Excerpts from issue 52/07 11 January 2025
Twenty-seven tractors and six trucks congregated in Bowmore Square aheaed of Santa's visit late last year, raising funds for charity.
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These are not the answers you're looking for
In the pre-Christmas issue of 21 December, we published a copy of a letter from Islay Community Council Ferry Committee (ICCFC) sent to Scottish Transport Minister, Fiona Hyslop, decrying the proposed ferry fare increase due at the end of March 2025, and requesting that she reconsider.
The letter pointed out that the proposed 10% increase came on top of a fares increase of 8.7% implemented in March 2024, resulting in a compound increase of 19.5% within a twelve-month period. This despite the CPI inflation figure for the same period being only 10.87%.
The ICCFC forcefully pointed out that this proposed increase was effectively "...an assault on island economies that are dependent on the ferry sevice", adversely affecting the delivery of lifeline goods and services essential to maintain the visibility and sustainability of island communities.
The Ferry Committee went on to list many of the service problems they believe should be taken into account when reconsidering the imposition of such a fares increase: "shortage of vessels, regular breakdowns, delays in delivery of new vessels, a disastrous new ticketing and booking system, failure to provide statistics for months and serious mismanagement of available space."
According to a Ferry Committee spokesperson, "A response has been received from the Transport Minister defending the increase, with an explanation we find to be highly questionable."
CalMac have advised that any bookings currently made for sailings during this year's Summer timetable will be charged at the fares shown on the website.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Daily Express recently published a report claiming that both CalMac and NorthLink Ferries had asked Ms. Hyslop for a 2% fares increase, but the minister "...ignored their knowledge and expertise, instead imposing a 10% hike on the lifeline services."
In the same article, the Express published a response from a Transport Scotland spokesman that is becoming the default reply to all criticisms concerning the parlous state of west coast ferry services: "The Scottish Government is committed to investing in our ferry services. We are delivering six new major vessels to serve Scotland’s ferry network from early 2025 to help reduce the need for extensive repairs on older vessels."
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In this week's issue:
Winter sports, Ferry fares increase, Port Charlotte housing safety, Visitor Levy consultation, Christmas Tractor Run, Calum Bell Memorial Shoot. Lifeboat callouts, Link Club report, Bridgend Bumblers, Highland Dancers, Charlène Busalli's Brought to Book, Rhinns Lighthouse Festival, Big Garden Birdwatch, Pilates classes, That was the Year That Was 2024, Winter driving.
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Rhinns Lighthouse Festival
Plans for the Rhinns Lighthouse Festival Weekend from 8 - 10 August are continuing to be developed, and the organising group is working with the Lighthouse Board and other local organisations to develop an exciting programme of events and activities.
The Festival, marking the bicentennial of the lighthouse on Orsay Island, aims to offer something for everyone.
The entertainment will commence on Friday 8 August, with a traditional ceilidh in the Rhinns Hall, with more entertainment the following evening in the hall or in An Tigh Seinnse.
On the Saturday, there will be a family Sports Day organised by the Rhinns Playing Field Association. The Playing Field chairperson, Emma Crawford, also a member of the Festival working group, said, "The Lighthouse Festival Weekend is a great opportunity for different groups in the Rhinns to work together and we're delighted that the newly re-developed Playing Fields will be part of the celebrations."
Throughout the weekend there will be an exhibition of memorabilia, artefacts, photos, videos and reminiscences, charting the history of the lighthouse and its impact on the people of the Rhinns. A lasting memorial is also being commissioned and this will be formally unveiled during the weekend.
The Festival will culminate in a 'street-party' in Port Wemyss on Sunday 10 August, featuring stalls and entertainment in the village and along the Coastal Path.
The Lighthouse Festival working group is a sub-committee of the Bun Othan Harbour and Recreation Association (BOHRA), which originally established and continues to maintain the Coastal Path in Port Wemyss.
While a number of the Festival Weekend events will generate their own income, the group still requires to raise funds to cover some upfront expenditure and, amongst other things, the cost of the memorial.
The committee is in the process of approaching local businesses and trusts for sponsorship, but would be delighted to accept donations from individuals who want to support the Festival.
Sandy Maclean, the newly appointed treasurer of BOHRA, said, "To help run the Festival we need money up front and we're appealing for donations from individuals who might be able to help us. Any profits generated by the weekend will then be redistributed to the Coastal Path and other local organisations. Every donation, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated, and everyone who contributes will be acknowledged on a Festival Weekend Roll of Honour."
Donations can be made directly to Bun Othan Harbour and Recreation Association Sort Code: 80-22-60 Account Number: 27600960.
Kate Skinner, one of the driving forces behind the Festival, said, "We hope the weekend will be a fun, inclusive, community event and a fitting way to celebrate the 200th birthday of the lighthouse. If you'd like to become involved or if you just want to find out more about what's happening, please follow us on Facebook at 'Rhinns Lighthouse Bicentennial 2025'."
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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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