No one in Colonsay was quite sure what to expect from 'Dannsa' when they visited last week. Dancing obviously - and music with a Scottish flavour we knew but it wasn't clear how these were going to be presented to us. The school children had had a workshop in the afternoon and we all knew it was good news when we saw most of the school turning up enthusiastically for the evening performance.
The first demonstration dance led skilfully into that most familiar of dances The Gay Gordons for which the whole audience was invited to get on its feet. The music - fiddle and small pipe - with its strong rhythm also had all the non-dancers tapping their feet. The feet of the four dancers tapped out clear and intricate steps and rhythms all evening. We were shown traditional dances from various parts of Scotland and so-called 'old dances' for which we could be given the date of composition and the name of the 'author. We were also shown Dannsa dances made up by the group for their own performances using traditional music, themes and patterns but with their own special twists and turns.
One dance sequence, for which the tune and timing was provided by an unaccompanied female voice was based on the wauking songs of the Outer Hebrides and included steps and patterns inspired by the rhythms of spinning and weaving. For quite a number of the audience this was their first introduction to Gaelic singing - and an excellent one it was too.
There were several more opportunities for everyone to join the dancers; a Canadian Barn Dance - Colonsay style; Strip-the-Willow - Orcadian style and a Circassian Circle in a definitely-not-Colonsay manner! We think we might try that one ourselves - maybe! There was also, of course, a sword dance in which quite sensibly the audience were not invited to join.
The whole evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended and all 8 of the Dannsa troupe looked as if they too were having a really good evening. We hope they will come back next year. G.H.
Andrew Abrahams spotted an unusual bird at the Strand, which proved upon investigation to be an Egret. This is the first time once has been seen in Colonsay, which is well to the north of its normal range, but the species has been noted in southern England and is thought to be another sign of global warming. The Colonsay visitor made friends with the Garvard heronry and spent at least one night in their company.
The island is beautifully arrayed in all the glory of her summer plumage - on Sunday, somewhat inexpert observers were able to identify 71 species of flowers, trees and shrubs between Balerominmor road end and the cattle grid, without leaving the road. No doubt readers can easily beat this record (but grasses were excluded as too difficult).
There is always some particularly spectacular display to be seen - this week, try to get a chance to visit the new business-units close to the Village Hall; the hillock behind them is an absolute riot of foxgloves and yellow iris, which has to be seen to be believed.
On 15 June, "Lady Jayne" was returning from the bird-cliffs and passing about 300 metres northwest of Bogha Enil na Sulair when she encountered a Basking Shark. The fin was like the corner of a sheet of plywood, stock still and standing some 4 feet out of the water; the fish itself was clearly visible, perhaps 6 metres in length, mouth agape, about fifteen feet out from the gunwhale; it seemed utterly oblivious of the prescence of the boat. It was about 6pm, about an hour after high tide a few days before springs.
Strimming the seaweed seemed like a good idea...
In some countries anti-radon barriers must be provided by law in all new buildings. Here we are a bit more relaxed, but in one building at Scalasaig it was found that the background level was equal to each resident smoking 15 full-strength cigarettes per day. A few weeks ago, a house in Ireland was demolished, having been discovered to have had the highest radon level ever found. It was, unfortunately, the ill-health of the occupants which brought the issue to light. The following information is from an official source:
What is radon?
It is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which has no colour, smell or taste
Where does radon come from?
It comes from the minute amounts of uranium present in all earth materials such as rocks, soils, brick and concrete
What are the effects of radon?
An increased lifetime risk of lung cancer
What is the Action Level for radon?
The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) recommends that radon levels should be reduced in homes where the average is more than 200 becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3). This recommendation has been endorsed by the Government.
What is the risk at the Action Level?
People living all their lives at the Action Level run the risk of a few percent of developing lung cancer. On average, about one in thirty people exposed for a lifetime at the Action Level would be expected to develop lung cancer.
Does radon cause leukaemia?
The main danger from high radon exposure is the increased risk of lung cancer. If there is any risk of leukaemia, it is, by comparison, extremely small.
Where can I obtain more advice on health risks associated with radon?
NRPB can provide advice and guidance on the health risks associated with radon.
Is radon a problem everywhere in the UK ?
Radon is present in all parts of the UK, but in the most populous areas the levels are quite low. Some of the highest levels have been found in the south west, but levels well above average have been found in some other parts of England and parts of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. However, even in these areas most homes have low levels.
Is radon a problem in any other countries?
Yes. All countries are affected to some degree by radon, but the problem is receiving particular attention in Sweden, the other Nordic countries, Germany and the USA.
If you would like to speak to somebody about radon please phone the
Radon Hotline on 01923 664707
More to the point, why not do a test? Obviously, it is better to make provision whilst building a new house, but existing houses can be adapted where required. If you do have a test, the results remain confidential in order to protect property values … conversely, a low reading might be something worth mentioning. The following notes are from Building Control, Northern Ireland:
Existing Houses
Radon can enter a house through joints or cracks in floors or walls next to the ground or through gaps around service pipes. If you are concerned about radon in your home, particularly of you live in a radon affected area, the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) will enable you to carry out a test to find out the level of radon in your house; some tests may be free or there may be a charge of approximately £35.00. You should contect the Industrial Pollution and Radio Chemical Inspectorate, Environmental and Heritage Service; tel 028 9025 4754 for further information.
Radon Tests
A radon monitoring measuring service is provided by:-
The National Radiological Protection Board at NRPB, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0RQ; or on NRPB Radon Freephone 0800-614529
How radon enters a house
The test requires two radon detectors (small circular discs about 70mm diameter) to be placed at certain locations in the house for up to 3 months. These are then returned to the NRPB who will analyse the information from the detectors and send back the results to you. The information is not disclosed to anyone else.
Kilchattan School learning about whales on "Silurian"
A mechanical fault on MV "Isle of Mull" meant that our Wednesday ferry on 16 June would have to spread herself more thinly. As a result, MV "Hebridean Isles" went at short notice to relieve the situation and Colonsay had to settle for a revised timetable. Fortunately, the timetable does carry a warning about such eventualities and it proved possible to provide connections between Colonsay, Port Askaig and Oban. It was disappointing that the day-visitors from Islay were thwarted. Although there was very little notice, word spread quite quickly and it is thought that there was minimum inconvenience. CalMac issued an immediate press release and have asked us to apologise to all customers who may have been affected. The problem with MV "Isle of Mull" is thought to have centred on a transformer and normal services will be restored to Colonsay from Thursday 17 June.
"The Glynns", Volume 32, Journal of the Glens of Antrim Historical Society, is now to hand and up to its usual high standard. An article by Hector McDonnell briefly reviews "The Career of Randal Arranagh MacDonnell, First Earl of Antrim" and will be of interest to Colonsay readers. Anyone interested in pre-18th century history in the Inner Hebrides will be interested by the work of this society and should seek further information at www.antrimhistory.net
Rather more ambitious is the 5 Volume "Leabhar Genealach - The Great Book of Irish Genealogies" by Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh, translated and edited by Nollaig O Muraile. The work was compiled during the Cromwellian Wars and "has long been recognised as the most important source for the study of Irish family history". It is now available in its entirety and for the first time, the fruit of thirty years of devoted scholarship. First impressions of this long-awaited publication are very encouraging; regular readers of "The Corncrake" will be pleased to know that St. Buo has been included, although it will take some time to follow up the cross-referencing. As yet, no attempt has been made to trace any of the obvious Colonsay families, but anyone wishing to know more should note that the work is published by De Burca in Dublin: www.deburcararebooks.com
There was a small turnout by the public at the AGM (namely Calum Kennedy) and the Secretary's report outlined the work of the last year. Medical Services, Planning matters, Ferry services, Freight service, IaaO, Telephones and the Refuse service had all been addressed. BT have now installed a working public telephone, and Broadband (via Zednet) should be available next month.
There have been one or two other small successes, but there is an ongoing level of concern about freight services and costs. It seems that an additional charge has been unilaterally imposed in recent weeks, whereby customers are charged for the uplift of goods as well as their carriage to the island; indeed, we hear that in Tiree there is a third bite at the collective cherry, whereby customers are charged for delivery of their goods. Illustrative costs at present for carriage from Oban to Colonsay pier, excluding delivery but including the uplift fee include: Tesco Order £10.00; washing machine £24.45; small lawnmower £15.00.
Esme Marshall has made progress with a CC-inspired Road Safety notice, which will hopefully be laminated for distribution to all holiday accommodation in Colonsay. The CC have agreed to hold a special commemorative ceremony at the War Memorial at 6pm on 20th July, to mark the 80th anniversary of the original dedication; full details will be posted up in advance and invitations are to be sent to all household.
Response to the "environmental" questions raised in recent issues of The Corncrake has been good, and it is hoped that a report will be given to the CC meeting in July. Interestingly, correspondents seem to have identified a collective attitude-problem as more significant than specific examples of eyesores. Any remaining submissions remain welcome.
The "Black Prince" brought more than 400 people to Colonsay as part of a National Trust cruise, piloted by Captain Colin Billimore, her first visit for thirty years; John Barraclough and Louise Perry were married in an open-air ceremony at Kiloran Bay, followed by a reception for more than 60 guests at Colonsay Hotel and dancing to "Follow that Camel"; a large turnout locally for the European Elections will have had about as much effect as usual; Calum Kennedy and "Mobility Scotland" are investigating a courtesy vehicle which could be used to assist disabled persons at the pier; Charlie, the hotel chef, has acquired a rather minimalist craft with unusual weight:power ratio characteristics (watch this space); a red plane arrived at Machrins the other day, from which there alighted a young man in a wetsuit and carrying a harpoon-gun but with no discernible box of chocs; a magnificent new Hereford bull has arrived for Kiloran Farm, direct from Hereford itself
Mr & Mrs Barraclough
Please note that there is also a Notice Board on the Homepage; anybody wishing to publicise any event or attraction is invited to send details to the Editor.
Mondays, 6 - 7pm in Hall - YOGA @ £2.00 per session. Call Jo 0789 907 0153 for details
July 5th - Community Council meeting at Village Hall
July 6th - Pedie and Jen MacNeill in concert
July 10th - Ceilidh in aid of Poppy Appeal
July 13th - Pedie and Jen MacNeill in concert
July 17th - Hall Committee's Ceilidh
July 20th - Commemorative ceremony on 80th anniversary of the War Memorial, 6pm
July 20th - Pedie and Jen in concert
July 27th - Pedie and Jen in concert
July 31st - Hall Committee's Ceilidh
August 2nd - Community Council meeting at Village Hall
August 3rd - Pedie and Jen in concert
August 7th - The Visitors' Ceilidh, in aid of Hall funds
August 10th - Pedie and Jen in concert
August 12th - Development ompany's Ceilidh
August 17th - Pedie and Jen in concert
August 21st - Golf Club Ceilidh
August 24th - Pedie and Jen in concert
August 31st - Pedie and Jen in concert
Badminton on every Tuesday and Thursday
Football on Wednesdays
Dental Visit: 6 - 8 July Call 01688 302105 to book appointment
Colonsay House & Gardens, open each Wednesday 12 - 5pm. Light lunches and Afternoon Teas. Also Fridays, 3 - 5pm Afternoon Teas
Lobster and Crab: Freshly caught, telephone Bill Lawson 01951 200315
Village Hall for rent: Ceilidhean, dances etc. £50; private parties £75; weddings £100
The Pantry Restaurant:
Sunday 2.30 - 8pm
Monday - Friday 9am - 8pm
Saturday 9am - 6pm
The Village Stores
Monday - Friday 9am - 1pm; 2pm - 5.30pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm
CHURCH SERVICES: Weekly Services are held each Sunday at 11.30 a.m. The Church of Scotland and the Baptist Church work closely together and frequently hold joint services - please see notice at Shop for details of venue. All are welcome and our visitors are cordially invited to join the island congregation. Immediate schedule is:
20th June Mike Rattenbury, at Baptist Church
27th June Lars Ruden, at Church of Scotland
4th July John Cook, at Baptist Church
11th July John Cook, at Church of Scotland
18th July Laurence Waring, at Baptist Church
BOAT TRIPS: Daily boat trips operate throughout the season; details are elsewhere on this site, also comprehensive brochures are available at Hotel, Shop, Pantry, Bookshop etc.
Note: On most Saturdays, an all-day guided trip to the top of the Paps of Jura (2,570ft)
June 23rd ... special evening trip (weather permitting) to see dawn of Midsummer from the summit
IONA ... All day trip to Iona, July 10, July 24, August 7, August 21
Colonsay Boat Hire
STOKES MEMORIALS will be in Colonsay in June to work at the graveyard. Telephone 01369 702162 for further details.
Clan Macfie will be holding its 15th International Gathering and 9th Clan Parliament in Inverness from 6th to 11th September 2005. This will be followed immediately by a Clan visit to the historic homeland the Islands of Colonsay and Oronsay.
Dates for the Colonsay visit are (subject to CalMac timetables in 2005) arrive on Sunday 11th September, depart on Wednesday 14th September or later should members so wish.
All Clan members have been notified that they are individually responsible for arranging their own accommodation reservations and payments.
Further details from: Clan Macfie Secretariat Email: macfie@austarnet.com.au
Clan Macfie Home Page address: http://home.austarnet.com.au/macfie/macfie.htm
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.
Dear Kevin
Until I read the most recent issue of the Corncrake I had no idea that the work that was carried out recently had been done not by the Council, but by local people getting together on a voluntary basis and doing the job. I would like to place on record my thanks to them for their efforts.
Like many others I was very upset that the grass had been left to grow - making what I feel should be a quiet pleasant resting place, look so neglected and wild. The neglected appearance is obviously very upsetting to those of us who have loved ones buried there, but must also give a very bad impression to our many visitors who go in there either to visit the graves of friends who have died or to research family ties.
Most of your readers will have at least glimpsed Pennyfuir graveyard on the outskirts of Oban which is always kept in an immaculate condition, and I recently visited the graveyard at Duror which is also well maintained. Why is Colonsay left behind - do we pay less for our plots - or less Council Tax - I think not! I intend writing to the Council on this matter - and while on the subject I agree that the play area round the school also looks neglected - as you say - the dead and the children cannot complain.
Thanks for bringing this situation out into the open.
Yours sincerely
Eleanor McNeill
Dear Kevin, this isn't just a list of "sites which are particularly untidy or unappealing", but a general growl intended for publication if you will accept it.
Frank's original letter in Corncrake #93 was heartfelt, and your point in the latest issue (#96) about the "fiscal value to the beauty of the island" was well made and I strongly agree with it. However......
Builders' rubble, black plastic, old fencing, dead sheep, dead cars, overgrown graveyard, distress visitors and might even deter them from coming here again - and may be symptomatic of deeper neglect .. ... but these things in themselves are transient. Tidy up the island, do a little cosmetic landscaping in front of the Hall - what has really happened? Tidy graves, tidy ruins, tidy verges ("where have all the flowers gone ...?") ...
What about the fundamental changes, the real losses that cannot just be tidied up? Decline of the flora in former hay meadows, more and more gravel extraction from the raised beaches, and sand extraction from the dunes for all our new houses, Glassard to be a holiday-home estate, and proposals for another on the lovely green stretch between the Pantry and the Church, the little glen opposite the old Mill torn apart by felling and breaking the canopy for a powerline, the airstrip to a get a new runway, a splendid terminal building, and a hangar... No point listing these anonymously for the Community Council to tidy up, is there...
And then, when the tidying up projects have done their best, could it be our Editor himself (?) who leads the demand to send the Vogons with machinery to smash up the south side of the Harbour and, later, all that lovely shore beyond, full of rocks and crevices, to accommodate more Yachtties and elderly boy-racers in speed boats?
What price visitors' first impressions of the island then? And how will those respond who've always loved what's left of the Harbour as it is now? Well, I suppose it will eventually look tidy, pontoons and all that - personally I prefer the cattle pens and sheep shit, but that's a wacky minority point of view again I'm sure...
Yours furiously,
Angela "disgusted-of-Kilchattan"
PS when I'm in my lair at Kilchattan I'm going to be sprouting NETTLES (for the peacock butterflies.... ), and I'll HAUNT anyone who strims them .....
Dear Kevin
Just wanted to send you the attached little verse and to say how much we enjoyed our trip to Colonsay and also to thank you and Frank for our trip on Lady Jane. Take it you didn't make it to Jura the next day? Hope you got your fuel sorted out. [Yes, thank you, everything tickety boo - Editor]
Best of luck for the future to you and all on the island.
Liz Sealy
I've just come back from your beautiful isle
The memories of which can still make me smile.
The beaches, the scenery, the sound of the sea
The peace and the people did all enthral me.
A coffee at the Pantry accompanied by a bun
Dear May to serve us while we sat in the sun.
A trip on the Lady Jane was one of the highlights
A trip round the island to see all the sights.
The beaches on the island were some of the best
For cleaness, for beauty, they passed every test.
Colonsay House Gardens was another nice surprise
The flowers, trees and birds were a sight for sore eyes.
One of the blessings was the lack of noise
To sit and just gaze - was one of our joys
The munching of the cows - the baaas of the sheep
And at the end of the day, food, drink and a sleep.
All good things have to come to an end
So after a week our way home we did wend
Back to the rat race, the daily old grind
The memories of Colonsay still fresh in the mind.
So thank you for sharing your beautiful home
We'll remember you fondly wherever we roam.
And some time in the future we'll come back for sure
To visit your heaven on earth one time more.
Elizabeth Sealy
Colonsay May 21st - 28th.2004.
Dear Kevin Byrne
I help to run the Islay Wildlife Information Centre in Port Charlotte where we keep a database of natural history records for Islay, together with a more limited number of, mainly published, records for Colonsay and Jura.
I have just been approached by Butterfly Conservation Scotland, who have funds which they are hoping they can use for the production this summer of a provisional atlas of the butterflies of the three islands. This would consist of a distribution map for each species, together with a coloured illustration and a brief comment on habitat, abundance, etc.
I have looked through the Nature column in 'The Corncrake' and have extracted any butterfly records published there, but would like to appeal to the readers of 'The Conrcrake' for observations which would help make the maps more complete for Colonsay. I would very much appreciate receiving any sightings made of all the butterflies, even the very common ones, like Small Tortoiseshell or Cabbage White. And I'm interested in records for past years, too, to help gain a fuller picture for the island and perhaps see if there have been any changes.
All I need is the location and the date. It doesn't matter if these are only approximate, particularly for records from past years.
I would be most grateful if records could be sent to me at The Islay Wildlife Information Centre, Port Charlotte, Isle of Islay, PA49 7UN, or by e-mail to MAOgilvie@indaal.demon.co.uk.
All records will be acknowledged and if Butterfly Conservation Scotland are able to go ahead with publication, I will make sure that copies of the atlas will be available on Colonsay.
Malcolm Ogilvie
Dear Kevin,
Some time ago I e-mailed you about my grandfather William Henry Boland whose grave is at Kilchattan old churchyard.
This week my friend myself and younger daughter travelled to Colonsay to visit the grave,this was achieved with the help of Charlie who not only took us there but gave us history and local knowledge. Although only brief vistors to your wonderful island it was a visit that will stay with us forever We spent a very comfortable night with Donald and Mary and we will never forget the kindness and help received from Charlie and the very delicious food we sampled at the pantry.
We were told volunteers had cut the grass because the council had withdrawn this facility and so I will be in touch with the War Graves Commission and, although only a small voice, hopefully I will be heard and they might be able to offer some assistance.
Again our thanks to everyone on Colonsay and, who knows, one day we may get the opportunity to return.
Our very best wishes
Jan and Gemma Baldwin & Ann Howells
Editor's note: William Boland is one of four sailors buried in Colonsay and Oronsay who perished with the loss of all hands, 295 souls, in the wreck of HMS "Viknor", 13 January 1915. Their names, with details of the ship, are included in "Colonsay's Fallen" by Alan Davis, to be published on July 20th.
The Magazine Section
