Excerpts from issue 51/26 5 October 2024
Portintruan Distillery
ISG construction's collapse is the most high-profile in the UK construction sector since Carillion fell into adminstration in 2018.
So said media headlines on Friday 20 September, but it is a collapse that has particular significance on Islay. ISG were the main contractors for Portintruan Distillery, currently under construction in Port Ellen.
Distillery manager, Georgie Crawford told the Ileach, "ISG construction and Elixir Distillers Limited have worked closely together, for a number of years, on our Islay distillery build. During this time, we have built strong relationships with all the ISG staff and contractors, who have been working hard to deliver our project on the island."
Distillery owner, Sukhinder Singh, said, "Our initial thoughts and concerns are for everyone directly affected by the collapse of ISG, especially those made redundant. It will now take some time to partner with the right company to pick up the reins and until then the build site will remain closed to contractors. Our own staff on the island are still working on all the other elements required for the future opening of the distillery."
The collapse of construction giant ISG is "devastating" for the sector and could lead to other firms going under, the boss of an industry trade body has said.
The chief executive of Build UK, Suzannah Nichol, told the BBC's Today programme that many smaller firms in the supply chain would not now receive money, putting their future at risk.
Photo: Islay Studios
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In this week's issue:
Let us entertain you: Islay's and Jura's musical month, Downturn at Ardbeg, Sonas Childcare funding success, CalMac’s swings and roundabouts, RNLI crew miss their concert due to lifeboat callout, Construction woes at Portintruan, Innes Urquhart joins CalMac apprentices, No rest at the Rest, Keills Primary's Fairtrade breakfast, Tourist information centre closes for good, Islay Gin leaves Islay House Square, Laphroaig and Bruichladdich Community days, Port Charlotte Primary's UNICEF fundraiser, Archery Club indoors for the winter, Mactaggart Leisure Centre offers exercise by referral, Charlène Busalli reviews Jenni Fagan book releases, Mod Ile results, Gaelic walks begin, Islay Herd competition results, Ella's dancer successes at Cowal, Lagavulin Jazz Festival review, All Sorts to appear at the Round Church, Community Pipe Band to restart, Former Baptist minister, Jon Magee's new book, Music Review: Tommy Smith and John Taylor
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Islay RNLI misses own charity concert
On Saturday 21 September Islay RNLI launched to assist a motor cruiser without power.
The seven volunteer crew on board made good speed to the 11 metre vessel located to the east of Jura. To prevent the cruiser running aground or being a danger to other vessels in the area, the decision was made to tow them to the nearest safe and suitable port at Crinan, where it was moored safely.
Due to the call-out, the crew missed out on attending a charity concert in support of the RNLI, where they and the all-weather lifeboat were to be guests of honour, just a few hours after the pagers went off.
Islay RNLI coxswain David MacLellan said, "While it was disappointing that the lifeboat couldn't make an appearance on the big night, being called out just goes to show our volunteers will drop everything at any time to help those in trouble at sea.
The event still went ahead without us and thankfully the musical entertainment, refreshments and local stalls all went a long way to help raise funds for the RNLI. Although the crew were disappointed to not make it ashore to enjoy the barbecue, we would like to thank those who enjoyed the night and the team who organised the whole event."
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Music Review
Love Unrequited. Tommy Smith and John Taylor. Available on Bandcamp.
In 2003, Tommy Smith released an album entitled, 'Revolution', featuring some of the world's finest jazz musicians (America's John Pattituci, John Scofield, Bill Stewart, Joe Lovano and British pianist, John Taylor)
The album was recorded straight to two-track tape in Avatar Studios, New York, but while there, Smith and Taylor sneaked in a few duo sessions of their own. These have now been released under the title 'Love Unrequited'.
Taylor sadly died in 2015, a musician of which Tommy Smith noted, "John Taylor was an inspirational light that has gone out into the universe. He was a scholarly man with the kindest heart who projected the purest, most exquisite piano sound that ever dawned in the jazz world.
"One note from John could debase your soul. I will miss him with profound sadness but with a twist of wistfulness, as his beautiful persona has left a warm memory in my soul, like many of those he touched."
The six tracks included on 'Love Unrequited' are some of the most serene and meditative you will discover anywhere in the great panoply of jazz music.
It is somewhat of a cliché within musical circles to state that 'less is more', but rarely has that phrase been more applicable. Predominantly, within any album of music, whether jazz, pop, blues or otherwise, there is a single track which stands ever so slightly taller than its peers. Such an option is missing in action on this recording, where all six are every bit the equal of each other.
And for those who possess a copy of 'Evolution', or may have come across it in their travels, 'Love Unrequited' couldn't be more different. The superb, wistful playing demonstrates each musician's great respect for the other's expression; no standing on toes, no getting in the way.
The compositions are chosen from those much favoured by Smith; from Billy Strayhorn's 'A Flower is a Lovesome Thing', Jimmy Rowles' 'The Peacocks', 'I Loves You Porgy' by George and Ira Gershwin, and a beautiful reading of Ellington's 'In a Sentimental Mood'.
Naturally enough, given the palmares of both musicians, this would be filed under 'Jazz' in any record store, or on iTunes, but in truth, it's simply great music played by two of the world's finest musicians, with a relatively unrestricted appeal.
bp
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This is Islay
A monthly podcast featuring individuals, personalities and features of Islay and Jura. Listen now at https://anchor.fm/thisisislay
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