Issue 73

From Patricia Gibson MP, North Ayrshire & Arran

The week before last, events unfolded which we all knew in theory were possible but which no-one anticipated. The reality of a terror attack occurring is something for which no ordinary member of the public is prepared. However, that is not the case for our police and security services who worked with efficiency, professionalism and enormous courage to do all they could to protect everyone on the sprawling Parliamentary estate - MPs, staff and visitors - whilst dealing with the dawning reality of the unfolding carnage on Westminster Bridge a few yards away.

I was with many other MPs in lockdown inside the chamber itself. Whilst there was a great sense of alarm and dread inside the buildings, no one in lockdown was ever in any real danger. The police worked hard to make sure of that. Indeed, one brave and dedicated police officer, PC Keith Palmer, put himself between the attacker and the entrance to the parliamentary estate, an act of selfless bravery which cost him his life. All of us who believe in democracy and the rule of law owe him a debt of gratitude. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family who must be utterly grief-stricken and bereft at this awful time. PC Palmer showed true heroism in the line of duty. He lived a life dedicated to public service having been a member of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command for fifteen years and a soldier in the Royal Artillery before that.

As we were released from lockdown once it was deemed safe to leave the Commons, we bade goodnight to the police, still on duty, as they would be during the night. We each and every one of us thanked them. Somehow it seemed so inadequate for all they had done for us on that awful day and would continue to do, day in, day out, regardless of the danger they might face, taking it all in their stride with cool professionalism.

Five people died, including the perpetrator and I am sure all our condolences are with the families of the innocent and their loved ones. With 40 people injured, some severely, the emergency services swung into action with a diligence and commitment that is truly humbling.

The injured come from ten different countries across the globe showing that the consequences of such attacks really do reverberate beyond their specific geographical locations and require all nations across the world to work together to defeat such barbaric acts of terror. The injured include three police officers who were returning from an event to recognise their bravery. Two of these officers remain in a serious condition.

The police are now investigating this appalling attack. Hundreds of police and security officers are working to establish everything possible about this outrage, including its preparation, its motivation and whether any associates were involved in its planning. The perpetrator’s death makes the police investigation more difficult. However they believe that this attack was inspired by the perpetrator’s conversion to radical Islam whilst serving time in prison for violent offences.

In the light of this attack there will be a fresh examination of de-radicalisation programmes designed to stop people being drawn into extremism.

Last week’s events are a stark reminder that all nations which believe in democracy, liberty and free speech must not take these freedoms for granted. The international community is standing together and has condemned these attacks, which are acts of pure evil but which also show the best of us as we come together to stand defiantly in defence of democracy.

The date of the April film has had to be changed to Sunday 23rd April. The film is Dheepan (2015, France, directed by Jacques Audiard, 115 mins, Cert 15).

Dheepan is a Tamil freedom fighter who decides to flee the warfare. Arriving in Paris, the family moves from one temporary home to another as he works to build a new life. Winner of the coveted Palm d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, "Dheepan offers a timely, powerful look at the modern immigrant experience in Europe."

Everyone is welcome to the Club’s films. Join us at 8pm on the 23rd in Corrie and Sannox Village Hall.

Nescio, a group of twelve talented young string players from the Netherlands, are visiting Arran on the weekend of 22nd and 23rd April. Their intriguing name (“I don’t know” in Latin) comes from the pen name of Jan Grönloh, a well-known Dutch author whose stories are based around a group of young artistic friends (like the band itself). They are giving a concert under the auspices of the Isle of Arran Music Society (not yet renamed!) in the Community Theatre at Arran High School on the Saturday, 22nd, beginning at 7:30. Tickets are available on the door on the night, in advance from Inspirations of Arran in Brodick, or online from www.arranevents.com.

Their line-up consists of six violinists, three on viola, two on cello, and a double bassist, and their programme for the night promises to be varied, as their repertoire consists of “flabbergasting music” by Mozart, Bartok, Enescu “and many others”.

On the Sunday, the Ensemble will be appearing at the PHT in Lamlash, which should guarantee them an even wider audience. In the morning they will be there at the PHT to hopefully work with young Arran string players, and in the afternoon, from 4:00 to 6:00, there will be a Celebration of Young Musicians in the same venue, when Nescio’s players take the stage to encourage young musicians to take part and to showcase young talent on strings.

Great news about the positive impact of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), now from California. Unsurprisingly, the MPAs that have been established for longer, are doing best "Biomass of targeted fish species has increased in kelp and shallow rock ecosystems inside and outside of the northern Channel Islands MPAs (established in 2003)". Our government needs to make sure Scottish MPAs have a proper baseline monitoring programme in place to establish, as they have in California.

Invented a century ago, rotating columns fixed to ship’s deck interact with wind to provide forward thrust and could make a 10% fuel saving.

Poacher’s Pilgrimage: An Island Journey
by Alastair McIntosh

The title and cover belie a book of depth, breadth, scholarship and wisdom. Those of you who know Alastair McIntosh may already have some idea of what to expect from the author of Soil and Soul, which included a hilarious and breath-taking account of the liberation of Eigg from centuries of near feudal ownership, whilst arguing for a depth of connection between land and people going far beyond nationalism into realms spiritual.

Poacher’s Pilgrimage is his account of a walk undertaken in 2009 from Rodel on South Harris to the far North, Butt of Lewis. Lewis is the island where he grew up, the child of an incoming professional family. He grew up there, but is not quite of there, nor does he claim to speak Gaelic; this doesn’t deter him from many a knowledgeable discussion of Gaelic names. He was drawn back in his middle years to reconnect above all with the land, mountains and moor, rivers and lochs, fairy mounds and holy wells. It was a pilgrimage indeed, containing moments and experiences of spiritual wonder, revelations of the mythos underlying our everyday reality. In the process he also comes to a deep appreciation of the people of the islands and a way of life still relatively untouched by the plastic world.

The author’s spiritual curiosity shines through, allied to depth of scholarship in theological matters from Calvinist Christianity to ancient Celtic forms, from Quakerism to Hindu scriptures. He doesn’t hide his doctrinal disagreements with orthodox Calvinism and island Presbyterian practices, but maintains a respect for sincere goodness, in which he finds links to far older, healing ways.

Selected by David Underdown who also writes the commentary.

Dean Gallery, Edinburgh until May 21st

By John Inglis

In an article in the Guardian, Charles Eisenstein makes some important points about a different way to farm. Regenerative agriculture comprises an array of techniques that rebuild soil and, in the process, sequester carbon. Typically, it uses cover crops and perennials so that bare soil is never exposed, and grazes animals in ways that mimic animals in nature. It also offers ecological benefits far beyond carbon storage: it stops soil erosion, remineralises soil, protects the purity of groundwater and reduces damaging pesticide and fertiliser runoff.

From John Kinsman at Coastwatch St Monans

The Shipwrecked Mariners Society is calling on members of the maritime community, and rescue organisations, to nominate colleagues and associates who have demonstrated outstanding skill and gallantry in rescuing those in peril at sea.

The society, which has provided financial support to merchant seafarers, fishermen, and their dependants, since 1839, will hold its 166th skill and gallantry awards ceremony in October.

The awards seek to recognise those who have shown exceptional courage in the face of adversity.

Last year saw the society president Admiral Sir George Zambellas present awards to Rescue 193 of 771 Naval Air Squadron at HMS Culdrose. Malcolm Williams, Chief Executive of the society said “The Society‘s annual skill and gallantry awards are the highlight of our events calendar. Every year we see men and women who have shown outstanding skill and bravery recognised, and I am sure this year will be no different. The awards raise awareness of the professionalism and selflessness seafarers and rescue crews demonstrate in keeping others, whether they be seafarers or members of the public, safe from dangers of the sea. Ultimately I hope these awards go some way towards acknowledging their tremendous efforts”.

Within the past year the society has provided financial support in over 2,000 cases of need, received over 500 new applications for assistance and distributed grants worth over £1.4 million.

Nominations for this year‘s awards can be submitted to general@shipwreckedmariners.org.uk. The closing date is 12 noon Friday May 5th.

From WH Auden’s poem September 1, 1939, written when ignorance and hatred threatened the world: