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If you would like to take out a subscription to the Voice, the cost will be £35 a year for businesses and £20 a year for voluntary organisations. For this, you get six free adverts that would normally cost £10 each – surely the offer of a lifetime! If preferred, you can group that as three double-sized ads or one huge one. In addition, you are guaranteed free and generous editorial coverage of your event or of stories that arise in connection with it, as long as you tell us what you are up to. We don’t have a crystal ball! Neither do we have a reporter, so we will need information to work on.
Boxed adverts work on a very simple system. The basic unit is one-sixteenth of a page, costing £10. If you would like double that size, you get an eighth of a page, £20, a quarter at £40 etc. A whole page is yours for a mere £160.
Small ads are even simpler. Anything for sale or wanted can be advertised for just one pound. This gives you two lines of text - 20 words or thereabouts. There’s a PayPal system that will ensure the recording and publishing of your ad, both for these lineage small ads and for larger boxed adverts, or if you prefer, you can send a written request and cheque to Voice for Arran, Woodside, Kildonan, KA27 8RP. We can’t publish adverts that are not pre-paid, as we have no staff to chase overdue sums.
Already, we are getting more contributions from members of the public. These are immensely welcome. If you have a bit of news to share or an opinion to express, just e-mail us on info@voiceforarran.com
Many people will be saddened to hear of the death of Dorothy Erskine, pictured here at a Christmas party last year. Dorothy was a talented artist and fashion designer, working during the post-war years when Dior's New Look was revolutionising the way women could express themselves afresh through the clothes they wore. Her drawing shown here is typical of her incisive line and the underlying wit that went with everything she did.
which Dorothy’s drawings appeared world-wide.
Joan married Henri Schoup, a fellow journalist, and was from then onwards based in Holland. Dorothy freelanced very successfully and travelled widely, working in Paris and Rome and eventually joining Joan and Henri in Johannesburg after their posting to South Africa. When Henri, with great courage, spoke the truth about the Sharpeville massacre and the jailing of Nelson Mandela, he and Joan were given seven days to leave the country. Dorothy continued to present the ‘Singer Sewing Centre of the Air’, a radio programme that Joan had initiated, but wrote to her sister describing it as ‘a weekly headache.’ She took a slow boat back to Europe and travelled gradually back to Britain from Italy, settling in a flat in Notting Hill Gate.
In 1982 Dorothy and Joan came back to Arran, which they had known during the war years when an uncle in the Navy was billeted with his wife in Hamilton Terrace, Lamlash. Exploring the ‘back cottages’ behind the Terrace, they spotted a For Sale notice in the window of number 21A. Within a week, Dorothy was the new owner, for the princely sum of £6,000. For several years, it was a holiday retreat for the family, but it eventually became Dorothy’s permanent home. Her sister comments, ‘It would be very hard indeed to imagine a better place in which to spend the rest of one’s life. And that, of course, is what she did.’ The sadness is for those left behind, who will miss Dorothy for her talent, her shrewdness and above all, for her irreverent and always delightful wit.
The National Trust for Scotland is calling for artists to create a picture inspired by NTS buildings and gardens, and by the countryside and coastline. The competition is open to both emerging and established artists. Winners will receive a £1000 prize and the opportunity to exhibit their work. Artists can submit two-dimensional art of all types (drawings in any medium, painting, printmaking, textiles, computer aided design, collage and montage.)
Chief Executive Kate Mavor said: ‘The places in our care in Ayrshire are inspiring, dramatic and stunning, so they cannot help but drive you to create something wonderful. This competition is a great opportunity to celebrate this nation and its treasures. It’s also a great chance to have your work exhibited worldwide on the Trust’s website.’
Entries should be submitted via www.nts.org.uk/artcompetition by 16 August 2010.
This 1996 Czech film is set in 1988 while the Soviet bloc is beginning to disintegrate. 
František Louka is a concert cellist loses his job at the Philharmonic orchestra due to having been half-accidentally blacklisted as ‘politically unreliable’ by the authorities. He ekes out a living by playing for funerals at the Prague crematorium – but then a friend offers him a chance to earn a great deal of money through a sham marriage to a Russian woman to give her Czech citizenship. She, however, uses her new freedom to join her boyfriend in West Germany – and leaves her Russian-speaking five-year-old son, Kolya, for the disgruntled musician to look after. Louka and Kolya don't speak each other's languages, but gradually a bond begins to form. This is a beautiful film, sensitively observed within its tough political background, and the child’s performance is breath-taking.
The showing begins at 8.00pm on Sunday, 18th April, in Corrie Hall. All welcome.
Katy Clark MP, the Labour Parliamentary Prospective Candidate for North Ayrshire and Arran, is strongly opposed to Tory plans to cut Child Tax benefits and axe the Child Trust Fund. She points out that couples bringing home a combined income of £31,000 would see their Child Tax Credits cut under George Osborne’s plans. Child Trust Funds would also be taken away from thousands of families. She says: ‘In North Ayrshire and Arran, 15,780 families benefit from Child Tax Credit, and 5,627 Child Trust Fund vouchers have been issued since April 2008. There are thousands of families in this constituency who would be badly affected by these plans – families who are already struggling with rising costs.’
…and denies any plan to scrap the attendance allowanceKaty refutes allegations in SNP leaflets that Labour, if re-elected, will scrap the Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance for those over 65 years of age. She says, ‘Labour have always made it clear that even if the English system was changed then these benefits would continue in their current form in Scotland.’ She adds that any suggestion to the contrary is ‘simply not true.’
Jimmy Miller, North Ayrshire's representative on the Executive of Scotland's Senior Alliance, agrees. Mr Miller said the inaccurate claims ‘have caused significant distress to a vulnerable section of the population.’ He continued, ‘I know that a number of elderly people in North Ayrshire and Arran have been worried by the SNP’s claims and have contacted Katy Clark for some reassurances. I am grateful to Ms Clark for clearing this mess up.’
We are impressed by the torrent of information sent to us by Argyll and Bute. Much of it does not concern Arran, but Kintyre is our nearest neighbouring mainland, and much of what happens there is of great interest to us. So have a look at this press release, for an example of how a local authority can go about a real, meaningful consultation about how to proceed with a suggested plan. Campbeltown residents, businesses and visitors are being urged to take part in a new survey on the town and its future.
The initiative is being undertaken as part of the Council’s £30m CHORD programme to regenerate the waterfronts of five key towns – Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Oban, Rothesay and Dunoon.
The survey, which is happening in each of the towns, will involve postal correspondence, in-street interviews and telephone calls aimed at gathering the views of the widest possible group of individuals.
The postal survey has recently been issued by to a random sample of 1,000 Campbeltown residents. This four page survey is designed to gather their views on the quality of the town at present, and identify what they would like to see improved in the future.
Responses are being collected in pre-paid envelopes by specialist research company EKOS, which will then report to the council on the main findings. All responses are confidential and no information on individual responses, or details of respondents, will be passed on.
The deadline for submission of surveys is May 30. The survey includes a prize draw fund of £100, and all completed surveys with names/addresses will be placed into a draw with three prizes of £50, £30 and £20.
An in-street survey is also planned for the end of May to coincide with the Mull of Kintyre half marathon on Sunday May 30. These surveys are targeted at visitors to the town who will be asked by interviewers about their views and perceptions of Campbeltown.
Finally, a sample of 30 local businesses (mainly retailers) will be contacted by EKOS and asked to participate in a 20 minute telephone survey. All responses will be confidential and the written report will not identify any business. We’re rather impressed. It sounds as if Argyll and Bute really know what they’re doing
As we all know – or should do – tick bites can lead to dangerous diseases. If you Google Tick Prevention Week, a useful and very cheery site will tell you what simple precautions can keep you safe.
If you are involved in outdoor activities which take you into the countryside or parks and gardens with lots of wildlife (such as squirrels, hedgehogs and deer), you may be at risk of tick bites, so it makes sense to keep an eye open. Normally, a tick bite causes no bother at all, but if a red ring should develop round the site where you have removed a tick from your skin, see a doctor at once.
The Caledonian Mercury on 16 February 2010 carried news that salmon farms in Norway have suffered from a huge rise of infestations by sea lice, which are becoming increasingly resistant to pesticides. The lice spread to wild fish, weakening and killing them.
Scottish anglers fear that the super lice will spread to Scotland’s fish farms, thus deplete the nation’s vulnerable wild stocks. The prospects for wild salmon and trout are “deeply worrying”, they say.
Norway is the world’s biggest producer of farmed Atlantic salmon, producing around 865,000 tonnes a year. Scotland is second, with about 133,000 tonnes a year. The Scottish government wants to expand production by about a third - a prospect that is greeted with alarm by the Sea Trout Group. The group was set up by the Scottish Anglers National Association and the Salmon and Trout Association in 1997 to campaign for more controls on fish farming. A campaign is now under way to ensure that captive-reared fish are kept in land-based tanks where neither they, their food nor their necessary drugs can interact with wild fish in any way.
To see more, go to www.robedwards.com .
by John Kinsman
This grand old lady of the seas (pictured) sailed into Anstruther harbour, Fife, on Saturday after undergoing her annual painting and overhaul. Her two huge masts were lifted into place by crane at the town’s harbour.
The 108-year-old herring drifter The Reaper, owned by the Scottish Fisheries Museum, is the last vessel of her type in Scotland She is berthed in Anstruther Harbour where visitors can go aboard to sample life of bygone fishing days. She attends sailing and marine events all around the Scottish coast during the summer months.
by John Kinsman.
Shipbuilding heritage in Inverclyde will be celebrated in 2011 in a bid to mark a milestone anniversary for the old former Scotts Shipyard.
The McLean Museum will host an exhibition to commemorate the 300th birthday of the world’s oldest dry-dock. The exhibition will feature old photos, models of ships, vintage newsreels of launches and contributions from former workers. The exhibition will run during the Tall Ships event in June 2011.
Councillor Ronnie Ahfield has been working with a group of former managers of Scotts who were keen to show the importance of the famous shipyard. He said: “I was approached by one of my constituents, who advised me about the importance of Scotts shipyard to Inverclyde, and the 300th anniversary of the oldest dry-dock in the world was approaching fast. I met with the group and very quickly became aware of just how important Scotts had been in terms of the socio-economic development in Inverclyde. I arranged a series of meetings with the appropriate council officials which culminated in the group being given total support.”
The group of enthusiasts is also producing a commemorative calendar tracing the history of the ships constructed there, with proceeds going to good causes.
Councillor Ahfield said: “I have documentation from the ancestors of the Scotts family. These will be featured in the exhibition, as will old newsreel footage and photos. I have been working on this for for the last seven months and I am delighted it’s happening. I think it is important we do everything we can to celebrate our heritage and I am delighted to have facilitated these events.”
by Assja Baumgärtner
All Co-op branches on Arran now provide collection points for used batteries. (Take them to the counter where they sell cigarettes.) Disposing of batteries on landfill sites is now banned, and any retailer who sells more than 32 kg of batteries a year (the equivalent of one 4-pack of AA batteries a day) is obliged to take back used batteries for recycling. This is in accordance with a European regulation that came into force in February 2010.
Dumping batteries in landfill means that heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury get into the environment, so the new move is a long-overdue one. Householders can now bring spent batteries to the collection points in the Co-op branches or to the drop-off point at the NAC Waste Transfer Station in Brodick. Brodie Pearcey, NAC waste manager for Arran, has approached Arran High School in the hope of setting up a further collection point there. Brodie points out that you must not put spent batteries in your blue recycling bin. Keep them separate from household rubbish and take them to the Co-op or any other collection centre.
All types of battery can be recycled, both the ordinary non-rechargeable kind (known as ‘primary’) and exhausted rechargeable ones (‘secondary’.) Button cell batteries used in small devices such as telephones and hearing aids are also acceptable. Britain is a high user of batteries. It’s estimated that there are 25 battery driven appliances in the average British household and 680 million batteries are sold every year. And that results in a yearly waste of 30,000 tonnes of old batteries. Until now 29,000 tonnes of these have been thrown away annually and only 1,000 tonnes recycled. The heavy batteries used in cars and industry have a much better recycling rate of up to 90%, but overall, Britain only recycles about 3% of its batteries.
Not unexpectedly, other European countries do much better. Switzerland leads with 62%, then Austria with 60%, Germany 42%, Netherlands 38%. Even the relatively new members do twice as well as we do, with the Czech Republic already achieving 6% and Poland 7%. The new directive requires us to get our battery recycling rate up to 25% by 2012 and 45% by 2016. The department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) estimates that hitting this target could save 12 000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Rechargeable batteries are a good buy
Although rechargeable batteries cost more initially, they work out much cheaper in the long run, as they can be recharged at least 500 times. The new nickel-metal hydride NIMH batteries are even better, and will take up to 1000 recharges. Buying a charger is not expensive, and it’s very simple to use. Fully recharging four AA batteries costs between 1 and 3 pence, so switching to the rechargeable kind can save you quite a lot of money. And you can bask in the knowledge that they have up to 32 times less impact on the environment than the use-and-throw-away kind.
Bookings are now being taken for 2010 sailings aboard the historic ships Waverley and if you book before April 16th you can enjoy your day out at last years prices! Waverley is magnificently restored and was recently nominated by the Sunday Times as a Top 3 Nostalgic Journey in the World.
From June 30 until August 26 sail aboard Paddle Steamer Waverley from Brodick on Wednesdays & Thursdays. Recapture happy memories or create new ones as you visit the seaside at Largs or Dunoon, enjoy a spectacular cruise steaming up Loch Long & Loch Goil to view Carrick Castle or view the magnificent scenery of ‘Scotland in Miniature’ as you sail along Arran’s coastline to Pladda Island & steam round Holy Isle. Don’t miss the only Sunday sailing around Holy Isle aboard Waverley on August 8.
Sailing aboard Waverley from Lochranza three days only in 2010 you can enjoy a Sunday Roast with the best views in the World on August 1 & 29 as you steam across the Kilbrannan Sound and up the Kintyre Peninsula to Skipness Point with views of Skipness Castle. On July 18 visit Campbeltown, cruise the Kintyre Peninsula to view Sanda Isle – look out for seals on the shore!
Captain Andy O’Brian, Waverley’s Captain said: “There is no better way to spend the day than relaxing on deck and watching the spectacular scenery slip by. There is a trip for everyone to enjoy – whether it’s a leisurely cruise or trip to the seaside or the chance to view parts of our unique coastline from a different perspective. The ship really tell a story about how past generations enjoyed their leisure time.”
Waverley has excellent onboard facilities including a restaurant serving hot and cold snacks, two bars, heated lounges, engine room & paddle wheel viewing gallery and a souvenir shop.
Prices start at £15.95 for Adults and there are discounts for Senior Citizens, Children under 18 half fare & under 5s travel free. To receive a brochure or book tickets call the Booking Office on 0845 130 4647 or find out more and Book Online at www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk
Season Highlights:
Sunday Roasts with the best views in the World!
July 18 – Cruise Sanda Isles & Mull of Kintyre
August 1 & 29 – Cruise Skipness Point & Castle
August 8 – Cruise Pladda Island & Holy Isle
- Ticket prices vary dependant on route, please visit the website or call our booking line below for specific route prices.
- Children under 5 travel free
- Aged 5-17 travel at half fare
- Special reductions available for Senior Citizens on many cruises.
- Group Booking information – Groups of 10 or more receive a 10% discount on the standard fare. To receive the group discount, parties of 10 and over should book in advance and include a 25% deposit or full payment.
- Tickets can be purchased by calling 0845 130 4647. Tickets will be posted to you or, if time is short, be onboard waiting for you to collect from the Purser’s Office on the day. Tickets are also available from local Tourist Information Centres or book online at www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk. Tickets can also be purchased on board on the day of sail, subject to availability on the day.
- Brief history
- Paddle Steamer Waverley was built on the River Clyde in 1947.
- In 2003, a major restoration project was completed, returning the ship to the original 1940’s style in which she was built.
- Waverley is the only real Clyde steamer and the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world.
- In 1974, The Paddle Steamer Preservation Society bought the 693 tonne ship for £1 to preserve it for the future.
- Originally built to sail mainly between Craigendorran & Arrochar, she now sails right around Britain offering regular trips on the Clyde, the Thames, South Coast of England and the Bristol Channel.
- Waverley has a Scottish Tourist Board 4-star tour accreditation.
Medieval pottery fragments found at Brodick Castle
Archeologists overseeing the installation of new lightning conductors at the National Trust for Scotland Brodick Castle on the Isle of Arran this month have struck lucky. For the team has found two fragments of green-glazed medieval pottery - one of which probably dates to 13th or 14th century - in a series of trenches dug to earth the new system. "We are absolutely delighted with the find," said Derek Alexander, an archaeologist with the conservation charity. "The trenches being dug for the new lightning rods were about two metres deep, so there was a fair chance that we'd discover something.
"Brodick Castle was probably built in the late 13th Century, so these items are likely to have been associated with life at the property at that time."
The pieces will be passed to a pottery expert for further analysis.
Photo: One of the trench for the new rods with a fragment of pottery [inset]
Steak and Kidney Pie
When originally developed, this dish used oysters rather than mushrooms for additional flavour, mushrooms being considerably the more expensive ingredient. Times have changed but the popularity of this filling dish has not. Be sure to cook the filling slowly and thoroughly to allow different flavours to intermingle.
INGREDIENTS
Serves 4.
200g (7 oz) plain flour
Salt & pepper
700g (1 1/2lb) braised steak, trimmed and cubed
175g (6oz) ox kidney cored and chopped.
100g (4oz) butter
1-2 garlic cloves skinned and crushed.
1 large onion skinned and chopped.
100g (4oz) mushrooms.
150ml (1/4pint) beef stock
150ml (1/4 pint) brown ale.
1 Bay leaf.
Sprig of fresh thyme or 2.5ml (1/2tsp) dried thyme.
15ml (1tbsp) Worcestershire sauce
15ml (1tbsp) tomato puree
Fresh milk, to glaze
METHOD
1. Season 25g (1oz) of flour, and then toss the steak and kidney in the flour, shaking off any excess.
2. Melt 25g (1oz) of the butter in a large saucepan and lightly fry the garlic, onion and mushrooms for 3 minutes. Add the steak, kidney and remaining coating flour and cook for 5 minutes, until lightly brown.
3. Gradually stir in the stock, ale, bay leaf, thyme, Worcestershire and tomato puree. Cover and simmer gently for 1-1/4 hours. Spoon the mixture into a 1.7 litre (3 pint) pie dish.
4. Put the remaining flour and a pinch of salt into a bowl. Rub in the remaining butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add 60ml (4tbsp) cold water and mix to form dough.
5. Roll out on a lightly floured work surface to 5cm (2inches) wider than the pie dish. Cut a 2.5cm (1inch) wide strip from the outer edge and place on the dampened rim of the dish. Brush the strip with water. Cover with the pastry lid, press lightly to seal the edges. Trim off excess pastry, knot the edges back to seal and crimp. Garnish with pastry leaves, brush with milk and bake at 200 C (400F) mark 6 for 30-45minutes.