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Fantastic films in Corrie and an Arran energy centre?

Don't miss two amazing films in Corrie Village Hall next Sunday, Dec 6th. You will never take a fish for granted again.

Written by Alison Prince
Thursday, 26 November 2009

2,060 views   0 comments




Fishy business shown up
COAST (the Community of Arran Seabed Trust), together with the Pure Salmon Campaign, is hosting a film night at Corrie Hall on Sunday December 6th at 7pm. They are showing two hard-hitting films that reveal exactly what goes on both in fish farms and in commercial fishing.

The first is a short film called Farmed Salmon Exposed: the global reach of the Norwegian salmon farming industry, by Canadian film-maker Damien Gillis. Don Staniford, who is the Global Coordinator for the Pure Salmon Campaign, will be in Corrie to introduce the film and answer questions. He said: ‘Open net cages have spread like a cancer on our coasts – they need to be ripped out before they kill off wild salmon and sea trout and the communities which depend upon healthy fish stocks.’ Jean-Michel Cousteau, whose amazing under-sea TV documentaries many will remember, is President of the Ocean Futures Society, and he remarked: ’There seems to be ample information showing that the technology of open net cage salmon farming has failed us and has become a liability to the environment.’

The second film is the much-talked-of documentary, The End of the Line: imagine a world without fish. 83 minutes long, it is based on the book by Charles Clover, an investigative reporter, and follows him as he confronts politicians and celebrity restaurateurs, who show little regard for the damage they are doing to the oceans. Its producer, Claire Lewis, said, ‘Reading the book, The End of the Line changed my life and what I eat. I hope the film will do the same for others.’


Howard Wood from COAST said ‘The End of the Line is essential viewing if you want to understand both the damaging effects the fishing industry is having on the seas globally and find out what you can do to make a difference. While rich countries import fish from the other side of the world, people who depend on those fish to survive will starve. COAST’s campaign has focused on protecting the marine environment but just as important is its campaign to put pressure on both the fishing and aquaculture industries to stop destructive, damaging and unsustainable practices. I believe the two films expose the dark underbelly of these industries and are shocking and thought provoking.’

The evening will begin at 7pm and tickets are £5, available on the door.
For further information please contact Howard Wood: hlwood@tiscali.co.uk

Proposals for an Arran energy centre
Following the success of Duncan Mulholland and Angus Smith’s Arran
Woodfuels in providing low-cost renewable heating fuel on the island, a study
commissioned from an East Kilbride based consultant has now been
published. It has suggested several ways in which sustainability could move
forward on the island.

Sustainability consultant George Wallis said of the report, ‘Angus specifically
asked me to look at technology that would fit well with Arran’s community
and landscape, so the ideas put forward are all well tested and developed
elsewhere and there’s the chance for people to save money in several areas.
The exciting thing from my point of view is that they haven’t been put together
in a Scottish or UK community before, so Arran has the chance to be a
national leader. There’s some further research needed to make absolutely
certain that the energy and financial aspects tie together, but things look very
promising.’

The report looks at
 reducing the amount of material that has to be transported off the island
to go to landfill
 composting and anaerobic digestion, which would allow the local
production of fertiliser
 electricity production using small-scale generators
 small business units for local businesses involved in sustainability
 a wood fuel handling and drying centre to accommodate the increasing
demand

Fore more details, see News.

Election in Whiting Bay
Two candidates have come forward for the Arran Community Council vacancy as Whiting Bay’s replacement for Howard Driver, who retired last month. One is Andrew Martin, who was in charge of Arran Homes until his recent retirement, and the other is Ian McCallum, a retired Headmaster who now runs a taxi service in Whiting Bay. Both have a wealth of experience, and choosing between them will be difficult. There will be an election meeting in Whiting Bay Hall on a date yet to be fixed, at which both candidates will set out their claims everyone attending will vote for their preferred choice. No proxy voting is allowed, so it is important to be there. The meeting will be widely publicised, so look out for posters and press announcements.

An 85-year-old lady takes on Donald Trump.
See under News for the battle of Molly Forbes to defend herself against compulsory eviction by Donald Trump, who with the connivance of Aberdeen Council seeks to evict her and demolish her house to make way for his golf course.

ACC Minutes
will be published as soon as their creator sends them through. We've been waiting all day.

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