that day. Barra Royal Mail customers are being penalised by 22 hours for the same service.
Given that the mail plane does not leave Uist until 3.30pm, and Barra mail arrives sorted for Uist, Stornoway and Inverness, then surely our outgoing mail could leave Barra on the 12.30 ferry and still be in Benbecula before 3pm. This would allow customers who need to, to use the Post Office that morning and have mail going out the same day as posting.
Royal Mail should be asked to review the Barra Mail Service, now that there has been a number of months to let the service settle in. Why should we be penalised and have nearly one day added on to the time it takes a letter to reach the mainland?
Caution Urged Over Avian Flu
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is advising poultry keepers to closely monitor the health of their birds following recent developments in the spread of avian flu in Europe.
All people keeping poultry and other domestic birds should remain vigilant for signs of the disease and should maintain a high level of biosecurity to reduce the risk of introducing the disease.
Owners are advised to report any sudden illness or death in their flocks to their own vet or to the SEERAD Animal Health Office in Inverness on 01463253098.
The public are also asked to be vigilant and report any findings of unusual mortality amongst wild birds, especially wildfowl and swans. Findings of any suspect carcases should be reported to:
The Scottish Agriculture College on 01463 243 030 or to
DEFRA on 0845 9 33 55 77 outwith working hours.
Any poultry keepers requiring further information or situation updates can contact Kenny Macleod, Animal Health Officer, on 01851870807.
10/03/06
Questions not answered!
Over 100 people met with Scottish Air Ambulance representatives in Northbay on Monday evening. Grave concerns are being voiced about the new air ambulance service due to start on 1st April. Angus B MacNeil MP opened the meeting and introduced Sam Kennedy and Jim Kersse from the Air Ambulance Service.
Why change? Sam Kennedy, General Manager, Scottish Ambulance Service, stated that the current contract expires on 31st March 2006. The New contract is due to start on 1st April 2006. Work on this new contract has been ongoing since 2003. The aim was to provide a better air ambulance service for Scotland. There were three bids for the tender and none of the contractors offered a fixed wing aircraft for places like Barra. The option was always going to be a helicopter.
What Can the helicopter do? Mr Kennedy said that all the aircraft must meet Health and Safety requirements. The islander is difficult to load with a patient and is noisy. The Helimed helicopter has a wide loading bay; custom designed as an ambulance; designed to provide effective infection control; can land in cross wind; has better capability landing and take off than fixed wing.
There was an avalanche of questions from the floor,
The ability of this specific helicopter to cope with weather conditions; space for escorts to travel with young children and elderly patients; willingness to carry expectant mothers; carrying psychiatric patients with the required number of escorts; suitability of the helicopter for expectant mothers who are in labour; returning patients from mainland hospitals; the need for refuelling; the use of Castlebay as a base without weather predictions or communications; lack of fire cover; design of the helicopter; de icing facility on the helicopter; tolerances to wind; range of the machine and many many more.
There was considerable criticism of the ability of the Helimed for the weather conditions experienced here. These concerns were reflected by Orkney and Shetland and, as Councillor Donald Manford pointed out, had been raised in a debate in the Scottish Parliament. A “Mickey Mouse” machine was the description from experienced North Sea oil workers with wide knowledge of Helicopter travel..
In response Sam Kennedy stated that; Alterations to the internal layout of the Helimed were already in hand for the transport of expectant mothers; if a patient needs to be flown off they will be flown off; the Helicopter can land at the Southern General; if there is a medical need for transport from mainland hospitals then the Helimed will do so; that a child will not go unescorted; that need escort provision is recognised; that, If the Helimed is not suitable for the weather conditions, then the Coastguard or Sea king helicopter will be sent.
He was asked to give assurances that the service will be monitored and that if the service is not satisfactory early consideration is given to the needs of the island. The SAS representatives were left in no doubt of the Barra view of the proposed service. While they may claim that a better Air ambulance Service is being provided for the rest of Scotland, for the islands who are totally dependent on this service, the new contract is potentially a major disaster.
The Helimed was unable to take off from Castlebay at 10pm on Monday night to return to Glasgow with the Scottish Ambulance officials. This was confirmation of our fears that this machine does not have the capability to deliver a service to Barra. Wind speed was force 5 and it was raining – big deal!!
03/03/06
Mobile Phone Campaign Hits the Headlines
The Barra Youth Council has caught media attention with their ongoing campaign for mobile phones for Barra. This issue was again raised as the mobile phone company, Orange, who are due to construct the masts in Bentangaval and Bruernish, continue to procrastinate and have yet to fix a firm date for construction of these. In their latest statement Orange say “we look forward to developing both sites in the year ahead and to offering greater choice, convenience and security to mobile users on the island”. They have said this since 2002.
The Youth Council’ campaign has featured in the Herald ( a large article on Monday) and on the Fred MacAulay show on BBC Radio Scotland, when during a phone link up to Barra and Elgin, Fred has persuaded an Elgin School pupil into giving up her mobile phone for one week in sympathy with the Barra pupils.
The Youth Council have again taken their campaign to the media, the MP’s, MSP’s, and have written to Orange, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and other agencies to highlight their need for mobile phone access.
Fourth Grounding in Two Years!
Barra Lifeboat was called out twice this weekend: on Saturday to assist a creel boat with a rope in its propeller, and on Sunday evening to assist the Ocean Maid, a Clyde registered fishing boat, which ran aground on the Dubh Sgeir, a rock at the entrance to Castlebay Harbour. The Ocean Maid ran aground at 8pm, just as the Lord of the Isles was entering the bay. The LOTI stood by until the lifeboat came alongside. The lifeboat then stayed with the fishing boat and managed to pull her off the rock at 3am on Monday morning.
Concern has been voiced about the leading lights coming into Castlebay as this is the fourth vessel to go aground in the same rock in the past two years. The lights at the entrance to Castlebay are confusing to boats who do not know the area.
Air Ambulance Meeting
St. Barr’s Hall, Northbay, Monday 6th March at 7.30pm.
The Scottish Ambulance Service, have agreed to attend this meeting in Barra to discuss changes in the Air Ambulance Service. They will provide information and answer concerns we, as islanders, may have.
Has the Air Ambulance saved your life? If so, BBC’s Eorpa would like to speak to you! Contact: Iain MacAulay on 0141 338 2029 or email: iain.macaulay@bbc.co.uk or call 810 401.
24/02/06
BBC to Look at Old School
The Old Primary School is under consideration for the BBC Restoration Programme. Following inquires last week, two representatives from Endemol UK, the company that produces the Restoration Programmes for the BBC, flew into Barra on Monday to look at the old school and to meet with the local community to discuss the old school as a restoration project.
Currently they are considering putting forward the building as a possibility for inclusion in the Scottish Round of the programme, but no final decision has yet been made. Ideas for Music recording /arts studio etc were discussed as was the importance of the building to the history of the island. The Napier Commission, which resulted in the Crofting Act in 1886, heard evidence from the crofters in the School. The stone wall around the site represents exactly one acre which enabled crofters and fishermen to judge the likely size of their crofts.
Successful Youth Garden Workshops For Young people