Isle of Barra news, archive

GUTH BHARRAIDH

BARRA NEWS

Barra Airport's famous beach landing strip played host to light aircraft from across the UK at the weekend during the island's 2004 Fly-in. The event, organised by a local committee in conjunction with Highlands and Islands Airports Limited, expected to see 15 aircraft fly into the island's Traigh Mhor landing strip on Saturday - the only beach runway in Europe to support scheduled air services.

However, due to poor flying conditions on the mainland (not in Barra for a change!!) only four private planes arrived at the airport. The first Barra Fly-in, held in 2002, attracted 16 light aircraft. Diane Worthington, chairperson of the Fly-in Committee said: "Although poor weather on the mainland meant that many of the aircraft were unable to reach us, those who did had a great weekend. We will certainly hope to stage the event again next year and hope that many more pilots will take the opportunity to visit the island."

Roy Cartledge, Regional Manager South for HIAL said: "There are no private aircraft based at Barra Airport but the airport is unique in the UK and is quite a draw for private flyers. General aviation traffic is something we are keen to develop in the at Barra, Campbeltown, Islay and Tiree. Last year's fly-in at Campbeltown was very successful and we will shortly be embarking on a promotional campaign to flying clubs across the UK and Europe.

Thanks to The Red Baron (!!) for giving all the children a tour of his aircraft and his flying display.

The end of this scheme which leased Bulls to townships and organised the purchase of quality Ram Lambs has been seen as a major blow to cattle production in crofting areas. At a time when crofters are moving back into the production of cattle to withdraw access to reliable supply of bulls is a major setback and could see the end of cattle production in island areas. A meeting has been called on Tuesday, in Castlebay School to campaign to retain the Livestock Scheme.

Voluntary Action Barra hopes to take delivery of their new bus on Wednesday evening from the Oban ferry. The regular drivers will spend Wednesday evening and Thursday driving the new vehicle. The bus can be inspected at Voluntary Action Barra’s office on Friday and will then go into service next Monday.

Four of the island’s youngest and most talented poets launched their new book of poetry and prose this week.

Island: A collection of poems and prose by young writers from the Isle of Barra was launched at Castlebay School on Tuesday night. At a most enjoyable evening, the Barra Writers’ Group provided an overview of the project from its conception and delightfully delivered a number of passages from the new book.

Mrs Tricia Blacker, who introduced the Writers’ Group as Amy MacPhee, Cara Donnelly, Megan Bickle and Louise MacNeil, commended the young writers for their hard effort and also praised the quality of the work produced.

The writers explained to the audience that in October last year they agreed to set up the group and met every Monday to study a variety of styles and techniques and other works by famous writers and poets. After a few weeks of writing, the group decided to create a book that would contain a variety of poems and prose reflecting life on Barra through their own eyes.

The group then decided to put a funding package together, which would allow them to produce and market the book themselves and were successful in obtaining support from a variety of sources including CNES, WIE, Mary Schmoller, Donald Manford and many others. Local shops, hotels, the airport and other retail outlets all agreed to sell their work. The book is now on the Isle of Barra website and the girls plan to sell copies on Ebay and are currently designing their own web site.

The result of their efforts is a wonderful collection “dedicated to the beautiful islands of Barra and Vatersay; the locals; the lifestyle and the freedom”.

It seems very appropriate that this exciting and vibrant set of works is born in the season of spring as our island comes alive with its new lambs, new calves and tourists!

Island provides the reader with a unique reflection of our island which is carried by an honesty of youth and set with all the best traditions of Barra & Vatersay, its environment, its culture, its industry, its music and most of all its people.

Once you read it you will know that you have sampled what is best about these islands and if this is what the Writers Group set out to achieve, then they are to be praised as they have done so with great success. Here is one example:

Haulage company Barratlantic Ltd. has been fined £5,000 at Oban Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to two charges relating to a failure to declare dangerous goods.

When a curtained sided unplacarded vehicle was routinely inspected by officers of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) accompanied by Strathclyde Police in November 2002 it was found to contain 67 undeclared Propane and Butane gas cylinders that amounted to 1068 Kg.

The maximum penalty which the law allows is £5,000 on each charge. As it was a first offence Barratlantic were fined £2,500 for each charge.

Caledonian MacBrayne has introduced two new discounted tickets which will provide major savings for regular users of the ferries across the Sounds of Harris and Barra.

The new tickets, can only be purchased at ports relating to the two routes concerned (Castlebay/Lochboisdale for the Sound of Barra and Tarbert/Lochmaddy for the Sound of Harris, and Stornoway).

Sound of Barra:- Car - Single £16.25. 30 tickets £487.50, saving £201.50. Passenger - Single £5.50 30 Tickets £165, Saving £53.

Sound of Harris:- Car - Single £23.70. 30 Tickets £711, Saving £296. Passenger - Single £5.20. 30 Tickets £156, Saving £50.

In the early hours of Sunday Morning 11th April, an incident took place within the Castlebay Bar, Isle of Barra during which a 19 year old female was injured. The young female required medical attention but was then released from hospital after treatment. A 30 year old male was apprehended as a result of this incident and appeared from custody in Stornoway Sheriff Court on Tuesday.

Police would like to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time of this incident and can be contacted on 01851 702222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Scottish Crofting Foundation has welcomed new guidance on private kills for home consumption issued by the Food Standards Agency. The clarification of the legal position on home kill now means that it is again deemed to be legal for a farmer or crofter to dispatch one of his or her own animals as food for the family, provided that rules on animal welfare, removal of risk material and disposal of by-products are adhered to.

Welcoming the new legal interpretation, achieved after months of close negotiation between the Foods Standards Agency and the Scottish Crofting Foundation, SCF Director Norman Leask said, “We are very pleased with this new guidance and thank the Food Standards Agency for their efforts on our behalf. Growing food for your own family is an important part of crofting and in many areas, there was widespread concern over the application of these rules.” This guidance will be welcomed in remote areas where crofters produce food for home consumption.

This year the MacNeil Gathering is the week beginning the 1st of August and already we have bookings from all over the world. The official events are two receptions at Kismul Castle on the 3rd and 5th of August, hosted by Macneil & Mrs Macneil of Barra and a Banquet on the evening of Friday the 6th.

It is hoped that other organisations and groups also hold events during this week. Already there is a Produce Fair planned for Wednesday 4th. An invitation is extended to any organisation who would like their event added to the website and into the programme for the Gathering.

Another idea is a Skills Exchange Workshop where local people could show traditional skills and talents and visitors would also bring skills to pass on. Again an open invitation is extended to anyone interested to become involved in the skills workshops.

Don Sturrock, who has been flying into Barra for over 17years, flew his last flight in to Barra last week, when he piloted the Twin Otter on the Barra Glasgow route for the last time. Don, who has flown many Air Ambulance and Twin Otter flights onto the Traigh Mhor was accompanied by Alec Holmes, Loganair’s chief pilot.

To mark the occasion Don received a presentation from Loganair staff from Barra, Campbeltown, Tiree and Islay. As a token of appreciation from the people of Barra, Hugh Douglas, a member of HIAL’s staff but also Chairman of Northbay Community Council presented Don with a framed picture of Kisimul castle. Wearing another gift, an Isle of Barra Sweatshirt, Don is pictured (right) alongside the Twin Otter on the Beach he knows so well!

The Gaelic television programme Obair Là (Working Day), features Michael Campbell, a Vatersay crofter who works part-time as the island’s postman, delivering mail to the scattered, hundred strong, Hebridean community. The postal service on Vatersay is very much in the family tradition. Michael’s mother still runs the small Post Office on the island, and his father served as postman before he retired. In those earlier days, before the road link was built, the mail normally arrived by ferry and the postman’s role included delivering all manner of goods that arrived at the quayside.

Working part-time as a postman gives Michael the flexibility to do other things, such as fishing, tending the family croft or helping to look after his father’s stock of cattle that graze throughout the year on Vatersay’s lush machair. Michael is more widely known as a gifted accordionist who plays with the popular cèilidh band, The Vatersay Boys, whose beautiful music does much to enrich the programme. His father, also an accomplished melodeon player, bought a two-row button accordion in the early 1970s on which ten-year-old Michael soon learned to play his first notes. He and brother Andy began performing at dances on Barra before eventually being joined by other band members Donnie, Paul and Joe to form the current Vatersay Boys line-up.

Work commitments make it difficult for the Vatersay Boys to tour. The band hit the national headlines in May 2003 when the Boys followed the Bhoys all the way to Seville for the UEFA Cup Final between Celtic and Porto.

First Minister, Jack McConnell, announced this week that Loganair have been awarded a two year contract for the Air Services to Barra, Tiree and Campbeltown. Given that, just over one year ago, Barra was fighting to retain it’s air service and only a one year contract had been awarded for the Barra service, this announcement secures the future of the air Service for at least another two years. This gives the Air Service Campaign Group more time to fight for the long term future of the Barra air Service.

The two year contract has been awarded by the Scottish Executive on the basis that there will be a 30% reduction in fares from 1st July, good news for all air service users and will increase the numbers of people using the Air Service. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's Chairman of Transportation, Cllr Donald Manford, has welcomed the news and said "These moves to more reasonably priced fares will be welcomed by all and are recognition of the particular problems of the Islands' economy. The Minister has signalled that he recognises the value of PSOs (Public Service Order) for remote communities and the case put forward by HITRANS for PSOs on an extended network of air routes with a consequent 30% reduction on fares.

There are concerns that the 30% reduction in fares will be cancelled out by the increase in Security Charges for all the HIAL airports. Based on passenger numbers per airport these charges will have a major impact on costs of fares at airports such as Barra and Tiree. The Scottish Executive has also announced that there will be a suspension of security charges for smaller airports pending the outcome of a review which will be undertaken into the impact of these charges.

Regarding the article in the Guth Bharraidh 26th March 2004, about reducing the speed limit, it became apparent that a few points have to be highlighted. It mentioned in the article that there was a petition with over 200 names on it. There was actually 266 names in objection to the proposed reduction and it was not a petition. It was suggested that some people had signed, under the misunderstanding that it was in support of the proposed reduction. It was clearly stated on each paper that the purpose was to collect signatures of those against the proposal. The article also omitted that those present were asked for a show of hands for or against the proposal. The split in those present at the meeting, were approximately two thirds against and one third for.

As well as the normal business, major discussions will be made on the 25th Sliver Celebrations for Next Year. Your opinions and suggestions would be very welcome.

If you can't make it along to the meeting, e-mail John Joe MacNeil (Chairman) on johnjoemacneil@hotmail.com or call him on 01871810756!

Around 60 people turned out on Monday night at Castlebay School to discuss and debate the merits and disadvantages of speed reduction and with both community councils initiative to reduce the speed limit to 40mph on the island. During the meeting it was clear that while opinions were split both for and against, there was a clear consensus that Barra's roads should be made safer in the interests of drivers and pedestrians.

Support for a reduction was outlined by Northern Constabulary's officers Ray Robertson and Gary Fudge. The two officers provided an excellent overview of all the facts and figures and emphasised the need for the community to support an education process with a decrease in speed and an increase in safety.

A petition with over 200 names was presented to the community councils by one community member against the reduction to 40mph. A point was raised that it was considered that many had signed the petition thinking that they were agreeing to the 40mph reduction. However, they were actually signing to keep the 60mph limit. Nevertheless the petition does serve to highlight that there is still room for further consultation in order that the community can make a fully informed decision.

There were clear legitimate concerns in respect of a reduction, the main one being that any declassification of roads could lead to less investment on the upkeep of the roads. This notion was dispelled however and Councillor Donald Manford outlined the Comhairle's commitment to its roads improvement programme, which would continue to identify Barra's main roads as a Primary route. In answer to calls that the condition of the roads were poor and lacked investment, Councillor Manford provided an overview of the roads improvement programme and also outlined the spend that had taken place to date. Some members of the local emergency services present voiced their concerns regarding response times to call outs.

Overall, it was agreed that there are clear issues concerning speed on Barra, particularly in certain villages. There was also a call for a partial reduction of speed at these villages which would also see the introduction of warning signs calling on the motorist to reduce speed.

It was agreed that, to get an accurate opinion from the public, some form of questionnaire would be issued to every household. Hector MacNeil, who very effectively chaired the meeting, called for volunteers to make up a working group with the Community Councils to take the matter forward.

Whatever the decision that the community takes in the end, it was very reassuring to see such a good turn out and to have such a good debate for an issue that the community clearly feels strongly about.

The Community Councils would like to thank Ray and Garry for providing much of the detail and for keeping the community fully informed of the implications.

As part of it’s policy of moving around the Crofting Counties, the Crofters Commission visited Barra last week and held their Board Meeting in Craigard Hotel on Wednesday.

Members of the public were invited to sit in on the Board Meeting where much of the business was taken up by decrofting applications and absentee action.

While in Barra the Board took the opportunity to look at crofting in the area and visited Eoligarry where they met with the Township Clerk, Angus MacLeod, and discussed the potential for tourism development around Eoligarry Pier and Toilets. They also looked at the site across from Eoligarry School which has been earmarked for housing development by Barra & Vatersay Housing Association.

There was considerable interest in the Slaughterhouse at Craigston and they also visited Vatersay to look at potential developments in that Township. Coastal Erosion of the Machair was an area of concern. Their visit to Barra was extended when due to severe weather on Thursday no ferries or planes were operating. A real taste of winter in Barra!

Caledonian MacBrayne have stated that a full inquiry is to be held following an accident at the Ardmhor Terminal last Tuesday. It is reported that a female passenger in a vehicle disembarking from the Cal Mac Ferry, the Loch Linnhe, was hurt and transferred to hospital for treatment. The accident occurred when vehicles were disembarking from the ferry at 9am on its return journey from Eriskay.

There was a good turnout for the meeting held on Monday evening in the Craigard Hotel.

It was clear that by lending full support to the widest variety of community interests within the voluntary sector, VAB&V has underpinned many of the achievements and many projects which are now being sustained throughout the community.

In order to continue and build on its endeavours, it is vital that VAB&V retains the full support of the many regular volunteers and committee members. It is just as important to take full advantage of all the skills and talents of many others on the island who feel they have something to offer and to encourage as many new members as possible. It is hoped that there will be just as many turning up for the committee elections which will take place soon. At a time when Voluntary Services are under review, as much support as possible is needed.

20 young people between the ages of 18 and 30 are to be given the chance to set up their own business in the Western Isles over the next 12 months. The Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) are offering low interest loans and grants worth £120,000 to young entrepreneurs to help them set up and continue in business. Applications are invited from young people with a good business idea who are in need of practical support and financial assistance to help them get started.

Councillor Donald Maclean, Regional Chairman for the PSYBT in the Western Isles said "This represents a great opportunity for young people, who have a business idea that could blossom. All that we ask is that the idea is viable and that they can demonstrate the necessary initiative and commitment to make a go of running their own business".

PSYBT Regional Manager, Jane Campbell said "We can support young people through the various stages of starting a business from 'Do I want to do this?' to writing a Business Plan, to raising finance and once started, keeping going. We would welcome enquiries from anyone with a business idea they want to discuss."

The PSYBT Aftercare programme ensures that the best possible support is available in the initial stages of starting a business. Every new business supported is allocated their own Business Aftercare Adviser who is with them for two years. The Advisers many of whom are volunteers, act as a sounding board for new ideas and help keep the young person on the right path financially.

PSYBT in the Western Isles offers start-up funding and advice to young people aged between 18 and 30, with a business idea. For further information contact:

Jane Campbell, PSYBT Regional Manager, Business Advantage, Town Hall, Stornoway,

Eoligarry school children are to represent Barra in the finals of the Western Isles nrg.biz challenge in Stornoway next Thursday. This challenge is an enterprise competition open to all primary 7 pupils in the Western Isles and, as winners of the Barra Area, PACE, the Eoligarry School Energy Enterprise Company has already won £250 for their school. PACE (Patrick, Annie, Caroline, Eilidh) gave an excellent presentation on their wind/water pump proposal to local business representatives in Craigard Hotel on Tuesday evening. The nrg.biz challenge is part of the Bridge the Gap project, a pilot project working in the Western Isles to encourage Enterprise in Education, bridging the gap between Education and business. The prize for the winners of the Western Isles final is £2000 for their school. So all the best to Sgoil Eolaigearraidh.

The enterprising nature of our school was recognised by the award of TWO National Gold awards. Judges were impressed by the work of Primary and Lower Secondary pupils in a range of enterprise activities.

A large number of activities included the production of a tourism booklet, the ‘Athens Oracle’ priced at 1Euro, several Drama productions, a short animated film, a ‘Fair Trade’ Company and much more. Congratulations to all concerned.

Consultation on Cal Mac timetables for next winter 04/05 and for summer 2005 is now underway. The proposed timetable for next winter is the same as this year and for summer 2005 is the same as 2004. Copies of timetables are available from Voluntary Action Barra.

Consultation on the timetables for summer 2005 should be delayed to see how the new time table works in 2004 as next year we have a complete change of ferry times.

An island full of delighted children celebrated the winter weather this week, when, after many days of hoping the snow eventually fell in sufficient quantities overnight to close all the island schools.

Although there has been severe winter weather from January, this is the first time that the snow showers have stopped travelling horizontally at great speed (in storm force winds) and have settled on the ground in any depth.

School transport was disrupted on Thursday morning, as island roads were treacherous with snow and ice.

Gritting lorries were soon out keeping transport moving but side roads remained difficult until later in the day.

Voluntary Action Barra is Council of Voluntary Service set up to support and develop Community Organisations throughout the island. Established in 1967 as a Council of Social Service, Voluntary Action Barra has worked and provided services in Barra and Vatersay for many years. Supporting the community to improve the economy, supporting groups to campaign for community halls, childcare projects, helping to develop Care Services, providing community transport for all ages and keeping the island informed through the Isle of Barra Website and the Community Newspaper, Guth Bharraidh, of news, events, meetings, funding for projects and grants available for establishing businesses.

All this is under review! The Scottish Executive is carrying out a review of Councils of Voluntary Service throughout Scotland, and we could end up with one Council of Voluntary service per local authority area! (Lets face it—that would not be in Barra) Councils of Voluntary Service are long established in rural and island areas throughout the Islands rural areas of Scotland and funding was recently extended to urban and central belt areas. It appears that the Scottish Executive think all CVS’s should be the same, regardless of the type of area they serve.

Voluntary Action Barra needs your help! We need organisations to be up to date with their membership or to join if they have not already joined. We need new committee members to stand for the Management Board! You cannot take the services provided by the Voluntary Action office and staff for granted. So join now and give us your support! 810401 for info.

The draft winter timetables are due out this week for consultation with Community Council’s. Both Castlebay and Northbay Community Council will be meeting in the coming weeks, so if you have any views on the timetables please approach one of your Community Councillors. The Barra Transportation Committee will then hold a meeting to discuss the islands response and the outcome of the consultation will go back to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Transportation Committee prior to going to Calmac Shipping Services Committee at the beginning of April for approval.

Please remember that the timing of the ferry departure from Oban, particularly on a Sunday, has a bearing on whether the produce we get is as fresh as it could be, given the concerns that have been voiced over recent weeks regarding the Scottish Co-Op.

Residents in the Western Isles face an average increase of 49p per week to finance Council Tax and Water Charges for 2004/05. The Band D figure will be £911 with a Band C rate of £809.78.

A 5.1% increase in Council Tax retains the Western Isles position of having one of the lowest Council tax rates in Scotland. Decreases in water charges have meant a net increase in the combined Council Tax and Water Charge of 2.6%. Whilst the weekly increase for Band D payers is 55p, the majority of residents in the Western Isles are on Band C where there is a 49p weekly increase.

Banding	Council Tax	Water	Sewerage	Net Total	Weekly
@ (band A disabled)	506.11	88.20	99.75	694.06	13.27
A	607.33	105.84	119.70	832.87	15.93
B	708.56	123.48	139.65	971.69	18.58
C	809.78	141.12	159.60	1,110.50	21.24
D	911.00	158.76	179.55	1,249.31	23.89
E	1,113.44	194.04	219.45	1,526.93	29.20
F	1,315.89	229.32	259.35	1,804.56	34.51
G	1,518.33	264.60	299.25	2,082.18	39.82
H	1,822.00	317.52	359.10