Issue 99

Scotland: A Peace of History exhibition comes to Arran

The Scotland: a Peace of History exhibition, which commemorates 80 years of anti-nuclear campaigning in Scotland and 60 years since the formation of Scottish CND, moves from the Glasgow City Chambers to Arran on June 6th. It will be on display first at Arran High School, on Thursday 6th and Friday 7th June, and then open to the public in the Arran Active gallery in Brodick on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th June from 10am – 3pm. 

As previously described in the Voice in January 2019, the exhibition centres around a pictorial time-line showing how nuclear weapons have not only developed technologically, enhancing their targeting capabilities and destructive power, but also how possession of nuclear weapons progressed into a symbol of strength and status, coveted by powerful nations. It offers an historical perspective of how nations have negotiated treaties to try to manage the threats the weapons pose, as well as the movements which developed in opposition to them.

A gathering to commemorate ArCas’ 30th anniversary

There was a short but meaningful gathering at Pirnmill on 16th May to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ArCas and in particular the contribution which founder, the late Frances Harwood, made in setting up the organisation. Douglas Johnston from ArCaS gratefully received a beautiful, hand crafted mahogany and wrought iron bench presented to the charity by John Baraclough of Brodick.

The bench is dedicated to Frances Harwood who started ArCaS thirty years ago. There is an inscription on the bench which reads:
''IN MEMORY OF FRANCES HARWOOD, A LADY OF PIRNMILL WHO FOUNDED
ARRAN CANCER SUPPORT TRUST (ArCaS) IN 1989 HELPING MANY ARRAN CANCER PATIENTS.''

The sanctity of growth is blocking our future

Richard Lane from Extinction Rebellion Glasgow says that if the economic bottom line continues to be growth, climate action will not get close to tackling the extent of the ecological crisis we face.

There can’t be anyone now who doesn’t appreciate that we’re living in a period of ecological emergency. Extinction Rebellion and the Youth Strike for Climate movement have successfully shifted the political consensus from a sort of non-committal lip-service to the point where denying the crisis puts you beyond the pale.

Saving the lives of mothers and babies

In this article North Ayrshire and Arran MP Patricia Gibson, reports on a debate she led at Westminster on an issue very close to her, concerning the dangerous condition in pregnancy known as pre-eclampsia.

Every year, around 40,000 women globally die from complications in pregnancy because of a devastating condition called pre-eclampsia, a condition characterized by high blood pressure.

In Scotland, thankfully, mortality for women with pre-eclampsia is low. Tragically, it still takes the lives of around 100 babies each year who would otherwise have been born healthy. Babies like my own son, Kenneth, who died two days after his due date.

20p for a Clean Planet – Scotland Leads the way with the Circular Economy

The environmental movement is racking up victories as consciousness breaks through and policy catches up. Environmental campaigners today welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement of the scope of Scotland’s deposit return system, which will be the first country in the UK to introduce such a scheme. Ministers have confirmed that glass, cans and some plastic containers will be covered. The deposit will be set at 20p for all containers, and retailers of all sizes will be paid by the system to accept returns. This may be the start of the circular economy beginning to capture the public imagination.

The Garden In May

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Action on Littering and Packaging

Kenneth Gibson, Arran's local MSP, discusses the problem of litter and sets out some of the actions being taken by the Scottish government under the National Litter Strategy. The recent announcement of the introduction of a deposit return scheme (see also the article in this issue '20 p for a clean climate'), will also reduce litter and increase the rate of recycling across the country.

The SNP Government has announced that a future Circular Economy Bill will introduce tougher action on littering from vehicles.

The Tree That Danced

An essay by Margaret Elphinstone, published in Bella Caledonia on 10th May 2019

I watched you grow through the seasons and the years. You reached your full height, but you were still slim and unscarred, your bark a faintly-striped grey-white. Bare branches bent before the winter winds, giving way with grace and never breaking. But after every storm the ground around you was strewn with spiky twigs. As winter gave way to spring, you took on a purple tinge, as your buds began to swell. Then, when there was a touch of real warmth in the sun, your leaves broke out, and suddenly, all in a day, there was green on you. The green soon covered you. Your leaves merged together in shimmering waves, reflecting the sun in ripples like the sea. You danced in the wind. I watched your colours change as clouds scudded across the sun. Sometimes you had your head in a breeze I couldn’t feel, but you moved to it in every shake and rustle of your leaves. As summer faded your leaves turned yellow. Autumn gales tore them away, strewing grass and ditches with flecks of gold. Snow came, and you stood firm, your naked branches etched black against the cold north sky.

‘Wilding’, a Review

A review of Isabella Tree's book Wilding, by Alice Maxwell

25th Arran Folk Festival 7th – 9th June 2019

Friday 7th June

Saturday 8th June

Summer snorkelling with COAST

Looking for the chance to learn to snorkel safely, build your confidence and have fun, whilst being taught by fully qualified BSAC instructors?

Investing in Arran’s Mountain Biking Success

Arran's MSP Kenneth Gibson reports on the recent further investment in mountain biking by the Scottish government. He points to how this will help expand the island's established biking trails, support more adventure tourism, and benefit the local thriving mountain biking community.

Arran is already home to an enviable network of mountain bike trails. These include beginner and family-friendly routes as well as more challenging cross-country and island-traversing courses, many owing much to the efforts of Arran Bike Club members. Investment of £185,000 to support the expansion of mountain biking in Scotland, announced last month by the SNP Government, will aid our reputation for adventure tourism and help this important and vibrant activity on Arran to flourish and develop further.

Boarding the Bus to Success

Whiting Bay Music and Drama group take award winning play to East Kilbride

Holy Isle Open Day – Sunday 2nd June

Folk Band ‘Luckenbooth’ at the PHT

Folk ‘n Talent @The PHT

UK government strips over 75s of free TV licences

Arran’s MP Patricia Gibson has hit out at the UK Government over their treatment of pensioners during a Westminster debate last Wednesday which demanded that the Tories honour their 2017 manifesto pledge to maintain free TV licences for the over-75s.

From 01 April, the colour licence fee increased to £154.50 a year.

All households with someone aged over 75 are currently entitled to receive free TV licences, funded by the UK Government to help tackle pensioner poverty and isolation. Despite their manifesto pledge, the Tories will cease this funding completely, pushing the cost onto the BBC, along with the decision on whether or not to maintain it.

The Friday Garden Party at the Arran Community Land Initiative

Head along to the Arran Community Land on a Friday, for their weekly growing get-together's! These mornings at the ACLI are running all the way through June and into July, and are a great way to get involved in this fantastic community organisation and to spend some time outside in a beautiful part of the island.

Corrie Film Club

The film showing in Corrie village hall on Sunday June 9th at 8 pm, is Summer of 1993 (Director Carla Simón. 2017. Spain. 96 min. Cert u).

In Carla Simón's touching autobiographical film, six-year-old Frida looks on in silence as the last objects from her recently deceased mother's apartment in Barcelona are placed in boxes. Although her aunt, uncle, and younger cousin Anna welcome her with open arms, it's only very slowly that Frida begins to get used to her new home in the countryside. Punctuated by moments of youthful exuberance and mature ruminations, this coming of age drama, set amongst summery hues, is an extraordinarily moving snapshot of being a child in an adult world, anchored by flawless performances by its two young stars.

Poem for June

Poetry and Rhetoric (II)

by David Constantine

When I think of persuasion, of the persuasiveness, I see
You that morning on the Circle Line
With a seat for once but squashed in knee to knee
In a thicket of people somewhere on your own
Among them standing, swaying, slumping half asleep
You reading poems through the black tunnels
And chokes of light and — was it suddenly,
Ambushed, or more like rising wells
Little by little but unstoppably? —
By the sole force of some few signs set out
For absent things in shapes in black on white
The reading clinched you in an absolute
There and then: the truth cold down your spine,
Prickle of love and terror on the nape
And you lift your face to your fellow-travellers
To witness, beyond denying it, your tears.