Ferry fares protest, T'weed and a Lemon Tree
.
By Alison Prince
Thursday, 11 March 2010
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MP defends free ferry fares for Arran pensioners
From April 1st, Strathclyde Passenger Transport will charge concession-card holders 60p single, £1 return per journey, and say this is necessary in order to keep the concession scheme going at all. CalMac is passing this charge on to its passengers. However, Western Ferries, who will be providing a new service to Brodick, has announced that pensioners will continue to travel free on their ferries.
Katy Clark MP has written to CalMac and asked them to waive the new fees as Western Ferries are doing. She says, ‘I have been contacted by a number of constituents who are concerned about these fares. The ferry is a vital link for these residents, and one which must remain affordable for all. Islanders rely on this service in the same way as people on the mainland do their local bus services. My fear is that this may be the thin end of the wedge and free bus passes for pensioners may be under threat next.’
Tenacious T’weed in Brodick Hall
This is not an outbreak of rhododendron disease but a splendid Music Society concert being given on Saturday, March13th by a quirkily-named group of three amazing young musicians. Alexa Mason, soprano, Gemma Carlin, clarinet and Christopher Baxter, piano, offer a marvellously mixed bag, ranging from Schubert to moderns. They are becoming well known in Scotland, with new music being composed for them, so at 7.30 pm in Brodick Hall this Saturday we are in for a treat.
The proposed programme starts with 3 Vocalises for Soprano and Clarinet by Vaughan Williams, followed by Schubert’s The Shepherd on the Rock and then the Horovitz Sonatine for Clarinet and Piano. After the interval they move into three songs from Walton’s ever-delightful ‘Façade’ Suite. Christopher plays 3 Preludes from Book 1 of Debussy’s piano solos, then there is La Lune Blanche for Soprano, Clarinet and Piano by Roger Steptoe. The concert ends with McCabe’s 3 Folksongs for Soprano, Clarinet and Piano.
Colourful ‘people’ at the Co
Brodick Co-op looks particularly enticing this week, as it is Fairtrade Fortnight. The half-life-sized cut-out figures produced by Arran’s Primary schools with the expert help of Marvin Elliott stand in front of the goods their country produces. They are in some strange way immensely real. India (pictured) produces tea, but there is
Palestinian olive oil as well, and coffee from Ethiopia, bananas from the Windward Islands, sugar from Malawi – the spread is world-wide. And as well as being extremely nice, these goods are rewarded by honest payment to producers who often struggle to survive.
The AGM of Fairtrade Arran takes place on Friday 19th March at 7.30pm in the Ormidale Pavilion. Jan McGregor will be talking about her recent ‘Meet the Producers’ trip to India, which will make the wee figures in the Co-op come truly alive.
Lemon Tree in Corrie
On Sunday, March 14th, Corrie Film Club shows Lemon Tree, a surprisingly gentle film based on a real life incident on the Israeli border. Director Eran Riklis takes a compassionate look at personal relationships between Arabs and Middle Eastern Jews, as he did in his previous films The Syrian Bride and Cup Final. Encouragingly, they achieved widespread success in Israel as well as with international audiences.
Lemon Tree is based on a factual episode when the Israeli Defence Minister, Shaul Mofaz, moved to the border within Israel and the occupied territories. Security forces began cutting down the olive trees beside his house, arguing that the grove could be used by terrorists as a hiding place. The Palestinian family who owned the trees sued the minister and took the case all the way to the Israeli Supreme Court, but lost in the end. Riklis shot his film in Palestine as well as on location at and around the Supreme Court of Israel building in Sha'arey Mishpat Street, Jerusalem. The characters speak Arabic and Hebrew, but Lemon Tree does not dwell on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The director is more interested in creating what he called a 'fairy tale quality'. He said, ‘I wanted to populate this film with a lot of faces and give each character their own moment of grace, even when, on the surface, it's one of the “bad guys,” so to speak.’ Though the ugly side of occupation is present, no blood is spilled, and Riklis takes a relatively cheerful, though cynical look at Middle Eastern authority on both sides.
The film starts at 8.00pm in Corrie Hall, this coming Sunday.
Patricia Gibson adopted as Arran’s candidate
At a private dinner for supporters in Brodick last Saturday, Councillor Patricia Gibson was formally adopted as the SNP candidate to contest the Westminster constituency of North Ayrshire and Arran. Stewart Stevenson MSP, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, described Patricia as ‘a first class candidate’, citing her experience as a teacher, councillor and Education Spokesperson on Scotland's largest education authority.
Patricia said, ‘Scotland is a resource rich nation with highly skilled and talented people. We need the power London covets to take Scotland forward and fight the legacy of under-achievement, high unemployment and emigration which has been our lot for generations.’ If elected, she promises, ‘I will not sit back but work hard for constituents in Arran, Cumbrae and the mainland.’
Ayrshire nets firm nets contract
W & J Knox, a Kilbirnie firm established in 1778 by the Knox family, has won a contract to supply nets to Lighthouse Caledonia (LHC) for use throughout their west of Scotland fish farms. LHC meanwhile is saying nothing more about the sudden discarding of its managing director, Oddgeir Oddsen, who sold all his shares in the company after his suspension and subsequent resignation, which we reported last week.
Kilmory Art Show
Time to get those pictures framed! The Arran Visual Arts show runs from Saturday 3rd April to Thursday 8th, and entries are to be handed in on Thursday 1st April between 6.00 and 7.00 pm. Labels will be provided, but please ensure that pictures have string or wire affixed.
Katy speaks up for the teachers
Katy Clark MP has signalled her support for teachers who marched in their thousands in Glasgow against cuts in education budgets. The march, organised by the Educational Institute of Scotland, was well attended as the union members showed their discontent and anger at proposed job losses, school closures and reduction in resources.
Katy said, ‘Education budgets across Scotland are being cut. These teachers have stood up and made their anger apparent. Our education system is nearing crisis, with 2500 fewer teachers since the SNP came to power and record levels of graduate teachers being frozen out of the profession. I fully support the teachers’ action and I hope that the Scottish Government takes note.’
Scam warning
Argyll and Bute Council is warning residents to beware of companies who call them to offer loans at what appear to be wonderfully cheap rates. The catch is that these companies ask for a payment up front to secure the loan, using the Money Gram payment system at the Post Office. People have been handing over sums of between £175 and £400 – but the money is then sent to an unknown location in India. The loan never happens and there is no way to get the payment back.
A&B Councillor Daniel Kelly, Chair of the Council’s Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee, said: ‘This is a very sinister scam which hits those who are already struggling financially. My advice to anyone looking for a loan is that they should shop around.’ So if you are approached by a trader out of the blue offering any goods or services, do be careful. If in doubt, contact Consumer Direct on 0845 404 0506 or Trading Standards on 01546 604 404.
Overheard in Whiting Bay this week –
‘I’m looking forward to this hung parliament. Do we have enough rope?’
Oh, tut. She looked such a respectable lady, too.
Latest — Andrew Grazier of HIFAR
Andrew Grazier was among the large number of attendees at a North Ayrshire consultation meeting last Monday. He tells a robust story of how Arran opinion came through, united and clear. See General News. If the whole story is not present, log in (the site will e-mail you a password) and all will be revealed.
Thursday, 11 March 2010
216 views 0 commentsMP defends free ferry fares for Arran pensioners
From April 1st, Strathclyde Passenger Transport will charge concession-card holders 60p single, £1 return per journey, and say this is necessary in order to keep the concession scheme going at all. CalMac is passing this charge on to its passengers. However, Western Ferries, who will be providing a new service to Brodick, has announced that pensioners will continue to travel free on their ferries.
Katy Clark MP has written to CalMac and asked them to waive the new fees as Western Ferries are doing. She says, ‘I have been contacted by a number of constituents who are concerned about these fares. The ferry is a vital link for these residents, and one which must remain affordable for all. Islanders rely on this service in the same way as people on the mainland do their local bus services. My fear is that this may be the thin end of the wedge and free bus passes for pensioners may be under threat next.’
Tenacious T’weed in Brodick Hall
This is not an outbreak of rhododendron disease but a splendid Music Society concert being given on Saturday, March13th by a quirkily-named group of three amazing young musicians. Alexa Mason, soprano, Gemma Carlin, clarinet and Christopher Baxter, piano, offer a marvellously mixed bag, ranging from Schubert to moderns. They are becoming well known in Scotland, with new music being composed for them, so at 7.30 pm in Brodick Hall this Saturday we are in for a treat.
The proposed programme starts with 3 Vocalises for Soprano and Clarinet by Vaughan Williams, followed by Schubert’s The Shepherd on the Rock and then the Horovitz Sonatine for Clarinet and Piano. After the interval they move into three songs from Walton’s ever-delightful ‘Façade’ Suite. Christopher plays 3 Preludes from Book 1 of Debussy’s piano solos, then there is La Lune Blanche for Soprano, Clarinet and Piano by Roger Steptoe. The concert ends with McCabe’s 3 Folksongs for Soprano, Clarinet and Piano.
Colourful ‘people’ at the Co
Brodick Co-op looks particularly enticing this week, as it is Fairtrade Fortnight. The half-life-sized cut-out figures produced by Arran’s Primary schools with the expert help of Marvin Elliott stand in front of the goods their country produces. They are in some strange way immensely real. India (pictured) produces tea, but there is
Palestinian olive oil as well, and coffee from Ethiopia, bananas from the Windward Islands, sugar from Malawi – the spread is world-wide. And as well as being extremely nice, these goods are rewarded by honest payment to producers who often struggle to survive. The AGM of Fairtrade Arran takes place on Friday 19th March at 7.30pm in the Ormidale Pavilion. Jan McGregor will be talking about her recent ‘Meet the Producers’ trip to India, which will make the wee figures in the Co-op come truly alive.
Lemon Tree in Corrie
On Sunday, March 14th, Corrie Film Club shows Lemon Tree, a surprisingly gentle film based on a real life incident on the Israeli border. Director Eran Riklis takes a compassionate look at personal relationships between Arabs and Middle Eastern Jews, as he did in his previous films The Syrian Bride and Cup Final. Encouragingly, they achieved widespread success in Israel as well as with international audiences.
Lemon Tree is based on a factual episode when the Israeli Defence Minister, Shaul Mofaz, moved to the border within Israel and the occupied territories. Security forces began cutting down the olive trees beside his house, arguing that the grove could be used by terrorists as a hiding place. The Palestinian family who owned the trees sued the minister and took the case all the way to the Israeli Supreme Court, but lost in the end. Riklis shot his film in Palestine as well as on location at and around the Supreme Court of Israel building in Sha'arey Mishpat Street, Jerusalem. The characters speak Arabic and Hebrew, but Lemon Tree does not dwell on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The director is more interested in creating what he called a 'fairy tale quality'. He said, ‘I wanted to populate this film with a lot of faces and give each character their own moment of grace, even when, on the surface, it's one of the “bad guys,” so to speak.’ Though the ugly side of occupation is present, no blood is spilled, and Riklis takes a relatively cheerful, though cynical look at Middle Eastern authority on both sides.
The film starts at 8.00pm in Corrie Hall, this coming Sunday.
Patricia Gibson adopted as Arran’s candidate
At a private dinner for supporters in Brodick last Saturday, Councillor Patricia Gibson was formally adopted as the SNP candidate to contest the Westminster constituency of North Ayrshire and Arran. Stewart Stevenson MSP, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, described Patricia as ‘a first class candidate’, citing her experience as a teacher, councillor and Education Spokesperson on Scotland's largest education authority.
Patricia said, ‘Scotland is a resource rich nation with highly skilled and talented people. We need the power London covets to take Scotland forward and fight the legacy of under-achievement, high unemployment and emigration which has been our lot for generations.’ If elected, she promises, ‘I will not sit back but work hard for constituents in Arran, Cumbrae and the mainland.’
Ayrshire nets firm nets contract
W & J Knox, a Kilbirnie firm established in 1778 by the Knox family, has won a contract to supply nets to Lighthouse Caledonia (LHC) for use throughout their west of Scotland fish farms. LHC meanwhile is saying nothing more about the sudden discarding of its managing director, Oddgeir Oddsen, who sold all his shares in the company after his suspension and subsequent resignation, which we reported last week.
Kilmory Art Show
Time to get those pictures framed! The Arran Visual Arts show runs from Saturday 3rd April to Thursday 8th, and entries are to be handed in on Thursday 1st April between 6.00 and 7.00 pm. Labels will be provided, but please ensure that pictures have string or wire affixed.
Katy speaks up for the teachers
Katy Clark MP has signalled her support for teachers who marched in their thousands in Glasgow against cuts in education budgets. The march, organised by the Educational Institute of Scotland, was well attended as the union members showed their discontent and anger at proposed job losses, school closures and reduction in resources.
Katy said, ‘Education budgets across Scotland are being cut. These teachers have stood up and made their anger apparent. Our education system is nearing crisis, with 2500 fewer teachers since the SNP came to power and record levels of graduate teachers being frozen out of the profession. I fully support the teachers’ action and I hope that the Scottish Government takes note.’
Scam warning
Argyll and Bute Council is warning residents to beware of companies who call them to offer loans at what appear to be wonderfully cheap rates. The catch is that these companies ask for a payment up front to secure the loan, using the Money Gram payment system at the Post Office. People have been handing over sums of between £175 and £400 – but the money is then sent to an unknown location in India. The loan never happens and there is no way to get the payment back.
A&B Councillor Daniel Kelly, Chair of the Council’s Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee, said: ‘This is a very sinister scam which hits those who are already struggling financially. My advice to anyone looking for a loan is that they should shop around.’ So if you are approached by a trader out of the blue offering any goods or services, do be careful. If in doubt, contact Consumer Direct on 0845 404 0506 or Trading Standards on 01546 604 404.
Overheard in Whiting Bay this week –
‘I’m looking forward to this hung parliament. Do we have enough rope?’
Oh, tut. She looked such a respectable lady, too.
Latest — Andrew Grazier of HIFAR
Andrew Grazier was among the large number of attendees at a North Ayrshire consultation meeting last Monday. He tells a robust story of how Arran opinion came through, united and clear. See General News. If the whole story is not present, log in (the site will e-mail you a password) and all will be revealed.
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