NETWORK CHUG

COMMITTEE MEETING DECEMBER 8TH

Members: A. Milstead (Chair), M. Hurst, D. Macalister Hall, M. Adams, A. Walker, G. Arkell, D. McIntosh, R. Stride, M. Trott, R. Howarth (Lakeland). It was agreed at a previous meeting that CHUG become a part of Network Carradale MOORINGS. Contact has been made with Crown Estates regarding the placement of up to 6 moorings parallel to Shore Road and a lease of the seabed is being sought. Finance has been arranged for their installation but further details need to finalised regarding insurance, maintenance, charges etc. They should be ready for use before Easter 2012. HARBOUR REDEVELOPMENT A brief is being drawn up by a third party over the next 4 weeks to be sent to selected marine architects. This will result in the appointment of one firm to finalise our plans for the harbour redevelopment. We have already discussed with Argyll & Bute Council a proposed way forward and those plans will be firmed up after further consultation with ABC Harbours and ABC Estates with regard to possible use, occupation and management of the harbour area. COMMUNITY SURVEY HARBOUR SECTION We discussed the results of our section of the Community Survey (103 returned). Several concerns featured prominently and will be utilised in future proposals. Marcus Adams.

A winter scene in many rural Kintyre homes in 2011 and early 2012. Photo courtesy of Martin Mears and the Carradale Goat.

WILD WEATHER & POWER LOSS

As Margaret Leightons rainfall report for December may well show, there were some wild variations to the weather in Kintyre this year. Those who rarely put a foot other than on a man-made surface were only too aware in December of the rain-soaked nature of the Kintyre soil when attending Keiths funeral. Fortunately the very large representation at his graveside was spared further precipitation. North-west winds were also a problem with two lengthy periods of over 80mph in December and at least one in 2012. Electricity was cut off twice once in December for up to eight hours and the other in January for varying periods; Carradale for 42 hours over January 3rd-5th. Trees came down, roads were flooded, the Rest decided to slip a bit further down with travellers having to enjoy the longer scenic route via Dalmally and Crianlarich. To round off an unusual year, temperatures crept up and provided an unseasonable landscape for those who look forward to a white Christmas, but in 2012 will man-induced weather changes cause temperatures to rise further and lead to a fall in central heating costs? Its about as unlikely as seeing the Kintyre birth rate rise, Tesco moving to the Creamery site and the Council building a new school in Kintyre.

CARRADALE GOLF CLUB

FURTHER INFORMATION IS ON PAGE 5
THE SECRETARY IS MARGARET SECRETARY THERICHARDSON, IS 2 OLD SCHOOLHOUSE, MARGARET RICHARDSON, CARRADALE SCHOOLHOUSE, 2 OLDIS ON PAGE 5.

CARRADALE PA28 6QJ. TEL: 01583 431788

CARRADALE GARDEN SERVICES

01583 431362 & 07814767813
Landscaping and maintenance Patios and Paving Drainage and Fencing Turfing and Monoblocking Tree work, Free estimates All excavations undertaken

SENIOR LADIES CLUB

Duncan and Wum Semple keeping traffic flowing.

The first Coffee Morning of 2012 will be on Monday 6th February at The Ashbank Hotel.

THE NETWORK CENTRE REOPENED ON FRIDAY13TH JANUARY. Winter opening hours 11am - 4pm. Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays.

IN THIS ISSUE

P2 Keith Campbell. P3 Nancie Smith, Neil Bone and William Kennedy. P4 Grants, Golf and Quiz.

P5 Thanks and appreciation. P6 Fuel group meeting No 1. P7 Fuel No 2, and a plea. P8 Wood and Valiant Hearts.

P9 Rainfall & School news. P10 Scams and Thanks. P11 Olympic bells, Inveraray. P12 Saddell success.

Established

1989

CAMPBELTOWN MOTOR COMPANY Snipefield Industrial Estate, CampbeltownTelephone 01586 553200

2 KEITH CAMPBELL

The ANTLER

On the 15th of December, 2011 everyone was shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden death of Keith Campbell, a much respected and lifelong resident of Carradale; the fact that on 28th December Saddell and Carradale church was filled to capacity for his funeral bore witness to that. Keith was Carradale through and through, (in fact the family tree goes back to 1762). He was born on the 15th of November, 1924 at Post Office House, as was his father Donald before him - that part of the family business which was later to become the tearoom. Life at Carradale Stores (D.Campbell and Co) was always busy and it was a happy household with Margaret his older sister, Keith and Walter. School days were spent at Carradale and Campbeltown and in his younger days Keith enjoyed joining the Glasgow Burnside Scouts when they set up camp at South Dippen. On leaving school Keith joined the crew of his uncle Jack McIntoshs boat, the Stella Maris and it is said that once Keith went aboard, the Stella Maris had the tidiest focsle in the fleet - and as we all know this desire for perfection was to follow him all through life. The war years came and Keith joined up before he was 18, eventually serving on Royal Naval Ocean-going Rescue Tugs as a signaller. Keith and his friend Johnny McMillan joined up together in Campbeltown and sailed from the Clyde to New York aboard RMS Queen Mary which, acting as a troop ship, was carrying up to 15,000 troops. No luxury trip this, but the liner was so fast that she needed no escourt during the voyage and despite having to set a zigzag course, the journey was completed in four days From New York the two Carradale sailors travelled on to New Jersey, and then to port Arthur, Texas, where they joined HMRT Athlete. On returning to Europe Keith saw action in the Mediterranean pulling beached craft back out to sea and assisting with convoys. He was in Africa at Anjou and Solerno and, when off Leghorn, (Livorno) Italy, Athlete was mined and sank very quickly. Four of the crew were lost, Keith suffered a foot injury and was taken to hospital which in peacetime was the Palace of King Victor Emmanuel of Italy. Keith was sent home to recuperate then joined HMRT Reward, a new and bigger vessel. He sailed with her to Norway and the final task before demob in 1946 was towing U-boats to Lough Foyle, where they were scuttled. Keith was rightfully proud of his war service but not in any boastful heroic way. He took part in the annual Remembrance Service at the village war memorial and also in the church. He was probably the last surviving member of the crew of the Athlete and possibly one of the last surviving World War 2 veterans in the village. The medals he wore were - the 1939-45 star, the Atlantic Star and bar, the Italy Star, the Africas Star and the defence metal 1939-45. On returning home after the war Keith joined the family business. Keith was very popular with all ages as he drove the mobile shop around the outlying areas, from Skipness to Peninver, calling at every house and farm, there were always sweets for the children, a custom he continued with in the shop - many still recall this fondly. In 1949 the arrival of electricity made the production of ice cream possible and this became a big feature in the Tearoom which was started by Keiths mother. In the early 50s the first extension to the shop was made and Keith and Chris were married, living first at Dunvalanree, Chriss home. In 1954 Moira was born and in 1956 they bought the former parish manse and renamed it Limetrees, where Chris ran a very successful guest house.

Keith had many interests in village life. Involved in the village hall he was responsible for organizing the entertainment and in the 50s Jimmy Shand, Iain Powrie and Lochgilphead band The Rhythm Boys provided music for the dances to which bus loads of people travelled up from Campbeltown. These events raised a lot of money for the Harbour Fund and the village hall. Another interest was the Amenities Committee, being especially involved in the upkeep of the Bay road and ensuring the footbridge from the car park to the beach was in good repair. In 1962 after Keiths fathers death there was a major expansion to the shop and tearoom. At this time the shop was very busy supplying locals and visitors many of whom came for up to a month, taking holiday houses. The shop stocked high quality goods of every description and also fancy goods such as Susie Cooper China (now a collectors item) which many holiday makers can remember buying. The tearoom was always packed with everyone enjoying a wide selection of home baking and the now famous ice cream, which was also always donated to school sports day and village hall sales of work (10 gallons a day was produced). In 1971 a further expansion was made and The Glen was built as it was realised that many more people coming to village were having bed and breakfast and required meals. The Glen was hugely successful and changed the face of Carradale, attracting customers from all over Kintyre, Mid-Argyll and beyond. During the summer seasons it was quite common to serve 150 evening meals having previously served a similar number of lunches and high teas - booking was always essential. During the winter months Supper Dances were introduced and they proved very popular cheering up many a dreich night. The business employed 25 staff at the height of the season which was a great support to the local economy. In all of this Keith was a perfectionist ensuring everything was spic and span, and that steps were scrubbed and windows were gleaming! Many girls have remarked that their training at the Glen had been a great benefit to them in later years in their own home. Happy days gone by in The Glen will not be forgotten; the Campbells built up a great friendship with their staff, customers and visitors alike. After a very successful business career Keith retired in 1988 allowing him and Chris time to enjoy holidays and their favourite pastime, ballroom dancing. Keith retirement also gave him time to enjoy his garden, of which he was rightly proud and it was always greatly admired by all who passed by. Keith and Chris were always most welcoming and generous hosts; hospitality at Limetrees was legendary, especially at New Year - this year being the first time in 56 years that the lights at Limetrees did not shine out to welcome all who called to bring in the New Year. Chriss early death in 1995 changed life for Keith, however he still kept his high standards and remained very independent. He continued to take a great interest in village life and always supported any fundraising events - there was no point in trying to guess the weight of the cake - Keith would win it, his time in the shop stood him in good stead. A lifelong supporter of the Church, Keith attended every Sunday always immaculately turned out sometimes passing comment if others were not suitably attired. Carradale has lost a very special gentleman. Unfailingly courteous, with a cheery friendly smile and a mischievous sense of humour. He will be sadly missed by all, but remembered with much affection and for ever held in high regard. Above all, Moira and Keith were a team, special friends, one rarely seen without the other. Moira gave her dad an unsurpassed level of care and attention, which only a loving daughter can give - his passing leaves a huge gap in her life. R.M.F.

3 NANCIE SMITH / McGLYNN

THE ANTLER

3
1896 -1915

WILLIAM KENNEDY
In compiling a record of local war veterans, Charles Macmillan has made interesting discoveries on the Internet. A recent one was 2/Lt William Robert Kennedy of the 2nd Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders who was born in Carradale and killed in action on 25th September 1915, the first day of the battle of Loos. William's service documents show that he was born at Ardcarroch on 8th March 1896. He was the son of a Dr Kennedy who had married the previous year in Elgin before coming south to Carradale to take up the post of medical practitioner. Disappointingly, no trace of the family's short stay here has so far been found in local records; no more children were registered here and as the name does not appear in the 1901 census it is assumed they returned north. William was educated first at Dunbeath Public School then Tain Royal Academy and Wick High School before entering Aberdeen University in the summer of 1914 to study medicine. Like tens of thousands of other young men nationwide who flocked to the colours on the outbreak of WW1, William enlisted at once and volunteered for overseas service. On 4th August he and fellow undergraduates were mobilized to form 'U' Company, 4th (City of Aberdeen) Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders. The Battalion left Bedford for France in February 1915 and for the next couple of months they were on difficult and dangerous front line trench duties, but not until 15th June were they engaged in a specific battle, Bellewarde, which was part of the 'murderous' 2nd battle of Ypres. The Battalion diary shows that they now took casualties in fierce fighting and encountered the first use of gas. Several acts of heroism are recorded for the student soldiers of 'U' Company and William himself showed conspicuous bravery in carrying despatches across a shell-swept zone, earning the congratulations of the Divisional Commander and recommendation for a decoration. This episode, and no doubt others, must have shown special qualities of leadership in 19-year-old William and he was singled out for immediate promotion. A course of training at St Omer followed and August saw him gazetted 2nd Lt. in the 2nd Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. Only a month later, however, he was killed leading his platoon in the initial assault at Loos and is buried at Cambrin Churchyard Extension. Among the casualties on the same day, many of whom have no known grave, was another Carradale man, Serjeant John Mitchell of the 8th Black Watch, whose name is on our war memorial. Charles would welcome names and photographs for inclusion in the DVD record. A veteran does not necessarily have to have been born here to be eligible - close association with Carradale, Skipness or Saddell is sufficient. G.S.

Nancie, who died just before Christmas aged 66, will be remembered as the voice of Campbeltown. Throughout her life she sought to defend her town from the onslaught of reorganisation, and from un-sympathetic moves to destroy its character and importance in Argyll. As one of the longest-serving Chairpersons of Campbeltown Community Council, and more recently as Secretary, she stood both for traditional values and for long needed improvements to the towns physical structure. A teacher and Deputy Head at Dalintober Primary School, she strove to instil in children the importance of community spirit and the need to enhance their lives and the lives of those around them. Active in both European and American relations she was involved in the exchange scheme with students of AmbergSulzbach, and was proud to promote naval relationships with the town of Campbelltown in Pennsylvania. Long a part-time worker and informant to the Campbeltown Courier, she provided a home-grown knowledge of the structure of the town and of its social needs. Other organisations benefited from her help including the local branch of the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Society, the Mull of Kintyres annual 10 kilometre run and the Kintyre Community Forum web-site. She was also instrumental in helping establish the Argyll & Bute branch of the Council for Voluntary Service and the Dalintober & Millknowe Tenants & Residents Association. She supported the the Association of Argyll & Bute Community Councils and was preparing to stand for the Scottish National Party at the 2012 Council elections. Sadly two of her ambitions were not realised appointment as a Primary Head-teacher and the return of the Burgh Council, dissolved in 1975. On a personal level it seems only a few weeks ago that I met her outside the Campbeltown Co-op and enjoyed exchanging views about Campbeltown and its affairs. She made no mention of her own problems; her concerns were to see the town prosper through increased employment opportunities. I left the Co-op with a feeling that with Nancie back in the fray as secretary to Campbeltown Community Council, the old fire will be re-kindled and the heat and glow generated last for at least another ten years; unfortunately this was not to be. Nancies funeral service was held at Lorne and Lowland Parish Church on Friday 23rd December 2011, and the burial took place at Patchan Cemetery, where crashing waves will for ever proclaim the power of her endeavour to battle against bureaucracy and centralisation. G.P.

TOM GRANT
PARTNERSHIP

ARCHITECTS
41 Longrow Campbeltown
Argyll PA28 6ER Tel: 01586 554727 Fax: 01586 551727

24 Argyll Street Lochgilphead

Argyll PA31 8NE Tel: 01546 603050
Mobile 07770 538 661

TOM GRANT Dip., Arch., R.I.B.A., R.I.A.S

Kilbrannan Catering

NEIL BONE
Following the publication of Professor Roberts tribute to the internationally renowned amateur astronomer Neil Bone in the July 2009 issue of the Antler, another distinguished Kintyre astronomer, Dr Alexander L. MacKinnon of the School of Education, University of Glasgow, has joined Ronald Roberts in seeking recognition of Neils achievements by raising funds for a tangible memorial for the Campbeltown-born bio-chemist. One idea is that donations could be made to a Neil Bone Prize fund through the agency of the Primary School he attended or Campbeltown Grammar. Contact has also been made with the Treasurer of the The Kintyre Antiquarian and Natural History Society, Elizabeth Marrison, in the hope that the Society may be able to suggest ways in which Campbeltonians have celebrated their illustrious forbears in the past. Co-incidentally Eric Dudleys ambitious ideas to promote Carradale as an excellent place to carry out astronomical observations was recognised by Neil, when, as a student at the Grammar he used to cycle towards Carradale where there was very little light pollution and set up his personal observatory, a deck chair, a clipboard, pencils, a red torch and a pair of good binoculars. It was here that his great interest in the Aurora Borealis so frequently visible in Kintyre, noctilucent clouds, and meteors began, and he became an international authority on these, lecturing as far away as China. If you wish to assist with this appeal please ring Ronald Roberts on 01586 554417 or the Editor on 01583 431281.

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01583 431632

THE ANTLER
FEBRUARY 2012
COPIES DELIVERED 16 Shore Road 22 Lochpark 18 Quay Brae South 42 Broomfield - Ballymeanach 13 Woodside 22 Hill 60 - Quay Brae North 40 Tormhor 18 Portrigh 22 School Park 8 Toshs Park 19 Brackley Road 12 Torrisdale 19 Saddell 16 Main Peninver 13 Peninver & Ugadale 11 High Peninver 26 Campbeltown & Main Road 18 Waterfoot 5 River Bank 8 Mains & estate 84 Subscriptions, Public bod. 2 Office 454 TOTAL Volunteer distributor Mary Donnelly Margaret Campbell Rachel McMurchy Neenie McDougall Matt & Sheena Ramsay Shelagh Cameron Jean Campbell Morna Paterson Mary Semple Robert Strang Michael Foreman Dave Washington Wendy Vandome or temp Helen Owen David Byford Mr Craig Mary & Geoffrey Page Mary Page Gail McIntosh Mike Hurst Matt & Sheena Ramsay 460 ORDERED

ANTLER DELIVERIES
During the combined Network and Pump meeting on Wednesday 23rd of November the Editor was asked about the effective cover of the Antler in East Kintyre. The Editors response was that every household between Grogport in the north and Kilchousland in the south of Kintyre requesting a copy currently receives one. As this did not seem to satisfy the questioner, the information to the left and below may give a clearer picture. In general holiday home owners who occupy their second homes infrequently, do not receive a free copy; some who visit regularly do. Infrequent occupiers can subscribe so that copies are sent to their home address. In at least one part of Carradale holiday home owners/holiday lets/part-time residents match the number of full-time residents. Other delivery areas have an unrivalled record for delivering copies to almost every house and even empty houses when a change of tenancy is in progress. In addition a few residents who know of the Antlers existence have not yet expressed a wish to receive a copy. What that says about universality of distribution, I am not sure. What it does say is that for a free publication that reaches parts which others may not; the extent of its coverage is a credit to the warrior band who battle with everything from weather, narrow and badly placed letterboxes, snapping dogs to bring the good or critical news from the Kintyre equivalent of Ghent to Aix.

Alasdair McPhee

IFA

REVIEWING YOUR FINANCES? Areas of Financial Planning Protection - Personal, Mortgage, Business and Income.
Savings / Investments - Annual ISA Allowance / Low interest rates, there are alternatives offering potentially greater Capital Growth and or Income. Pension Planning - Plans should be reviewed on a Annual Basis. Under the current Economic Climate reviewing your Finances should be seriously considered. We offer, in the privacy of your own home, a free Personal Review covering all the above, meetings can be arranged by calling:Contact numbers are 01586-552598 / 0779 857 4890 / or 0141 887 6778. Alasdair McPhee, Financial Consultant was born in Carradale, lives and works in Campbeltown. Financial Planning Made Simple
e-mail: amcphee@hotmail.com, St James Business Centre, Linwood Rd, Paisley PA3 3AT Tel: 0141 887 6778 Fax: 0141 887 6344
Alasdair McPhee Financial Services is an appointed representative of Personal Touch Financial Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
Principal Alasdair M. McPhee Cert.PFS MLIA(dip)

WIND-FARM GRANTS
November 2011 Tranche There were 12 applications for a request of a total of 12,396. Requests from Campbeltown Airbase and Campbeltown Rugby Club were rejected on the basis of the criteria laid down by Argyll and Bute Council in regard to our geographic area. The following grants were agreed: Carradale Village Hall 3000 Carradale School 300 Crime Prevention 300 Homestart 200 Toshs Park Road repair 276 Carradale AFC 600 S.C.D.A. 500 Carradale Playpark , 300 Campbeltown Cinema 1000 A further grant (Portrigh Steps) was deferred pending clarification of land ownership. J.S.I.

CHRISTMAS QUIZ
The Christmas Quiz was held this year on Friday 30th December. The timing seemed to suit locals and visitors alike, as a record breaking 22 teams took part. There were so many in fact, that we had to hastily set out additional tables and create more answer sheets. It was a wonderful response and thank-you to all those who, despite the poor weather, turned out for the event. The tried and tested format was in place with ten rounds of ten questions in each and with teams augmenting their total with the judicious use of a joker card. There were 29 perfect round scores recorded. Who says the questions are too hard?! The categories of Capitals, Christmas Music & Whose Voice were answered particularly well, General Knowledge more confidently than previously, but the Sports Round proved demanding for most teams with six being the highest total scored in the round. Congratulations to everyone. Most teams scored around 75% very commendable and everyone correctly answered well over half of the questions. The team of Junior Biscuits made up the Abernethy family team of Gordon, Laura, Bobby and Caitlin were there to defend their Winning position in last years Christmas Quiz. This they did with a magnificent and unassailable score of 97 especially commendable as they had to forego their anniversary dinner to attend. Can they repeat this next year and make it three in a row? Congratulations to them, all four of them. They each received a mug filled with chocolates and the admiration of all. There were boxes of chocolates too, for the teams of Shore Mor and Wee Sea View East who tied for second place with 91 points. The Marsupials were 4th, just one point behind, with a total of 90. Each team table was supplied with crisps and nibbles. The Village Hall Committee ran a bar throughout the evening and there was a raffle with numerous prizes. Judging by the comments afterwards the Quiz was well received and it had proved an enjoyable evening. M.L.

CARRADALE GOLF CLUB

200 CLUB MONTHLY AND SNOWBALL DRAW The winners in the November, December and Snowball draws are as follows: Prize November December 1st 30 A. Robertson S. Douglas 2nd 18 Sue Campbell Lindsay McGregor 3rd 12 Elma McClean Isobel Williamson 4th 6 Eleanor Robb R. Rixson SNOWBALL 1st 150 Alan Neilson 2nd 100 Dugie Campbell 3rd 50 James Allan J.S.I.
The Junior Biscuits, Gordon. Laura, Bobby, and Caitlin Abernethy with mugs filled with chocolates, after winning the Xmas Quiz again this Year.

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machall@torrisdalecastle.com

5 REST AND BE THANKFUL

UNTIL THE NEXT TIME: A BRIEF HISTORY The A83 at the Rest and be Thankful fully reopened to traffic today (14th December). The road, which has been subject to closures during the hours of darkness to all vehicles except emergency vehicles since a landslip earlier this month, will now be open to all traffic around the clock, although this remains subject to weather conditions. Transport Scotland originally announced the road would reopen 24 hours a day yesterday morning. However, it later had to close because of the heavy rain and high winds. Minister for Housing and Transport, Keith Brown said: "Since the landslip at the Rest and be Thankful on 1 Dec and the clean up operation which followed, our road engineers have been working hard to find a solution to allow a full reopening of the road on a 24 hour basis to general traffic. We are very grateful to the local community who have shown a great deal of patience as we worked to find a solution. The safety of road users is always our first concern and must rightly remain so, and the closures during darkness were necessary in ensuring this. "Now that the gale force winds and heavy rain has subsided floodlighting has been installed and tested along the section of road we know to be susceptible to landslip. This will allow conditions on the road to be monitored through the night, adding an extra layer of safety for drivers. We must caution though that we are at the mercy of the weather which in recent days has been extreme. Concerns remain about slope stability particularly during periods of heavy rain, and severe winds may de-stabilise the floodlights which have been installed. Should we find ourselves in a position where monitoring during the hours of darkness cannot be undertaken, or that we find evidence of landslip - then full or partial closures of the road may be forced on us again. In the meantime we have procured additional instrumentation which we expect to have in place before Christmas which will provide an early visual indication of movement of the hillside, and increase the ability to monitor the hillside during the hours of darkness. Geo-technical experts continue to monitor the hillside for any further evidence of movement which will allow a quick response to events as they happen. Traffic management is also in in place to provide additional protection to road users. Since the last incident of a landslip in 2009 an early warning system has been installed, advising motorists of a higher risk of landslips occurring. Flexible flow netting and a new culvert has also been installed.

THE ANTLER

LOAN AND BE THANKFUL

JUGGLING WITH ACRONYMS SKADG HELPS SKDT OUT OF A FD It looked as though all the good work that the South Kintyre Development Trust does was in jeopardy just before Christmas, as it tried to cope with a cash flow situation due to a delay in the retrospective processing of Leader funding. Fortunately the South Kintyre Area Development Group, previously called The Dalintober and Millknowe Tenants and Residents Association, although technically on hold since their AGM in June, still had a balance of over 2,300 in its bank account from the time when ABC and Government agencies decided that DMTRA no longer served an area of housing deprivation, and diverted support to SKDT which covers the whole land area of South Kintyre. Anxious to keep SKDT financially secure, Susan Paterson asked SKADG members if they were prepared to lend SKDT 2,000 interest free until its grant arrived. The response was very positive especially since SKADG already supports SKDT and the original agreement was for a minimum of 2,000!

CARRADALE

GOLF CLUB
Juniors Adult Round 8 17 Daily 10 20 Weekly 80 Two weeks 105 Country 40 132 (May play in Club Competitions) Affiliate Club Members 10

FEES

FERRY FARES
CHANGES TO R.E.T The leader of Argyll and Bute Council has welcomed the principle of an extension to the Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) scheme. However, Councillor Dick Walsh expressed his disappointment that the introduction of some of the routes affecting Argyll and Bute islands was still some way off. The RET scheme involves setting ferry fares on the basis of the cost of travelling an equivalent distance by road. Transport Scotland announced that the scheme which had previously covered only part of the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree would be rolled out on a phased basis. First to begin a new pilot will be Colonsay, Gigha and Islay, although RET will not start there until after the 2012 summer season in October 2012. In the case of the two Arran routes (Brodick and Claonaig) RET will not kick in until after the 2014 summer season in October 2014, three years from now.The others including the two Bute routes, Iona, Lismore and three Mull routes will be rolled out within the terms of this Parliament. The Tarbert-Portavadie route is not mentioned at all in Transport Scotlands plans. Councillor Walsh said: We are pleased that a wider range of island communities are going to benefit from RET, because it is evident from the first pilot that the scheme has an early beneficial effect on island communities and economies.

For further information Contact The Secretary,

Margaret Richardson 2 Old Schoolhouse, Carradale, PA28 6QJ Tel: 01583 431788

JOHNNY DURNAN
Servicing Motor and Commercial vehicles, Repairing & Servicing Garden machinery & Outboards

FUEL TAX
RURAL FUEL REBATE I am writing to you today to update you on our campaigns progress over the past few months. In March 2011, the UK Government formally applied to the European Commission for permission to cut tax on the fuel sold in rural areas of Scotland. Just a few weeks ago, this application was approved by the European Commission, opening the way to the Rural Fuel Rebate becoming a reality. I am sure you will agree that this is a major step forward in delivering a cut in fuel prices for rural motorists. I will continue to press my Liberal Democrat colleagues in the UK Government to introduce the 5p price reduction as soon as is practical. I will continue to keep you updated as the campaign progresses towards a successful conclusion. In the meantime, if I can be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours Sincerely, George Lyon, MEP.

PIER HOUSE FIRE

TIMELY ARRIVAL OF LOCAL FIRE-FIGHTERS In late November Fire and Rescue Services were called to the Pier House at Carradale Harbour. Two local Firemen, wearing breathing apparatus, were able to extinguish the fire before it progressed into the upper floor and before the arrival of a Campbeltown crew; this followed a chimney fire a few weeks earlier at the same premises. No one was hurt as a result of either fire.

Garden maintenance, Grass cutting Hedge trimming & Fencing, Paths and drives pressure washed.

Small building work undertaken, Joiner, Plumbing, Tiling, Plastering.

A NEW CHESTNUT
On New Years Day excavations were in progress on the narrow strip of land between the road and the School path. It was not the scene of a water leak or electric fault but a gift to the village of a chestnut tree by some public spirited residents. Thanks.

GIVE ME A CALL ON 431365

CARRADALES ODD JOB MAN

THE ANTLER

TOMMY MILLAR
TRAVEL
COUNSELLOR
For all your Travel and Holiday arrangements put your trust in your own Travel Adviser

FUEL GROUP MEETING: NO 1,

THURSDAY 17TH NOVEMBER 2011 AT THE VILLAGE HALL PRESENT: Marcus Adams, Shelagh Cameron, Molly Dodds, Eric Dudley, Catharine Forbes, Jim Galbraith, Sue Harris, Cameron McNair, John McMillan, Mary McMillan, Lachie Paterson, Morna Paterson, Kenneth Semple, Mary Semple and Robert Strang. The meeting was chaired by Shelagh Cameron. BACKGROUND: Shelagh explained the background to the competition and related the conversations she has had with Terence Barker Ltd, a potential supplier of an above ground tank system. Unfortunately they had not yet supplied a detailed price. Eric Dudley explained that he had been in contact with the Big Lottery to ask if part of the grant money could be used to buy the first consignment of fuel and so act as a float. They replied that this would not be possible. ROLES TO BE FILLED. A suggested list of roles to be filled was presented. It was decided that we should not attempt to fill the roles now but think about it with a view to assigning roles at the next meeting. 1. Overall coordination. Coordination both of the process of putting the proposal together but also of the long term implementation. 2. Technical. Determining the technical specification and prices. 3. Organizational. How are other communities running their filling station and what is our proposal? 4. Business. When all the information is available, writing the business plan. In the meantime determining whether we need to set up a company now and a merchant account what costs are involved. 5. Legal. Are we correct in thinking that by using the Semple site we are OK for planning and other regulations? If not what is required? What are long term legal requirements regarding maintenance, inspection, and insurance? What form of contract should we have with the Semples? Who are we for legal purposes? 6. Fund raising. Depending on the above issues, what additional money is required and where can we get it, and how quickly? 7. Proposal writing. When all the information is available pulling it together into the formal application. TECHNICAL DISCUSSION Kenneth Semple gave an invaluable briefing about many of the technical and financial issues surrounding running a fuel business. Among the points were: The profit was around 3 to 3.5 pence per litre. The price paid to the supplier includes the tax. The tanks capacity was 20,000 litres but they were never full. The annual consumption was around 225,000 litres each of petrol and diesel. Due to some rural enterprise scheme he did not have to pay rates on the fuel business. Due to the small size of the installation they had not been required to install an inceptor. This is a significant issue since Terence Barker Ltd, the potential supplier of the new system, has suggested that we would need an inceptor. Ken undertook to look into this and the situation regarding whether Argyll and Bute would allow an above ground petrol tank. ORGANIZATIONAL DISCUSSION It was explained that the Big lottery required an organization to pay the money to and that the organization could not be a public body such as a Community Council. It would have to either be Network Carradale or a new Community Interest Company established for the purpose. The consensus was that it would probably make sense for Network Carradale to adopt the project. One suggestion was that the project should be described as a joint venture initiated by the Community Council and implemented by Network Carradale. It was agreed that at the next meeting we should decide how best to proceed. There was also a consensus that it was urgent that we learnt more of the experiences of Applecross and other communities which already have a community petrol station. Shelagh said she would try and revive contacts with Applecross. FINANCIAL DISCUSSION It was explained that under the rules of the competition there was no requirement for matching funding. However, although the prices for the installation were not yet available it seemed pretty clear that for the project to work it would need additional funds. It was explained that under the rules of the Village SOS completion the Big Lottery element of the funding had to be the majority component, which means that the

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THE ANTLER
maximum which we could raise from other sources would be one pence less than 30,000. There was discussion about the Wind-farm Trust. The next meeting is not due until March but it was felt that an earlier meeting could be arranged if need be. Morna Paterson undertook to pursue possible funding leads in Argyll and Bute Council. LEGAL DISCUSSION There were concerns raised about: Health and safety issues around above ground tanks. Would the established use of the Semple Garage be sufficient Planning Permission to cover above ground tanks, bearing in mind that they are considered mobile? Was the Semples generous offer to host the installation on their site going to raise complications for them, particularly if they wanted to sell their property? Would this be a problem for the proposal? Nothing was decided on how to advance these issues but we agreed that they were urgent. MAILING LIST AND SKILLS AUDIT The e-mail addresses of those who wanted to be kept informed about progress were collected. There was also an attempt to collect details of relevant areas of interest or skills. The one result from this was that Jim Galbraith is an engineer with technical interests who could be a useful resource on the technical aspects of this project NEXT MEETING The next meeting was arranged to be on Wednesday 23rd November at the Network Centre. If there are any significant inaccuracies or omissions in this report please let me know (Eric Dudley) at eric@mapmaker.com and Ill attempt to fix it. Also if you have any relevant information or documentation that you wish to share please send it to me and Ill put it on the fuel page at www.villageweb.org.uk Eric Dudley.

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FUEL GROUP MEETING: NO 2

WEDNESDAY 23TH NOVEMBER AT THE NETWORK CENTRE PRESENT Marcus Adams, Alasdair Bennett, Shelagh Cameron, Eric Dudley, Jim Galbraith, Sue Harris, Mike Hurst, Donald Macalister Hall Alan Milstead, Geoffrey Page, Lachie Paterson, Morna Paterson, Kenneth Semple, Robert Strang, Catriona Trott, Malcolm Trott, Jim Williamson. Alan Walker and Stuart Irvine were present for the beginning of the meeting. The meeting was chaired by Shelagh Cameron. OUTCOMES Implementation. It was agreed that the project was initiated by the Community Council and will be implemented by Network Carradale. Technical. Jim Galbraith agreed to coordinate the development of the technical proposal. Business. Morna Paterson agreed to coordinate the development of the business plan. Organizational. Shelagh Cameron agreed to coordinate the development of the proposal for community management of the project. Fund Raising. Robert Strang agreed to coordinate fund raising, though everybody agreed there was an urgent need to first know what costs were involved. Proposal. Eric Dudley agreed to coordinate the assembly of the final proposal, providing the bits not covered by the business plan. He also undertook to place information on the web site and liaise with the competition organizers where necessary. Legal. Nobody undertook the responsibility to look at the legal issues such a planning, health and safety, environmental regulations, and the contract with the Semples. It was suggested that the Technical team should look at the planning issues. Marketing. Nobody undertook to specifically address marketing but it will be implicit in the business plan. Eric Dudley. A third meeting was held on Wednesday 30th November and others may follow before the February deadline for second stage submissions.

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THE ANTLER

WOODEN IT BE NICE?
In a peninsula with extensive cover of Forestry Commission and privately owned conifer plantations, it is not surprising that trees have a unique place in the memory and in the future of its residents. During the war years, when timber of all sorts was a priority, need was distinctly more important than preserving natural habitats. After both the first and second World Wars preservationists saw the continuing blanket of sitka spruce and other non-native trees as a blot on the landscape and caused the Forestry Commission to slowly change its attitude, embracing environmental issues concerned with recreation and the re-instatement of community planting of native trees. The Commission was always an important employer in Kintyre but as harvesting methods changed and mechanised harvesting became common, there was less need for local forest workers and contracting out to private companies became the order of the day. With a steady decline in the coal industry and the rise of nuclear energy as a means of producing electricity, even pit props lost their place in the hierarchy of uses. When nuclear became a dirty word, oil and gas seemed the way to go but when North Sea products started to wane and the Soviet Union, having lost its prestige with perestroika, saw its untapped reserves as a way of returning to the power scene - prices rose. Now, in Scotland, with little SNP support for nuclear energy, wind and water schemes are proliferating, slowly at first, but quickening as resistance to violent changes to the landscape grows among preservationists. Wood has emerged from this period with a somewhat indifferent reputation, but in chip form is providing a heat source for domestic and some business applications. Although its polluting aspect is not so prominent as coal was in the early 1990s when Argyll and Bute Council was concerned about air quality in Tarbert and some parts of Campbeltown, wood has emerged as an increasingly important fuel for those without town gas and who find it difficult to keep up with the rising cost of premium heating oil and bulk deliveries of liquid gas. More sophisticated systems working on ground heat and reverse refrigeration principles are becoming available, especially for new properties, but with large numbers of properties remaining up for sale in some areas of Kintyre, there is little interest in new building except for those who have sold to advantage in areas, where house prices have been much higher than they are locally. However, for those of more modest means, wood has been in use as a fuel for centuries where it can be procured from the sea or from local woods, but with Forestry Commission detritus becoming more commonly available and wood and multi-fuel stoves, with or without back boilers, now humping their way into a number of homes, there is a resurgence of interest among those who traditionally chose oil or electricity for heating and hot water. There are, however, a few brace & belt owners who are prepared to house a multi-fuel system, but the initial costs out-way the advantage of being able to switch when the price of one fuel rises significantly. Solar water heating is becoming more popular and if you believe what adverts say about the pay-back advantages of solar heating, you may be tempted to add yet another logue to the conflagration. Perhaps a more sensible and environmentally friendly move is to join the cuckoo, swallows and house martins (and some Kintyre residents) and spend the winter months in the rocky and tree-less slopes of Spain and Portugal, returning in the spring to greet yet another cold and wet summer with the secure knowledge that any money saved on fuel will have been lost by ambitious and untrustworthy bankers.

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EAST KINTYRE COMMUNITY COUNCIL

THE SITUATION: JANUARY 2012 Despite scouring notice-boards and bus shelters, with a camera at the ready, the Editor was unable to find the minutes of the December meeting of East Kintyre Community Council. Two residents who attended the meeting, one as an officeholder, and the other as a member of the public, said that both the Convenor Shelagh Cameron and the Vice Convenor, Lachie Paterson had resigned their positions, leaving the appointment of their successors to the meeting on February 2nd. It is not clear whether Shelagh and Lachie remain as members of the Community Council. Some time ago the Community Council were asked to increase the number of councillors from 7 to 10 but the Convenor decided not to follow Argyll and Bute Councils advice. Now with the possibility of having 7 or less councillors, six or less representing Carradale and only one serving East Kintyre south of Saddell Burn to the Campbeltown border, the democratic representation is unbalanced and probably inadequate.

Longrow

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THE 'VALIANT HEARTS' WALK

The sponsored walk in aid of Erskine Hospital, which seems set to become an annual event, took place on 19th November. Charles MacMillan and Mark Charlswoood, started from Campbeltown War memorial at 7am and followed the Kintyre Way, arriving at their goal, Carradale Memorial, in near darkness shortly after 4pm. The distance covered, 27 miles, was slightly more than intended owing to an unscheduled detour but the two walkers were in good heart when welcomed back by friends and relations for soup and sandwiches at the Cruban. The total raised by sponsorship was 950. 700 will go to Erskine Hospital and 250 towards the cost of the cleaning, repairs and tidying up of the Carradale Memorial and it's garden. In bright sunshine on Remembrance Sunday the improvements were much appreciated and admired by the larger than usual attendance. Charles and Mark would like to thank everybody for their support.

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9 NOVEMBER RAINFALL
November was a month of two distinct halves. Up until Wednesday 16th there had been a total of 26mm (just over an inch of rain) and on nine days no rainfall was recorded. It all changed on the 17th. The second half of the month was wet, at times very wet and rainfall was recorded on every day. There were notably high daily totals on the 18th, 24th, 25th, & 26th when 24mm, 12mm, 25mm, 15mm were recorded. The wettest day of all, was the 29th when there was a massive 35mm (an inch and a half.) The accumulated total rainfall for November was 189 mm (over seven and a half inches.) But with the relatively dry start to the month the total is below average for November although you would be forgiven for thinking otherwise as to all appearances it was a dull, dreary and wet. With just one more month to go the annual total to date is 1684mm. Of the eleven years of our records 2011 is plumb in the middle. So whether it is an annual figure above or below average will depend entirely as to what rainfall we get in December.

THE ANTLER

SCHOOL NEWS

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CHRISTMAS CONCERT On Tuesday 13th, the school Christmas concert was performed to a large audience. The pupils put on three plays: 'The Nativity', 'Snowmen at Sunset' and 'Pirates with Molly on Board'. As well as the plays, the p4-7 recorder group played 'Jingle Bells' and then played 'Good King Wenceslas' on the bells; Elliot Gemmill sang 'The Twelve days of Christmas', which the audience joined in with. The school raised 280 and would like to thank everyone who came along to the concert.

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DECEMBER RAINFALL
.and what did we get ? Rain, Rain, and more Rain. Rainfall was again recorded on every day of the month with high rainfall on many of them which resulted in a monthly total of 327mm (over 13 inches). This statistic reflects the highest monthly total for December during the time that we have been keeping records. Country wide statistics record the highest rainfall ever and if we had not had a dry Spring it would have been a record breaking year here too, but the annual total for 2011 in this area is 2011 mm (80.44 inches). This is in fact our 4th highest annual total behind:2004 2253mm 90 (90.12) inches 2002 2189mm 88 (87.89) inches 2006 2050mm 82 (82.00) inches. It is into the New year that I write this report and continuing very stormy strong winds and accompanying heavy rain makes it a very wet start to 2012. M.L.

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INITIATIVEITIS
CCC, VHC, EKCC, CHUG, & AD HOCIANA ACRONYMIC CONFUSION? While most local groups have an independent and separate role, why do the same or similar faces appear on almost every committee? One preChristmas example was the sudden, late and dramatic appearance of a well-known resident at the monthly meeting of the Camera Club when he should have been at a road fuel meeting in the Village Hall the following evening. Confused by being an uninvited guest of the CCC and at the Village Hall on the same night, he came and went with such speed that he left photographers somewhat over-exposed to the November night air. No doubt his snappy action may have surprised some new-comers to the hobby, but whether it encouraged him to develop his artistic side or to add yet another committee to his blossoming repertoire is not known.

CHRISTMAS LUNCH On Thursday 15th December, the school held its Christmas lunch which the community were invited to. 44 members of the community joined staff and pupils for a wonderful Christmas Lunch. We would like to thank the community members for joining us for lunch and Mrs Sheena Ramsay for cooking a lovely meal.

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CARRADALE PRIMARY GET THEIR SECOND ECO-SCHOOLS GREEN FLAG AWARD Carradale Primary has recently achieved Eco-Schools Green Flag Award status and received their second green flag. On awarding this to the school, Eco-School Scotland said, "Despite a falling school role, I was delighted to read that Carradale Primary has been carrying on its environmental activities from previous Award most thoroughly, as well as having many good ideas for the future. In so doing, you have continued to involve parents, members of your local community and environmental agencies. In particular, I was pleased to note that you were making super use of your outside space for learning and teaching and taking part, most successfully, in the Forest Schools' Initiative. Well Done!" Reports by Lynn Galbraith.

CARRADALE BRANCH OPEN THURSDAY 10 to 11 a.m.

10

THE ANTLER

10

CREDIT AT 27.2%
HOME IMPROVEMENTS LOANS Argyll and Bute Councils trading standards team is warning the public to be on their guard when it comes to signing credit agreements for home improvements. Trading standards has received several complaints from consumers regarding particular home improvement company salespeople. These salespeople visit your home to quote for potential work and then encourage householders to sign up to credit agreements that they do not fully understand. One local consumer, a 78 year old lady, was given a ten year credit agreement with an APR of 27.2%. The original cash price for the work was 5000; but under the agreement she would end up paying the company 13,172.80 in total. She had no idea that what was she was signing for was in fact a credit agreement. Another gentleman was told by the sales rep that if he signed up to a credit agreement he would be given six months of interest free payments. At that time the gentleman had the money to pay off the balance in full, but was advised that he would benefit from a discount if he signed the Credit Agreement. After six months passed, the gentleman called up to pay off the balance for the work done and found that interest had in fact been charged during the supposedly interest free period. Chair of the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee Councillor Daniel Kelly said, When a consumer signs a contract in their home they are entitled to a cancellation period of seven days. This starts as soon as they are given the cancellation notice. It is an offence for a company or trader to enter into a contract under these conditions if they do not provide the consumer with such a cancellation notice. If a consumer cancels the contract within the notice period this automatically cancels any Credit Agreements attached to it. However if you cancel the credit agreement after the cancellation period, they will be liable for the cost of the work done. If you are not sure what you are signing then dont sign. Anyone who need more advice on credit agreements should contact Consumer Direct on 0845 404 0506 or Trading Standards on 01546 604 404.

BARCLAYCARD CALLING
A former Barclays Unicorn Trust employee was interested to receive a welcoming call from a Glasgow voiced agent offering to make him more aware of the facilities offered by Barclaycard. Warming to his declared familiarity with Carradale, the resident answered the request for his year of birth, but stopped short when he was asked for his e-mail address. Surprised by the lack of co-operation the enquirer was somewhat disappointed when he was thanked for his call and the telephone was switched off . Barclaycard was contacted through the telephone number on a monthly statement and, after fighting through seemingly endless automatic processes, an Indian gentleman was told what had happened; he said he would consult the fraud department. After some delay he confirmed that Barclaycard had not been in contact earlier that day and that a scam had been attempted which could have had costly implications. So, once again, the warning goes out dont tell anyone telephoning you anything about your affairs; if they are genuinely representatives of a banking, investment, insurance, telephone or electricity company, they already have your details.

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KANGAROO TEARS?
I had an email this morning from, allegedly, John Dixon, who was 'writing with tears in his eyes' because he had been on a short holiday in Spain and robbed AT GUNPOINT in the street, relieved of all money, credit cards, mobile phone etc and was destitute and urgently needed help....!!!! The message was preceded by a warning from some security mechanism that it might not be all that it seemed. I'll say! A Carradale resident received this message supposedly from someone she knows who lives in Australia. Subsequently she had an e-mail from the real John Dixon saying that he has been a victim of cyber-crime and had all contact addresses etc stolen, hence the pathetic appeal. He was with btinternet but has now changed his e-mail address. If you receive a message like this, contact your friend by land line or mobile and see if (a) he is in trouble, (b) is still having difficulty returning home or (c) is aware of his computer identity being compromised.

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A SOUND INVESTMENT
HORSE TRADING AT ITS BEST Young Paddy bought a donkey from a farmer for 100. The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day. The next day he drove up and said, ' Sorry son, but I have some bad news. The donkey's died.' Paddy replied, ' Well then just give me my money back.' The farmer said, ' Can't do that. I've already spent it.' Paddy said, ' OK, then, just bring me the dead donkey.' The farmer asked, ' What are you going to do with him?' Paddy said, I'm going to raffle him off.' The farmer said, 'You can't raffle a dead donkey!' Paddy said, ' Sure I can. Watch me. I just won't tell anybody he's dead.' A month later, the farmer met up with Paddy and asked, ' What happened with that dead donkey?' Paddy said, 'I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at two pounds a piece and made a profit of 998'. The farmer said, ' Didn't anyone complain?' Paddy said, ' Just the guy who won. So I gave him his two pounds back.' Sent in by Isabella Soudan of Lochgilphead.

CINEMA GRANT
It has just been announced on the RBS Community Force web-site that we have won 6,000 to go towards our new digital projection equipment. Thank you and all those you dragooned into helping so very much for your support. It was only because each one of you bothered that we are in this position. You had to be extremely determined to jump through all the necessary hoops to achieve the chance to vote, but it all paid off. The rest of the Board of Campbeltown Community Business Ltd. (The Picture House) join me in thanking you most sincerely. What a fillip and credit for our small town, you have kept this cinema going as a community business for over 20 years. It was touch and go on the last morning of voting, our rivals were racing up behind our score, 50 behind us the night before, then 30 first thing in the morning and we reckon we finished up with 443 votes, about 18 ahead of our pursuer! Please keep an eye on our web-site www.wee pictures.co.uk for further news and developments in The Centenary Project. With best wishes, Jane Mayo.

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11

THE ANTLER

11

FORGET PENSIONERS CARRYING THE OLYMPIC TORCH

WE HAVE THREATS OF OLYMPIAN BELLS

While there may well be a valid reason to celebrate the Olympics coming to the UK, the extent of the celebrations stretching over eighteen months since London was awarded the honour is beginning to take its toll on those of us who are not particularly competitive, nationalistic or keen to celebrate physical records being broken. Although Scotland may become inveigled in some serious and worthwhile way, the most recent and most unlikely Scottish contribution has come from Martin Creed, a Glasgow born artist living in the East End of London. With little understanding of the impracticability of what he is proposing in asking for bells of all kinds to be rung as quickly as possible for three minutes to celebrate the opening of the games, he may be successful in persuading sporty Scotsmen to press their own or their neighbours door doorbell for three minutes, but he may greeted with a peal of abuse on his Olympic performance. Some churches and the Central Council of Church Bell-ringers have put the death knell of a half muffle on their clappers and closed tower doors to any young inexperienced ringers keen to take part. At least one national newspaper has also shown its ignorance of campanology in showing pictures of bells in a number of towers with descriptions which didnt ring true. Great Paul from St Pauls Cathedral (16.5 tons), Great George of Liverpool Anglican Cathedral (14.5 tons) and Great Tom of Oxford (6 tons) were cast with pictures of unrelated frames elsewhere in the UK, with much lighter bells. So the Creed initiative, with little to recommend it to encourage ringers to make the steep and exhausting climbs to bell-chambers, will be discordant and doomed to fail much like the penchant for expecting average to good athletes to perform like champions. Im afraid it will be left to a few cycle bells, school bells and hand-bell groups to celebrate the event. Martins creed and artistic calling are inexorably of the same ilk; he certainly has his work cut out if he is to surpass his 2001 Turner prize-winning work No 79 entitled - Some BluTak kneaded, rolled into a ball, and depressed against a wall. While any really Olympian task is well beyond Martin Creeds range, he could try ringing the tenor bell dedicated to St Molaise in the tower at Inveraray it weighs in at 41cwt (2112kgs), and would take him much longer than the allocated three minutes to get it to make a single chiming sound; learning to ring the bell from its inverted position would take months of practise, and need an experienced campanologist to augment the muscular development he has obtained by rolling Blu-Tak into a ball. It was a much more sympathetic treatment of bells on BBC2 on 7th and on BBC4 8th of December when the orchestral conductor Charles Hazlewood managed to combine three local towers and a large group of hand-bell ringers in a festival of bell sounds in the square of Great St Marys in Cambridge, while the street market was in progress. The following week Richard Taylor, (no intrinsic connection with the novelist Dorothy L. Sayers about Lord Peter Wimseys investigations and the story of mysterious deaths associated with an emerald and nine Taylor bells,) introduced an encyclopedic history of bells on BBC2, which was also repeated a day later on BBC4. No doubt as we approach the Olympics and programme planners try to keep non-sporting families interested in watching the TV, both programmes may be repeated again and again and again.

The tenor bell dedicated to St Molaise

Photo and text from the Inveraray bell-tower web-site.

INVERARAY BELLS
In 1914 the 10th Duke of Argyll, Niall Diarmid Campbell, became the Honorary Colonel of The 8th Battalion of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. When the First World War ended he decided that there should be a fitting memorial to commemorate the Clan Campbell dead. To this end he commissioned architects Hoare and Wheeler to design the Bell Tower, the original idea being to link the new tower to the church. At the same time John Taylor and Company of Loughborough were approached to cast a ring of 10 bells suitable for the memorial. As the housing for the bells would not be finished until well after they were cast, a wooden slatted annexe that allowed the bells to be chimed via a keyboard was built nearby. The bells were cast in 1920 in Loughborough. Their transport from there to Inveraray, which took place in November 1921, was less than smooth. The first lorry broke down in Lancashire. Then when the second lorry reached The Little Rest on the lower part of the old Rest and Be Thankful road it would go no further. The treble bell and ironwork frames had to be unloaded to allow the lorry to continue the ascent. However even this was not enough and the second bell had to be left behind as well before the lorry made it to the summit. The abandoned bells and frames were retrieved the following day. The construction of the 126 foot high tower was begun in 1921 and completed ten years later in 1931. The bells were then taken from the annexe and hoisted into their proper place, where they can still be seen today. The whole exercise had cost just over 21,000 (approximately 1 million in todays money!). Source: The Inveraray Bells web-site.

ANOTHER CLANGER
The loss of Oliver Postgate and Ronald Searle in the last twelve months has left the 1950s and 1960s generation with little of cultural value to pass on to its grandchildren. Childrens TV moved to Blue Peter, and more colourful programmes like Rainbow, Telly-tubbies, Balamory, Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, and more recently to the Splatalot game-show where youngsters take risks which youth leaders and teachers have long been advised to avoid. What will 2012 bring to childrens TV? Will it force parents to turn off, visit the library and ask for an unexpurgated copy of Grimms Fairy Stories?

AND A TINKLE
The absence of electricity over the New Year period, and a necessary return to analogue phones, left Kintyre telephones cut off from other parts of Britain; some mobiles were also out of action. Surprised by an automatic call from the electricity supplier some residents received a request to comment on its service. In agreeing they were asked to press button 1 and were promptly cut off. Replacing the phone and lifting it again customers were informed there was something wrong with the service!

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THE ANTLER

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DADS ARMY: ARNOLD RIDLEY

One of the perennial features of Christmas TV is the re-appearance of Dads Army. Although quite a few of the platoon are now dead, at least one has had his real military career reviewed in an authoritative magazine devoted to military history. The January issue of Britain at War contains a double page spread about the wartime experiences of the most venerable member of the cast of Dads Army, Arnold Ridley, appearing as Private Charles Godfrey. The highlight of his appearance in one episode was while recovering in bed he was visited by the platoon who had only recently ignored him because of his theatrical role as a conscientious objector in an earlier campaign. In the scene a photograph showed Private Godfrey with the Military Medal, awarded for his gallantry as a stretcher bearer for rescuing wounded men on the Somme. In real life Arnold Ridley served in the Somerset Light Infantry after being initially rejected because of a toe injury. In training he was found to be an excellent shot for which he was awarded the crossed rifles trade badge a mark of distinction the badge which he removed from his uniform as he didnt want to become a sniper. He received a shrapnel wound in the back at Arras, but after hospital treatment he was sent over the top at the attack at Deauville Wood where he was struck over the head, bayoneted in the groin and the hand. Fifteen surgical operations saved the hand but three fingers remained almost useless for the rest of his life; he was discharged on health grounds, with the rank Lance Corporal. Having unsuccessfully attempted to establish a film company between the wars, Ridley rejoined the army in 1939 with the rank of Major in the Intelligence Corps and again saw active service with the British Expeditionary Force in France during the Second World War. He suffered shell-shock as he escaped from Boulogne on the last destroyer to leave France in May 1940 when it was repeatedly dive-bombed. On returning to Britain he was reprimanded for not declaring previous war wounds and was invalided out of the Army but served in ENSA, the Entertainment National Services Association. He also joined the Local Defence Volunteers (the forerunner of the Home Guard) but was discharged once again because of his injuries.

Pictured: Diana Mackenzie and Kimberly Wyatt.

SADDELL SUCCESS STORY

DIANA MACKENZIE PROMOTES EX-PUSSYCAT DOLL'S NEW MAKE-UP RANGE AT CLOTHES SHOW LIVE Local make-up artist Diana Mackenzie has just returned from Birmingham Clothes Show Live, where she worked alongside Kimberly Wyatt, ex Pussycat Doll promoting Kimberlys new mineral make up range called BM Beauty. Diana assisted Kimberly Wyatt and Laura McComiskie, Co-founders of BM Beauty to launch their mineral make up brand. Diana was involved in applying the mineral make up to potential clients as well as Kimberlys fan base who were keen to try out the new make up worn and developed by their idol. Kimberly was also performing at the Clothes Show Live with her new band Her Majesty and the Wolves along with making numerous appearances at the BM Beauty stand meant there was never a dull moment during her presence! BM Beauty is proud that their make up products and ingredients are cruelty free and have the stamp of approval from the BUAV and PETA. BM Beauty make up is also free from bismuth oxychloride, parabens, nano particles and synthetic dyes and fragrances.

During this time he adapted the Agatha Christie novel Peril at End House into a West End play. He worked regularly as an actor, including an appearance in the 1964 British comedy Crooks in Cloisters. He was also known for playing Doughy Hood in the radio soap The Archers in the 1960s. However he only became a household name during the 1970s when he was offered the role of Private Charles Godfrey, the gentle platoon medic in one of the most successful British sitcoms: Dad's Army. He appeared in other productions and wrote more than thirty plays among which was The Ghost Train which went to 665 performances in London and was made into a film three times. He continued to appear into his eighties and was appointed an OBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List of 1982, for services to the theatre. Arnold died in 1984 aged 88. If you see another episode of Dads Army over the next few years look out for Private Godfreys damaged hand if its not discretely concealed behind his back. With thanks to G.S. for a loan of the magazine Britain at War and to Wikipaedia for further details on his professional achievements. Editors comment: For those of us who are old enough to remember the Second World War it is surprising that so much attention is given to comedy and to serious comment about aspects of both the first and second World Wars. What is even more surprising is the interest shown by todays teenagers. The pomposity of Mainwaring, the meek submission of Uncle Arthur, the simple antics of the black-market spiv Joe Walker, Corporal Jones enthusiasm, the critical Scottish eye of Fraser and the actions of Mothers boy Frank are unique examples of creative writing and, in addition, a reasonably lifelike portrayal of what often happened in small towns in Britain, in church halls, Observer Corps buildings & Warden dug-outs.

SNAP, CRAIC-EL AND POP

The Carradale Camera Club celebrate the end of another successful year. Photo courtesy of Johnny Durnan and the Carradale Goat web-site.

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