FERRY DISPUTE
As far as is known, there has been good progress in talks between CalMac management and the RTM Trade Union; there is no doubt that both sides wish to reach an amicable settlement and there is little to suggest that any disruption to services will take place. For various reasons, the timescale has shifted and it is believed that in any event no action can take place before September 8th.
Nonetheless, intending visitors should book ahead, should ensure that they comply with the terms of their travel or holiday insurance and should make all prepayments by use of a credit card, to ensure maximum protection. In the unlikely event of a deteriorating situation, the latest available information will be posted prominently on the Colonsay website Homepage. Such information would be strictly truthful and would be updated as often as appropriate, every day or even every few hours if it was changing.
COLONSAY DIARY
Well, it is a pity to have to disappoint our readers but the hectic pace of life in recent weeks has been such that nobody could have kept up with it. There have been some splendid ceilidhean in the Village Hall, and there was the wedding of a lady whose grandfather, Captain McGuffie, launched himself on his career by stowing away on a trading smack at Oransay. Angus has been very busy as MC and has been boldly orchestrating some of the more difficult dance routines. Wee Davy (ably supported by many helpers) raised a further mammoth sum for the Poppy Day Appeal, the Hotel hosted a buffet supper and Kate Garvard expressed a desire to see the Regatta re-established as soon as possible.
School has re-opened and there are additional pupils - Holly and Lewis Nisbet from Mull Dubh join Ryan, Emma and Katie Gallagher as new pupils, whilst old-stager Lewis MacLeod has moved up from pre-school to Primary status. Jasmin and Glen Brown plus Morag Grant and Calum McNeill were there to see them right, and will soon be re-joined by Liam and Caitlin McNeill, away just now at a family wedding.
Mo Middleton had a brilliant 18th birthday party with great music provided by the MacAllisters from Campbeltown in association with Donald MacAllister of Colonsay; great hospitality and entertainment, with Mo doing well to hold his own in the face of strong competion from his engaging and talented siblings. Jen MacNeill is away shortly to a year's study in Benbecula, the new house at Balerulin will have underfloor heating, work has started on a three-year programme of conservation at Oransay Priory, Hughie passed his driving test and a visitor injured his shoulder whilst surfing. After lengthy delays, the new mobile phone system is fully functional:
NATURE
After a summer of brilliant weather, it is hard to know what to mention. Perhaps the most impressive native flora has included Purple Loosestrife, Grass of Parnassus and Devil's Bit Scabious. Mombretia is a bit more exotic and is widespread in both its original (red) form and also the rather vulgar (orange) hybrid - in both guises, it has been spectacular until the gales of this week.
For many people, the magnificently incongruous specimen of Verbascum in the rough ground beside the Old Hall was a particular delight. The Editor admits that he thought at first that it was a brassica gone to seed, but closer inspection was rewarded. Standing at more than two metres in height, it would have tethered a pony. According to Murdoch McNeill it was known in Colonsay as Coinneal Mhuire ("Our Lady's Candlestick"), and he also mentions it as Mullein (Latin mollis = "soft" leaves) and Cow's Lungwort. "Introduced, and growing naturally from seed" the specimen at the Old Hall is likely to have originated in the gardens of Colonsay house, where it can be seen close to Tobar Odhran.
Grigson includes it amongst Scropulariaceae and gives many names, of which Aaron's Road is the most widely known. He quotes Henry Lyte who, in 1578, wrote that "The whole toppe with its pleasant yellow floures sheweth like to a wax candle or taper cunningly wrought."
"The Lord said to Moses, "Tell the people of Israel to give you twelve sticks, one from the leader of each tribe. Write each man's name on his stick and then write Aaron's name on the stick representing Levi … the stick of the man I have chosen will sprout." …. The next day, when Moses went into the Tent, he saw that Aaron's stick, representing the tribe of Levi, had sprouted. It had budded, blossomed and produced ripe almonds!"
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
A public meeting was held to discuss a proposal to purchase certain croft lands and to create six new crofts to attract new residents to the island. The intention is to encourage young people to settle in Colonsay and raise a family and the need was underlined by the fact that no eligible individual attended the meeting. How could they? There are few in the eligible age group and, sadly, even some of those are actively preparing to follow others who have already left.
The whole issue is being discussed in detail by the Development Company and it is understood that this will lead to an informed referendum to be held in the near future. For many of the existing residents, this initiative comes far too late, and clearly we can never regain the families we have lost; but we cannot go back and we cannot stand still - it is important that all residents study these proposals with great care. The lesson of St. Kilda is very clear - most of the population was getting along very nicely, but an increasing burthen had fallen upon the shoulders of a shrinking number of younger folk. When those younger folk reached the buffers, the game was up.
There has also been some activity to do with "Better Neighbourhood Services", with various high-head-yins here talking about Community Police, Roads, Pensions, Benefits, Energy Conservation, Home Safety etc. No doubt it is all helpful, and it would be good to have some firm information for publication, perhaps after they have all gone away again.
The proposed air service has also come to life again. Various individuals have been contacted and nobody locally will be surprised to know that there is to be a survey to assess demand. Again.
VISITORS' CEILIDH
An old tradition has been revived this week in Colonsay. "The Visitors' Ceilidh" used to be one of the highlights of the busy summer season but it has disappeared over the last twenty years. It is hoped that the huge success of this week's event, held for the first time in the New Hall, will mean that this special Ceilidh run by some of the island's most regular and long-standing visitors will again become a fixture in the calendar.
The McNichols and the Middletons, both families who have recently built for themselves "second" homes on Colonsay, were the prime movers and the younger members of the families as well as all the parents were much in evidence as were many other "old friends"…. Mike McNichol was an heroic and tireless MC, calling up to the stage a succession of (mostly) young performers from a multi-talented group of visitors. A young lady sang to us in Welsh - possibly a first for Colonsay; Tom and Emily, both accomplished fiddlers, gave us a number of lively tunes; Duncan McNicholl played the accordion; Elsie sang; Frank Nicholson (NOT A VISITOR) also sang, making unusual use of the microphone; Keith Johnson and Mike entertained us all hugely with a turn that defies categorisation and above all everyone danced….and danced.
The evening started with games and dancing for the very young and by 9.00pm the Hall - and the car park - was full with locals and visitors of every age. Special thanks are due to Catriona Milligan (nee McAllister) and George Brolly for collecting the hall amplifier from repairs in Glasgow in the nick of time for this occasion. The sandwiches were extra special and there was even TEA (another tradition that has been dying out of late). Plenty of raffle prizes had been donated and a photograph from Brian Hindmarch's recent exhibition was auctioned. The princely sum of £870 was raised for Hall funds. Thank you to everyone and especially to those whom I have failed to mention by name!. G H
"Heads down, tails up, Dabbling Free" - the Middletons at playBOOK REVIEW
Brian Hindmarch's new book about Colonsay was published recently and as the Editor of "The Corncrake" is a partner in the publishing company, he must confess to an interest. On the other hand, it is only fair to say that it has been very well received and that it is selling fast. Under the Editor's hat, a totally unsolicited review has been received from a reader who knows and loves Colonsay. Name and address were supplied, but our correspondent did not wish to have them published - the review follows verbatim:
"Brian Hindmarch's book 'Colonsay, elements of an island' is exquisite, glorious. The photographs express the wonder of the universal - wild, wide sea/land/skyscapes; the passion of the particular - clustered shells and solitary irises. He captures the very essence of an t-eilean cholasa. The format, layout and restrained verbiage of the book itself renders this an object to be treasured. He has created a physical talisman for the muses of another artist who found inspiration on the island.
Thomas A. Clark wrote on a visit to Colonsay: 'On a small island, the feeble purchase that the land obtains between the sea and the sky, the drifting of mist and the intensity of light, unsettles the intellect and opens the imagination to larger and more liquid configurations.'
Maybe both of them have revealed the elements that secretly pull people back to the island year after year.
Thank you Brian and thank you Publisher."
Retail price is £12.95 plus postage. Copies can be purchased worldwide using the secure on-line facilities provided at www.houseoflochar.com and of course currency is converted automatically at the rate prevailing on the date of purchase.
COLONSAY COASTGUARD
Our picture shows some of the Coastguard Team practicing stretcher work during a recent visit by colleagues from Oban. The casualty arose like Lazarus for the photocall, and all her friends will be delighted with this image of Irene Reid, who is an Auxiliary Coastguard in Oban.
(next week: Sid in Latex...
Clockwise: Ross Moodie, Hugh McNeill, Angus MacFadyen, Irene Reid, Andrew Abrahams, Sid Bowman (Team Leader), Les Robinson
EEEK!
Dear Sir
I am hoping that you might be able to publish the following request in the
"Corncrake" -
The small mammals (mice and shrews) of the Hebridean, Orkney and Shetland
Isles were accidentally introduced to the islands by stone age or later
settlers, following the end of the last Ice Age some 10,000 years ago. They
are often distinctive in appearance and tend to be much larger than their
mainland relatives. Over the last 100 years or so, there have been a number
of attempts to study them, to try to work out which are most closely related
and where they originate from, but the results have been somewhat tentative.
I am currently working on a project, using DNA sequences, which I hope will
resolve this issue. As well as shedding light on the origins and evolution
of the animals themselves, the study may also provide new information about
the source of the early human settlers who brought them.
To carry out the project, I need the remains of animals from as many islands
as possible, including Colonsay. If anyone has a cat that brings in mice or
shrews, or is trapping them around their house, and is willing to collect
and keep them for me, then I would be really grateful. Even incomplete
remains of animals can be used to extract DNA, so it doesn't matter what
condition they are in. The only thing is that they must be wrapped in a
plastic bag and stored in a freezer, along with a note of the place and date
they were found, until they can be sent to me.
If anyone is willing and able to help me, then I would appreciate it very
much. I can be contacted on 0131 247 4328 or by e-mail jsh111@york.ac.uk.
Yours in anticipation,
Jerry Herman
No picture of a shrew to hand, but here is a slow-worm pictured this week....INNES DAVID MACMILLAN
Congratulations to Yvonne and David MacMillan on the birth of their son, Innes David, on 2nd August at Paisley Royal Infirmary.
The photo was supplied by proud grandmother Ishbel Strachan (nee McFadyen). We do not know the weight, so no problems there (see Letters, below). And apologies for having mistaken the name in our original report.
WHAT'S ON IN COLONSAY
The Colonsay International Golf Open 2003 will be held on Saturday 23rd August at 1pm
The Annual Root and Produce Show will be held on Saturday 11th October. A buffet supper will be held in the Hotel on the same evening with music and
song from local artists.
Mondays 6.00 - 7.15pm, Village Hall
RAQS SHARQI - EGYPTIAN DANCE
Raqs Sharqi is the traditional women's dance of Egypt. It originates in the gypsy dances of the Middle East and North Africa. In a contemporary form it is enjoyed by women all over the world.
Classes are suitable for women of all ages and fitness levels. Raqs Sharqi is great for increasing strength and flexibility and classes take place in a relaxing and friendly atmosphere. Island residents, visitors and children - all are welcome!
Miki Perkins has studied Raqs Sharqi for five years. She taught regular classes in Australia and continues to enjoy sharing this unique dance form with others. Participants should wear loose, comfortable clothing.
"Tides" Seafood Shop - Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday 1 - 5.30pm
Colonsay House Gardens - every Wednesday and Friday afternoon; refreshments are available
Boat Trips - daily, obtain brochure at Hotel, Pantry, Shop, P.O., Bookshop or Pier.
Note: On Mondays, the service to Port Askaig connects with the Kennacraig ferry.
Quiz in the Hotel every THURSDAY at 9.30 pm.
Quiz-Night Special - 3 Course Meal 6 - 8 pm @ £12.50
Evening Meals: 6pm - 9pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
5pm - 9.30pm on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Lunches served daily 12 - 2.30pm
Bar open: 12 - 2.30 and 6pm till late (from 5pm on Friday and Sunday).
The Pantry - Summer hours apply
Tel 01951 200325
Church Service
Please note that services in both the Baptist Church and the Church of Scotland are at the new time of 11.30hrs. Services are held every Sunday in August in both churches - see notices in the shop and hotel for further details.
CAROLINA SCOTS CELEBRATION:
November 28 - 30 at The Fair Barn, Pinehurst, North Carolina. A commemoration of the 1803 arrival of Daniel Kelly from the Isle of Skye, but a weekend of activity that will appeal to anybody who can make it to the venue. More information on www.carolinascots.com
TOPICAL LETTERS
For convenience of readers, letters now appear in two sections. Anything to do with current events appears here, and letters to do with the Magazine section or historical research etc. will appear at the end of the Magazine section.
Re. Memorial Repairs
Dear Sir, just to confirm we would be willing to come over and carry our work on the island this year if enough interest is shown. Please urge your readers to get in touch a.s.a.p., the last time I was there was in 1970 and I was the first stonemason on the island for many many years. It is a beautiful island and your web.site is excellent, regards, Ronnie (Stokes Memorials).
Dear Editor
I believe that closer inspection of the New Jerusalem proposal will reveal that it will indeed take place, but only at the time appointed by the author Himself. Whilst the machinations of Mr B L Zeebub are vociferous, they are no more than the planner anticipated and can be thoroughly ignored in view of his impending demise to "Nae view!"
No doubt similar objections will be raised by various waterborne operators once it is realised that the transport to the new development is subject to a monopoly, being entirely out of this world.
I trust this clarifies the situation.
Yours
Revd. Neil Pheasant
Recently of Sgreadan Cottage
Dear Kevin,
I remain somewhat mystified as to the true objects of your splendid apocalyptic scatter of bullshit -
But - whoever wants New Jerusalem, when the Old one is so much lovelier?
There are New Towns all over the mainland already - should the island really try to become a wee Cumbernauld-on-Sea? I mean, who needs all that chalcedonie and sardonyx stuff, when we've already got Meadow Cranesbill and Irish Lady's Tresses?
Angela (devil's advocate of Kilchattan....)
[Reply: to be honest, I was merely expressing doubt that British Architecture had reached the pinnacle of its perfection with the construction of Glassard in 1923. What about the Dome, the Millenium Bridge or the new Scottish Parliament? - Editor]
Dear Kevin Byrne,
Congratulations on your excellent Corncrake which we have just accessed for the first time. I would like to make two comments, the first fairly serious the second almost invisibly trivial but an irritating bee in my bonnet nonetheless.
(1) I hope full attention will be given to Mr Alastair Scouller's excellent, well balanced letter. Like perhaps many other visitors who love Colonsay, we (who have been coming for over 30 years) have very mixed feelings over the steady increase in development , especially new holiday housing. One fully sympathises with the need for some developments and for the vital need for islanders to have work available; but please do not kill the goose that lays the golden eggs---and they are indeed golden!
(2) Please could Emma Jean not have simply weighed 6lb 12oz, rather than the horribly fashionable "weighed in at " ? I only justify mentioning this in the hope that there will be many more such happy events to be reported in the Corncrake.
Yours sincerely, John Slee
Gullane, East Lothian
Dear Kevin,
I write to add my support to the sentiments expressed in Alastair Scouller's letter, which appeared in issue 80 of the Corncrake.
While the island cried out for this kind of development for many years there has to come a point where the current spate of new houses starts to have an adverse effect on what makes Colonsay so special. As Alastair notes, the opportunities that now exist for islanders to build and own their own homes are to be applauded and it is good to see so many doing just that. However, one has to worry about the number of second/holiday homes being built (or to be built) and the likely continuation of this trend. Although they can add to the general prosperity of the community surely so many empty houses detracts from the overall ambience of the island.
It is, of course, difficult to see what can be done in the future to balance the continued need for development (not just in terms of housing) with the need to maintain what attracts people to the island in the first place. I am pleased to see that the Community Council will now consider all future housing applications, although it is perhaps unfortunate that they were not doing this as a matter of course anyway. I hope that the planning authorities take the opinions of the council, and of the wider community, seriously when considering applications.
Regards,
Iain MacAllister,
No 4 Glassard
PS. This is not some sort of concerted campaign by the Glassard Mafia!!
[NOTE: The above contributions reflect a considerable interest in the whole question of future development in Colonsay. From casual conversation it is clear that there are a wide range of opinions and that there is a genuine and wide-ranging debate flourishing at present. Comments published here seem to be noted and reflected in that debate, so additional correspondence on the subject will be welcomed. We cannot publish anonymous contributions, but name and address can be withheld upon request - Editor]
The Magazine Section
