Issue 103

October 2019

Hello, and welcome to the October edition of the Voice for Arran.

“The government needs the guts to make these changes”, was the prevailing message that came out of the Big Climate Conversation event in Brodick last month, and remains the standout point for me last month. It speaks to and for the many people who have come together across several issues affecting the island just now. With parts of the Arran community contesting the Scottish Salmon Company’s fish farm proposals, Arran is a hive of environmental and political activity. Reflecting the growing determination of people across the globe this last month, which has seen another series of strikes and summits, here in Arran demonstrations for the climate and against the fish farm have become part of our social and natural landscape too. The image of the protest at north Sannox in the middle of September, showing islanders linked together to represent the size of just one of the proposed salmon pens, is not just visually stunning but represents the energy and feeling with which people are invested in this matter and demands councillors and ministers to take note.

The last few weeks has seen a lot of hostility over the proposed fish farm, with the Letters page of The Banner filled with back and forth arguments, and a two page advert sent in to the paper by the Scottish Salmon Company to put their case for a fish farm over as fact. Surely it is now time for the Scottish government to put a line under this, look to the long term, and wonder if their aim to double the production of salmon farming by 2030 is really feasible. How can an industry, that is unsustainable at its core, sit in line with the government’s recent commitment (passed into law last week) to cut carbon emissions by 75% by 2030? So to quote the above Climate Conversation participant, can the government find the guts now to make the changes the world, and our island, needs? People are crying out for positive action and some concrete plans that shift us from talking about a ‘climate emergency’ to actually dealing with one.

As well as these pressing issues, in this edition of the Voice we also take a look at some of the other things that have been happening on the island and also share some of the exciting things to come. There has been a productive Arran Ferry Action Group meeting with Cal Mac, a magical concert at Alice’s Wonderland, and a Harvest Open Day at the Arran Community Land Initiative.

Things to look forward to in October are the now (nearly world!) renowned Corrie Food Festival on 19th and a very special visit to the island by Scottish author James Robertson on 23rd organised by The Saltire Society. And of course at the very end of month is that witchy time of year, a treat for those of us who love carving a candlelit pumpkin for a chilly Halloween night! We hope you enjoy this issue of the Voice and have a great month.

The Big Climate Conversation

On Thursday 19th September Eco Savvy held a Big Climate Conversation in Brodick.

This event was held on behalf of the Scottish Government in order to hear peoples’ climate change opinions and included a discussion about ways the local community can reduce the emissions that cause climate change, and prepare for a changing climate. The event is part of a series of Climate Conversations initiated by the Scottish Government and are taking place all over the country. Feedback from the conversations is reported back to the Climate Change policy team at the Scottish Government so this could be a very direct and powerful way to get Arran folks’ environmental opinions and ideas heard and, we hope, may actually inform future policy.

Food miles and the carbon footprint of food production

FOOD MILES, CARBON FOOTPRINTS OF FOOD PRODUCTION AND OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN CLIMATE CHANGE

Food milesCarbon footprints and food milesWendell BerryEating is an agricultural act”A simple idea:
  • Cheese: 80% UK and 20% EU.
  • Beef: 80% UK and 20% EU.
  • Tomatoes: 45% UK and 55% EU.
  • Broccoli: 45% UK and 55% EU.
How much food does the UK currently produce?Historically how much food has the UK produced?Fruit and vegetablesBut what about waste food?WRAPUK households dispose of 8.3 million tonnes of food and drink waste every year, most of which could have been consumed without health risk.Sally Campbell,

Author James Robertson to visit Arran

The Saltire Society is delighted that our next guest speaker will be James Robertson, one of Scotland’s best-loved writers. He is the author of five novels, The Professor of Truth, And the Land Lay Still, The Testament of Gideon Mack, Joseph Knight and The Fanatic. The Testament of Gideon Mack was longlisted for the 2006 Man Booker Prize and selected for Richard and Judy's Book Club the following year. Joseph Knight was the Saltire Scottish Book of the Year in 2003 and And the Land Lay Still received the same prize in 2010.

The 30th September milestone for Millstone point

The deadline for objections, or support, to the Scottish Salmon Company fish farm to be located at Millstone point was end of business on Monday 30th September. The past week or ten days has produced interesting aspects from both the objectors and the Scottish Salmon Company, who have used questionable tactics.

Much support for the campaign to protect Arran's marine environment over a long duration, has resulted with a very large number expressing their objection to the proposed farm, covering many reasons. On Sunday 15th September a last minute call for support and demonstration was arranged at Millstone Point, adjacent to the proposed site of the fish farm. This involved a 3-mile walk from the north Sannox picnic area. The two images below were taken by James Appleton who attended the protest.

Paul Tinto to star in a new production of The Panopticon

By Jenni Fagan

The Panopticon - A National Theatre of Scotland Production 

Written by Jenni Fagan, directed by Debbie Hannan

The Panopticon is at Easterhouse Platform, Glasgow, 4th October, and then at The Traverse, Edinburgh, 11th – 19th October.

Paul Tinto, who was born in Arran and grew up in Lamlash, told the Voice about his new play, The Panopticon, a stage adaptation of the novel (of the same name) by Jenni Fagan.

A National Theatre of Scotland Production - Written by Jenni Fagan, directed by Debbie Hannan

The Panopticon is at Easterhouse Platform, Glasgow, for one night on 4th October, and then at The Traverse, Edinburgh, from 11th – 19th October.For more information and to book tickets see the National Theatre website.A special thanks to Paul for taking the time to write about his new play for the Voice, and to The National Theatre of Scotland for the images. All rehearsal photo credits to Jassy Earl.

Scotland and Canada Launch Creative Talent Funding

Kenneth Gibson MSP for Cunninghame North, writes here about a new fund to support creative partnerships between Scotland and Canada.

TV and film producers across Scotland are being encouraged to apply for a new fund.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has teamed up with the Canada Media Fund (CMF) to offer £200,000 of funding in a new initiative called the ‘Canada – Scotland Co-development Incentive’.

Business and individuals could be awarded up to £25,000 in order to create new digital media and television ideas, while working in partnership with Canadian production companies.

Corrie Food Festival 2019

...Announcing the next Corrie Food Festival on SATURDAY 19TH OCTOBER in Corrie Village Hall.

Profits will go towards the legal costs incurred by Lizanne Zeitsman’s visa refusal and to charities which help those in similar situations without the support network which Arran provides.

The festival starts at 12pm and goes on until 5pm, and you'll be treated to food from the likes of Arran Supper Club, Ferghan Mhor Vegan B&B and Mara Fish Bar & Deli to name a few. Plus Arran Gin will have a stall and there will be a bar selling beer, wine and soft drinks. Entry is free and you'll get a chance to enter the raffle.

The Mandolinquents concert

Music Arran presents The Mandolinquents

Saturday 19th October in Brodick Hall at 7.30 pm

Britain's first modern mandolin quartet are coming to Arran and will be playing everything from Chopin, Vivaldi, Grieg, to traditional Irish airs and Brazilian folk tunes.

Tickets £10 from Arran Events, in advance from Inspirations of Arran in Brodick or on the door. Free to under 18s.

band biosBBC Radio 2BBC Radio 3The Irish TimesMusician MagazineSing Out!

A review of the concert ‘Music in the time of Anne Frank’

Deborah Nemko, professor of piano at Bridgewater university in Boston, recently gave a house concert at Alice’s Wonderland BnB in Lamlash entitled “Music in the Time of Anne Frank”, sponsored by The Scottish Council of Jewish Communities. Written by Alice Maxwell.

Deborah was born in 1965 in Chicago, and had piano lessons from an early age. Some of her least favourite memories were being asked to perform at family gatherings. She largely focuses on twentieth century music and has a passion for collecting mushrooms.

Trees with Altitude

“Trees don’t grow at altitudes of over 500 metres.”

Trees for Lifewww.treesforlife.org.ukPublished in Think Like A Mountain: Inspiring stories from the rewilding world. Issue 08 September 2019.Dundreggan is Trees for Life's flagship rewilding site, and a biodiversity hotspot with a growing reputation as a 'lost world' due to the many rare species discovered there. More than 3,300 species have been discovered at the forest restoration site – including 11 species never recorded before in the UK.Featured image shows eared willow montane woodland.

Woodland Burials – an option for Arran?

Recently on the Arran Community Forum webpages there has been mention of woodland burials as an option for the island, so here is some information from an organisation in Wales, The Eternal Forest Trust, who provide funeral, burial and dedication services in a peaceful woodland setting.

From the Eternal Forest Trust website

"Woodland burial means becoming literally part of the wood. In death, the body is transformed into new forms of life. The physical remains of the dead are gradually absorbed by microscopic life-forms in the soil; these pass the nutrients to fungi, which in turn feed the roots of the trees. Cremation is not environmentally friendly; it turns the proteins in the body into oxides of carbon and nitrogen, which go into the atmosphere to add to the problem of greenhouse gases. Natural woodland burial is part of the solution to our current eco-crisis. We seek to enhance biodiversity, celebrating the beauty and variety of Nature.

Preventing Suicide

Local MSP Kenneth Gibson writes here about a new panel that the Scottish government has set up to help people affected by suicide. 

On World Suicide Prevention Day, 10 September 2019, the SNP Government announced a new panel to inform and educate on ways to prevent suicide.

The Lived Experiences Panel will be made up of those who have previously attempted to take their own life or who have experienced suicidal thoughts and those who have lost a loved one to suicide.

New dates released for free cancer course in Ayrshire

This year, leading cancer charity Penny Brohn UK hosted free support courses for people living with cancer and their close supporter at Dumfries House near Cumnock in Ayrshire. Following positive feedback and record number of attendees the charity has released new dates for a fourth course at the recently opened Health and Wellbeing Centre at Dumfries House.

Penny Brohn UK’s two-day Living Well will take place on Monday 28 October and Monday 4 November from 10am to 5.30pm. Places are limited and first come, first served.

Arran Ferry Action Group meeting with Cal Mac

Summary of Committee Meeting with CalMac at the Auchrannie Resort, Brodick Tuesday 10th September 2019

Present:ApologiesIntroductionArran Ferry Action Group1. Reliability & Resilience2. Brodick Connectivity3. Ardrossan Ferry Terminal4. Concession Ticketing & Capacity5. Vessels for the Future6. Lochranza/Claonaig7. Brodick Terminal HandrailConclusionFeatured image shows from left to right: Robert Cumming, Sam Bourne, John Ford, Stuart Wilson, Robbie Drummond, Sally Campbell

Marine News

Nessie Believers

Nessie believers will need more than an expert study to be persuaded the monster is not real. The legendary beast has split opinion for decades and will for decades more. But what is not up for debate is the fact she attracts visitors to the Highlands from across the globe. The result of Professor Gemmell’s scientific tests has made him a sceptic. The acaemidic from New Zealand said, “We can’t find any evidence of the creature remotely related to a dinosaur or reptile in our data. I am sorry. I don’t think the Plesiosaur idea holds up based on the data”.
But for every doubter there are those who cling to monsters existence and point to the numerous sightings.
They include Gary Campbell, keeper of the Loch Ness Monster Sighting Register, who said “I still believe the monster exists. The issue is just what she is, so then I don’t think this research moves us forward at all. Their research has not added anything at all from a scientific perspective.”

Poem for October

Eternity

He who binds to himself a joy
Does the wing`ed life destroy;
But he who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in eternity's sun rise.

By William Blake (1757 - 1827)

'Blake believed that a bigger force than himself worked through him. He held the pen, the graver or the brush. He was its agent, never its master, the possessed rather than the possessor. ' Selected by Isla Blair.