Issue 95

February 2019

Hello and welcome to the February edition of the Voice for Arran!

We hope you have had a good start to 2019. At the Voice we are feeling inspired by all community activity going on here and by the many people doing a lot of amazing work, and which is creating the feeling that the potential for Arran to become more sustainable, even self-sufficient in some areas, is increasing. While the UK government remains in deadlock over Brexit and continues to take inconsistent policy positions on climate targets, the folk on Arran in contrast have been getting things together in very tangible ways.

In this issue we report on the work of TAP-Arran, the island’s campaign against single use plastic, which has just been designated Scotland’s first ‘Plastic Free Community’ by the Surfers Against Sewage national campaign. In other exciting news, Eco Savvy and Visit Arran have received funding to start putting their ideas for an on-island waste disposal system into practice. And Arran resident and graphic designer Simon Ross-Gill, shares his vision for how we can all live more sustainably, with an abundance of suggestions for how each of us can find ways to make the island (and world), a more ecologically happy place to be. On his newly launched Arran Green Map, Simon gathers together all the local initiatives, businesses and small scale producers that are working on Arran to make this happen.

We also hear from an ex-Arranite about her recent adventures with the climate action group Extinction Rebellion in Wales. Living and working in Carmarthenshire now, Sue Weaver was instrumental in the early work of both TAP-Arran and Eco Savvy and fundamental to the results of these efforts we see today. Now she is putting her energy and experience into the rapidly growing global movement of XR, alongside the many others who are taking up the call to rebellion in the face of government climate inaction. XR may not have reached Arran yet, but with a UK wide School Strike for Climate happening in the middle of this month, you never know!

Finally we also have Part Two of Sally Campbell’s detailed case study on the effects of the salmon farming company Marine Harvest in different parts of the world, some news from local MP Patricia Gibson and MSP Kenneth Gibson, and some previews for upcoming Arran events.

The stories here show it is a positive and exciting moment for Arran, a geographical point in time where the start of some real change in the way societies are organised might be possible. But perhaps even more motivating is the fact that wherever we may be, when we are either reading about these initiatives or working in practical ways to make a more sustainable future, we are also connected to this same exciting moment. Hope you all have a lovely, frosty February!

How to Live Sustainably on the Isle of Arran in 2019

By Simon Ross-Gill Simon Ross-Gill is a graphic designer who grew up on Arran and spent seven years living in Peru. He has worked for Woodside Arran, helped COAST set up the Octopus Centre, volunteered at Eco Savvy's Whiting Bay shop, has been on the Think About Plastic steering committee and has volunteered at a community garden in Cladach since…

Climate School Strikes Go Global

A global, independent youth movement is gaining momentum - with a UK strike planned for February

A report from Campaign Against Climate Change, and news from young Scottish climate activist and conservationist Holly Gillibrand. 

.A UK wide student strike has been called on Friday 15th February 2019 to protest against climate inaction, with a global strike following on Friday 15th March. There have been escalating young people's school strikes across the globe, with tens of thousands coming onto the streets to demand action to stop global warming and environmental destruction. All have been inspired by Greta Thunberg, who began a solo climate protest by striking from school in Sweden in August 2018. Since then, thousands of school students around the world have joined her.

Extinction Rebellion – a Report from Carmarthenshire

This was the birth of Extinction Rebellion, a movement that calls for mass economic disruption using non-violent direct action and civil disobedience to halt the destruction of the planet and its wildlife and prevent catastrophic climate change.

31st October 2018 was also the day I moved away from Arran to return to Carmarthenshire. I couldn’t be in London that day but my heart was there and I knew that rejoining the mainland would enable me to throw myself into the movement, known as XR.

Looking towards a circular economy for Arran – Eco Savvy news

Eco Savvy and Visit Arran, together with Strathclyde University and analytics business Topolytics, have been successful in acquiring funding from Interface to model food waste streams on Arran. The project aims to help understand how, where and when food waste is generated and disposed of, and if it can contribute to a sustainable circular economy for Arran.

Interface, which matches businesses and academics for innovative research and development projects, awarded the funding after recommendations by a panel of industry experts.The funding call targeted collaborations in three sectors with specific themes in each - harnessing data (creative industries), integrity across the supply chain (food & drink) and circular economy (tourism) – with the potential to transform the sectors.

What is a circular economy?

Through its research and work with organisations that are making the transition towards a circular economy the Ellen MacArthur Foundation has written a concept paper which outlines the idea of a circular economy. Parts of their research are printed below. For more information about their work see here. Also below are some examples from the Zero Waste Scotland website of Scottish companies…

Farming Salmon – A Good Idea ? Part Two

A TIME OF REFLECTION ON HOW LONG MEANINGFUL CHANGE TAKES IN THE REAL WORLD A RECENT CASE STUDY, PART 2

In Part two of her article, Sally Campbell turns the focus from Chile to the developments of Marine Harvest and the salmon farming industry in British Colombia and the concerns that were raised by local First Nation populations. She then brings us back closer to home with a look at the situation in Scotland.So that is Chile…what about Marine Harvest in British Columbia?Salmon farms in British Columbia gained popularity in the 1980s and soon resulted in the classic overproduction scenario, the short term profit margin driver.So what about Scotland and Marine Harvest practice here after these 10 years since the Oslo AGM?Escapes:Disease:Pasturella skyensisAntibiotics:Aeromonas salmonicidaREFLECTION:Sally CampbellPostScript January 2019Save The Swilly. Ireland’s perspective.Around 2000 onwards MH reactivated applications for multiple sites in the Swilly, we have held those off, however we know they could come back at any time. We have, along with other groups around the entire Republic of Ireland coastline, forced the Govt into a position where there is effectively a moratorium on licence applications and licence renewals, this when the Govt is actively promoting aquaculture of all sorts. The downside is that the Govt have given the nod to farmers to carry on, on their old sites. I have no doubt that the situation would be much, much worse if we did not exist, licences granted on the nod, farms operating outside their licenced area with no regard to law, protocols etc. We have also raised public awareness immeasurably.”“Save The Swilly has become involved since that time in the wider Water Framework Directive, and we have made a number of submissions under that umbrella over the years, with specific reference to the coastal zone, on the one hand, and more explicitly to the issue of aquaculture. Ireland has been in a virtual stasis due to the successful challenge from an environmental NGO, Friends of the Irish Environment, to the failure of the Irish government to adhere to Natura 2000 in their aquaculture licensing regime. This has been a fair cop, and instead of immediately correcting the licensing regime the Irish Government was frozen in the headlights for a number of years, until last year when they launched an accelerated licensing "catch-up" and granted a raft of licences simultaneously.The whole approach is disappointing, as the licensing authorities appear to have learned little from this process other than to be even less transparent and consultative. (Sally: in other words take cover !) “I believe that MH/MOWI in Donegal continues to use pesticides, dyes and antibiotics, but references are oblique. This is from their website: By the strict definition of "organic" these products would not be defined as such, but the Soil Association, among others (Naturland Verband (Germany), Bio Suisse (Switzerland) and the Global Trust Certification) has compromised the definition.This is what the Soil Association says about the use of chemicals:In other words, they can use chemicals if nothing else works! On feed, the Soil Association has also compromised by setting the bar low:You must source feed for carnivorous aquaculture animals with the following priorities:1. organic feed products of aquaculture origin2. fish meal and fish oil from organic aquaculture trimmings3. fish meal and fish oil and ingredients of fish origin derived from trimmings of fish already caught for human consumption in sustainable fisheries4. organic feed materials of plant or animal origin5. feed products derived from whole fish caught in fisheries certified as sustainable under a scheme recognised by the competent authority in line with the principles laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council.You must record the type and quantity of feed. The feed ration may comprise a maximum of 60 % organic plant products”.“The question is whether consumers realise that the "organic" salmon they are eating actually has been exposed to chemicals from various treatments; that the feed is organic only to the degree specified by the definitions agreed. There is NO black and white in this process, only degrees of greyness...”

TAP Arran Gains National Environmental Award

The Isle of Arran is Scotland's first Surfers Against Sewage accredited ‘Plastic Free Community’ as it takes action on single-use plastic.

The Isle of Arran has become Scotland's first community to join a network of communities across the UK that are leading the way on tackling throw away plastic. In recognition of the islands work to start reducing the impact of single-use plastic on the environment, the island has been awarded Plastic Free Community status by the national marine conservation charity, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS).

Volunteer days at the Arran Community Land Initiative

Volunteer Days

How about a few hours in the fresh air, in good company, helping to undertake useful tasks for this community enterprise?

The next Volunteer Day is Saturday February 9th from 10am – 3pm or just come along for as long as you can….

The main tasks will be maintenance and cleaning of the two polytunnels; also initial preparation of growing sites for the new season.

If you’ve not been before there’s lots to see and some excellent walks with panoramic views across Whiting Bay. 

An Open Connected Country

Here MSP for Cunninghame North, Kenneth Gibson discusses how important it is to maintain our cross-cultural and creative links with Europe, at a time when our political and economic connections are subsiding.  

Corrie Film Club Day in the Dark Film Festival 2019

On Saturday 2nd February, Corrie Film Club hosts its free mini film festival Day in the Dark.

10.00 Scottish Shorts and coffee

10.45 A Matter of Life and Death

12.30 - 1.00 Lunch

1.00 - 2.50 Lenny

2.50 - 4.30 The Odd Couple

4.30 Tea and cake

4.45 - 6.30 The Graduate

6.30 - 7.30 Supper

7.30 - Ryan's Daughter

This year, as always, there will be a chance to see a variety of films between ten in the morning and ten at night as well as the chance to socialise over lunch and supper provided by members.
Everyone is welcome and please feel free to dip in and out at any time to any film.

Music Arran concert in February – The Magnard Ensemble

The Magnard Ensemble will be performing on Saturday 16th February in Brodick Hall, at 7.30pm, and will be playing works by Ligetti, MacMillan, Bach, Orban, Mozart.

"A hugely gifted ensemble of the younger generation, the chemistry between the five players is magical, the maturity and sensitivity of their playing is a delight!'"  Paul Patterson - composer

The MAGNARD ENSEMBLE, are a group of musicians and friends who come together to make, perform and share wonderful music with our audiences. They say, "At our core, we are a wind quintet, and our work varies from formal recital and concert appearances to education and community work with children of all ages, and everything in between!"

Marine News

From John Kinsman

Royal Navy nuclear submarine in near miss with ferry

A nuclear powered royal navy submarine had a near miss with a ferry in the Irish sea it has emerged. The MOD would not confirm which of its ten submarines was involved. All of its submarines are nuclear powered but only four carry trident nuclear missiles. An investigation has been launched into the incident which occurred at the end of last year. The ferry was the Stena Superfast VII which operates between Northern Island and Scotland. The vessel with a capacity for 1,300 passengers and 600 cars sails between Belfast and Cairnryan.

Poem for February

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

Book Review – It Disappears in Blue and Red and Gold

Helen Nisbet is a curator and artistic director born and raised on the island of Yell in the far north of Shetland. She is now based in London, and It Disappears In Blue And Red And Gold is her first book. It appears in a series entitled Dialecty; a project which according to its publisher is about how "dialect words, syntax and language question traditional orthodoxies of critical writing”. Such verbiage may be the standard brogue of the arts publishing scene — Dialecty is ‘conceived’ by Belfast-born experimental writer and arts critic Maria Fusco — but general readers should not let it put them off. Otherwise they will miss out on experiencing an intriguing, profound and memorable little book.