IN THIS ISSUEP2 Golf and a photographic presentation.P3 Camera Club & Those were the days.P4 Oban Hospital redesign, Kintyre magazine.P5 Community Care & Crime Prevention.P6 Poem and Carradale beach clean.P7 Machrihanish buy-out and resurrection.P8 Tosh’s Park road repair group go it alone.P9 Kildonan Killer and EKCC minutesP10 Carradale Survey, Rain, Hawthorns, RNLI.P11 Harbour meeting and election information.P12 Job loss, redundancy & Seniors Forum.

ISSUE 223 JUNE 2011 ISSUE 223 JUNE 2011 ISSUE 223 JUNE 2011

CARRADALEGOLF CLUB

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PUBLIC MEETINGFRIDAY 20th MAY

Discussions have now reached the stagewhere it is important that the village is madeaware of the present situation regardingnegotiations with various authorities aboutpotential improvements to the harbour area,the future possibilities and the necessity fora committee/board of directors to beelected. The present committee aretherefore holding a public meeting/discussion in the Village Hall at 7.30pmtomorrow

Allan Walker, ChairpersonLight refreshments providedLength 1 hour All Welcome

SEE ITEM ON PAGE 11

PENINVERGARDEN & TEASSunday 29th May

In aid ofPeninver Village Hall

2 - 4.30pmGarden Visit £3 Afternoon Teas £3

Mike & Leonie Rees have left for Wales whileMalcolm & Kate Trott have settled in Broomfield.

CHUGCARRADALE HARBOUR USES COMMITTEE

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CARRADALE GOLF CLUB Welcomes visitors

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For further information contact The Secretary, Margaret Richardson2 Old Schoolhouse, Carradale PA28 6QJ Tel: 01583 43178821

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CARRADALE GOLF CLUBLADIES SECTIONPLAYING AT HOME

Carradale Ladies held their annual Inter-Club Day on Sunday 17 April,with players from Machrihanish, Dunaverty, and Tarbert travelling totake part in a most enjoyable competition. As always, the match was played in an extremely friendly andsociable manner and was concluded with a meal held in the CarradaleHotel. The winners were Ann Gallagher (Machrihanish) and MargaretRichardson (Carradale) with 37 points, pictured here with CarradaleLadies Captain, Janice Hanning.

WINTER ECLECTICCarradale Ladies Section Winter Eclectic was won by MargaretRichardson, Runner-Up was Margaret Campbell. Congratulations toboth players. M.C.In days of yore men’s golf competition results were frequently featuredin the Antler; are the current male players shrinking violets or hidingtheir highlights under a rhododendron bush(el)? Ed.

OR SNAPPING OUT OF THE HABIT?

It was with more than a touch of sadness, on the 11 April, that CarradaleCamera Club held an evening to bade a fond farewell to ElizabethVischer who with her husband, the Rev John Vischer and their family,are moving to Haddington in East Lothian, where he is to take up hisnew charge as minister to Haddington West Church. An enthusiastic and imaginative photographer, Elizabeth workedclosely with Carradale Primary School, encouraging the children toactively take their own photographs and helping both them and cameraclub members to look at composition more creatively. Her departurewill leave a large void, not only because of her skill as a photographer,but also because she was a very popular and respected member of theClub. The farewell ‘do’ was held in the Network Centre where the Clubmeets every second Monday. The Club would like to thank Mrs JosieMacKinnon for providing a very tasty supper. The photograph shows Elizabeth being presented with a voucherfrom the Club Chairperson, Rachel Grant. M.R.

OR CHESS(T) A SIDEWAYS MOVEThe Vischers move to Haddington West was not quite as spectacular astheir move from Herisau but just as diverting for those who play chess.

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THOSE WERE THE DAYSTHE FIRST WINTER IN TORONTO: ICE AND SNOW

My mother, brother and sisters arrived in Toronto early the next year aftercrossing on the R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth to New York, then by train to Toronto.They arrived with some personal luggage but the trunks and boxes containinghousehold items arrived by train several days later from Greenock, through theport of Halifax.

By that time I was somewhat accustomed to the cold and snow havingpurchased knee-high felt-lined winter boots. The snow started around the middleof November and was piled about three feet high along the curbs when thefamily arrived. Although we experienced some snow in Torrisdale it quicklymelted and seemed more granular than the flaky snow here. When it comes itusually stays until spring with some occasional thawing but not enough to meltit entirely.

Sometimes getting to the sidewalk requires crossing snow banks which canbe treacherous without winter boots that have ribbed soles. The low shoes withsmooth soles the family wore proved to be quite a challenge and with snowmelting inside became very uncomfortable.

Home owners, tenants and business owners, etc. with properties frontingon sidewalks are responsible for keeping them free of ice and snow. Employeesof towns and municipalities plow and salt the streets and roads while theProvince contracts the work on highways. The salt used is mined at WindsorOntario and is very corrosive. When used on sidewalks it can etch the cementsurface and also garage floors when brought in on car wheels and in wheelwells. Motor vehicles of all types experience extensive rusting particularlyaround wheel wells and rocker panels if not protected with an undercoating ofoil or asphalt based materials. However today’s vehicles are built withgalvanized floor and rocker panels along with plastic wheel well inserts in aneffort to prevent premature rusting. Several times when going south for thewinter, our van on arrival changed colour from blue to white due to salt spray.

My uncle’s house was now very crowded with sleeping and eating spaceat a premium. Two weeks before the family arrived my aunt and I moved thefurniture around to accommodate beds and mattresses we purchased.Fortunately I was working at night and slept during the day except for my nightoff work each week when I slept on the floor in a bedroom with one cousin andmy brother who both slept in beds. There was some confusion for a while asthe family experienced the same challenges as I faced earlier on.

Purchasing winter wear, getting used to winter conditions, enrolling inschools, looking for work , riding street cars to get around mother became veryill and was confined to bed for some time. I think she was exhausted from themove. Discovering the shops with all the produce was an exciting time for mysisters, particularly seeing all the bananas which due to the war some neversaw before.

My brother and two sisters soon started school and my two other sistersstarted to work in the offices of Canadian General Electric. After mother fullyrecovered she also started to work in the home of a family who owned a shopnot far from where we lived. Later on we purchased our first home; mother tookon a second job-cleaning the offices of the Philco Electric Co. during evenings.We all pooled our money and during the first late summer we were able to buyour first house with a down payment and taking on two mortgages. It was quitea struggle for a while as paying down the second mortgage was our first prioritydue to the high interest rate.

Then, there was furniture to buy and everything required to set up houseexcept bedding, a sewing machine and some dishes and personal items whichcame from Torrisdale.

It now became my responsibility to look after the house which included thefurnace, purchasing coal, cutting grass, shovelling snow, etc.

John MacMillan.

Carradale Camera Club recently held its annual Print of theYear Competition. Members can enter up to 4 prints in colour,monochrome or infra red. This year’s winner of the Print of the Year trophy, TheDuncan Ritchie Memorial Quaich, is David Byford. Unfortunately David was unable to attend, and thephotograph below shows Christine Ritchie, Duncan’s daughter,second from the right, holding the winning print. The winning monochrome print was taken by Rachel Grantwho wins the Wallis Hunter Quaich, whilst the Runner-Up wasSteve Partridge winning the Carra Cup. The judge for the competition, was local Art teacher andkeen amateur photographer, Ms Meri Wrightson. She was mostimpressed with the standard of photographs, and herconstructive criticisms were much appreciated by clubmembers. Many congratulations to our winners. For those who enjoy looking at the Club’s photographs,the Annual Exhibition will be held in the Village Hall (12/13/14August), with this year, photographs from some of CarradalePrimary School children. Photos by J.D.

Judge Meri Wrightson holding David Byford’s winning print.

CARRADALE CAMERA CLUB

LORN & THE ISLANDSHOSPITAL REDESIGN

This is the 5th Newsletter detailing theprogress that is being made on the redesignof inpatient services in Lorn & Islands Hospital.In this issue we outline further decisions whichhave been made around the reconfiguration ofwards in the hospital and detail some of theaction which is supporting this redesign. The decision to merge Cruachan Ward andWard C resulted in the need to compile anappropriate staffing establishment for the newward, then to manage the process oforganisational change which would bring theward into being. Regrettably the consequence of this wasthe need to formally displace staff throughoutthe two wards then to go through the processof matching and appointing staff to jobs withinthe new ward.

No one underestimates the degree ofconcern or anxiety that this uncomfortableprocess has resulted in for staff in the twowards.

Significant progress has now been madein the matching process and managers, staffrepresentatives and representatives of HumanResources are working extremely hard tocomplete this part of the redesign and we aregrateful to everyone concerned for theirpatience while the process is completed.

At a recent meeting of the Task Group anumber of options were considered for thename of the new ward. In the end the groupdecided that the ward should be called Ward Iso it is by this name that the ward will be knownonce the merger has taken place.

The original intention was to reduce theward complement from four to three in theSpring and we are on track to achieve thismajor outcome of the process. In effectbecause of the Health EnvironmentInspectorate upgrading work that wasundertaken in Wards A, B and C the hospitalhas already reduced its ward complement butwork to prepare for the formal merging of Ward

C with Cruachan Ward will undoubtedly takethe majority of April. For this reason we havenot set a deadline for the merging of wards butwe will confirm this date as soon as we are ina position to do so.

The developments currently beingmanaged within the hospital have recentlybeen discussed both at the Locality PublicPartnership Forum and at the local AreaCommunity Planning Group. Both of thesegroups were enthusiastic about the potentialbenefits and it is good to know that the localcommunity supports the redesign in this way.

As ever I appreciate the continuingpatience of those for whom this is a time ofuncertainty and I am grateful to everyone fortheir dedication in all matters regarding thehospital’s redesign.

David Whiteoak,Locality Manager, 18 April 2011

Beyond the decision to merge the two wardsan enormous amount of work has been goingon to underpin the hospital redesign and toimprove both the effectiveness and efficiencywith which we provide services to patients.Many staff have been involved already incompiling or reviewing patient pathways withinDepartments and within specific clinicalsettings. All of this work will ensure aconsistency in the quality of care and treatmentprovided to patients in future.

Work has been going on for some time toincrease the proportion of surgical patientstreated as day cases. This represents achallenge to those traveling from somedistance or from the islands but there is clearopportunity to address this issue for a greaternumber of patients from in and around Oban.

We need to increase the proportion ofpatients undergoing pre-assessment prior toadmission for surgery and progress is beingmade in particular in ensuring patients fromLochgilphead and Campbeltown areundergoing this procedure.

The introduction of the Board Roundconcept on Ward B in January has been verysuccessful. The Board Round in Ward A wasestablished early in April and a similar processwill be instigated in Ward I when it opens.

Editor’s note: The picture at the head ofcolumn 1 was copied from the Lorn and IslandsHospital web-site. It shows how the constantlychanging philosophy of National Healthhospital care has an unsettling effect uponphysical foundations; either that or thephotographer has been enjoying thegenerosity of NHS hospitality.

THE KINTYRE MAGAZINEThe Spring issue contains some fascinatingarticles on a wide range of subjects. Daryl Martin contributes a lengthy study on‘The Arrival of DNA Genealogy’ and MadeleineSlater follows with an inquiry into ‘The Hills ofSkipness’ - not as one might suppose aboutthe landscape of Skipness but a study of aRenfrew family which came to live in Skipnessin the late 17th century. Clare Grant (neeMcNeil) is also on the ancestral trail trying totrace her father’s family into the 1800s. Apartfrom contributing another interesting ‘By Hilland Shore’ Angus Martin recounts hisattendance at a Council for ScottishArchaeology's Summer School in Kintyre in2009 entitled ‘Cnocan a’ Chluig’, and PerKvaerne traces the visit to Kintyre in 1877 ofthe Norwegian painter Hans Gude (1825-1903). The Raven on the cover of the magazineinitiates a report on page 15 from TheArgyllshire Herald of the 19th of April 1913suggesting that Ravens are traditionallyassociated with the Campbell deaths anddisasters, while James MacDonald and NeilBrown continue the avian theme with extendedstudies of barn owls and ravens. Finally Moira Burgess adds to herrenowned interest in Naomi Mitchison byrecounting the literary collaboration betweenthe Carradale grande dame and DenisMacintosh (1899-1980). There are alsoreviews of recent publications on pages 32-34,and a meeting with otters on the inside cover.The Magazine is available from localbookshops. Ed.

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KINTYRE FORUMON COMMUNITY CARE

MINUTES OF AGM MEETING 28TH APRIL2010 IN COMMUNITY EDUCATION

CENTRE, CAMPBELTOWNPRESENT: Elaine Hemmings, AndrewWilliamson, Susan Paterson, Eva Macdonald,Jackie Berryman, Tina Jordan, David Wright,Linda Mcfadyen, Peter Harper, Val Cannell,APOLOGIES: Maryanne Stewart, Jean Bell,Alison Hunter, Alex Johnson, Lindsay Fox-Denham, Alison McCrosson, Stephen Duffy,Sandy McKendrick, John Dreghorn.SPEAKERS: David Wright and Tina Jordangave a presentation of their work withACUMEN and its part in Mental Healthredesign in the last few years.MINUTES: The minutes of the previous AGMon the 29th April 2009 were approved bySusan Paterson and seconded by EvaMacdonald.

MATTERS ARISING: NoneSECRETARY'S REPORT: Correspondencewas read out and was available for membersCHAIRS REPORT: Mary Margaret the Chairwas not in attendance and her report was notavailable for the meeting. (Her report has sincebeen presented to the committee, this was dueto an error of the date of the AGM being sentout with the previous minutes.).TREASURER'S REPORT: Treasurers reportfor the meeting was not available, this has nowbeen sent out with the mailing shot.FUTURE PLANNING: The forum members atthe meeting were asked their views on futureplanning; this was in consideration of the poorattendance today in is what is seen as animportant meeting, the AGM. It was asked ifthe forum was of any value. Andrew felt Susanhadn't had the support of the committee andthe Forum should be giving Susan moresupport for her work. One member felt that theforum was important to pass on information butat the moment it was depressing at the interestin people attending the Forum. Another felt the"turn-out was abysmal" as it was an AGM. Shefelt we could cascade information and shareinformation. A Carradale resident felt someonecould come out to Carradale and shareinformation. The Link Club in Campbeltown feltit was important to share information. It wasnoted that no one from the NHS was presentat the AGM. One member was enthusiasticabout the Forum and it was "a fantastic way ofinformation gathering" and information couldbe given out to other people.

It was hoped that the meeting could be keptto one and half-hours, as this was a moreuseful use of people's time. It was requestedthat any further views to improve the use of theForum could be sent to the secretary either byemail, phone or post. It was noted that someinformation may not be of interest to otherorganisations attending the Forum and thatsome updates take too long, which is whysome members may not attend. It was hopedthat the Forum could receive any helpful ideasfrom the members to make the meetings moreuseful. There was a question of what shouldbe the future format of the speakers attending.REPORT FROM DEVELOPMENT WORKER:Susan Paterson the Development Workerreported that we had been given £2800 fromthe FAB grant, which is being used to updatethe Directory. There is still £900 of the carer'sgrant available. Susan suggested the mailinglist for the KCCF be expanded to encouragepeople to attend. A comprehensive report wasread out by Susan regarding her work this yearas consultant worker for the Forum and a copyis to be sent out to the mailing list.

ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERSMary Margaret Hanna resigned as Chairman;she was thanked for all her hard work on behalfof the Committee. Andrew Williamson waselected the new Chairman, proposed by Susanand seconded by Eva. Jackie Berryman waselected Vice Chairwoman, proposed by Susanand seconded by Eva. Elaine Hemmings wasreelected as Secretary proposed by Susan andseconded by Peter. Jean Bell was reelectedas Treasurer proposed by Susan andseconded by Peter. It was agreed thecommittee should if possible meet monthly.

AOCB: UPDATES FROM MEMBERS: Val Canell: Carradale Seniors. Reportedthat it had been helpful that the Red Cross bushas been able to continue to help the residentsof Carradale. People who don't normally go outhad been able to have a Christmas meal anda trip to Arran. Peter Harper: British Red Cross. Reportedthat the project had been successful insecuring funding. South Kintyre car schemehas been running for 5 years and the aim is toconcentrate support in South Kintyre. There isstill ongoing work for the Respite Care Bureaubeing planned by Social Services and Peterwill feed further information into the Forumwhen available. The BRC are still helping outthe Ambulance Service. Linda, Home CareOrganiser, reported that decision regarding theservice redesign of older people's servicesshould be made in September, it is unclear atthe moment what will happen

Eva Macdonald: Advocacy Service,reported that Advocacy had been going intothe local; care centres to give informationabout Advocacy to both staff and clients. Jackie Berryman, Link Club, reported thatthe club is trying to encourage members to doactivities that they wouldn't normally do e.g.horse riding. They were also helping membersto eat healthy and to budget. They were alsohelping set up a Link Club in Islay with inputfrom ACUMEN.

KINTYRE CRIMEPREVENTION PANEL

Kintyre Crime Prevention Panel recently heldits AGM within the Conference Room atCampbeltown Police Station. Chair, WilliamDurance gave the annual report in which heoutlined projects undertaken throughout theyear. Projects included the fitting of DoorViewers, which was a joint project with Argyll& Bute Care & Repair, Domestic AbuseCampaign, Bottle Marking Scheme, PosterCompetition involving Primary School childrenin Kintyre with the project having a CrimePrevention theme. Sheriff Ruth Anderson Q.C.judged this competition, and also presentedthe prizes. During the past year, the Panel hasacquired Charity Status. Overall, it has beena very busy year. Two Panel membersresigned, and three people were nominatedthen ratified, and are now serving PanelMembers. A fourth nominee is presentlyawaiting ratification The Panel expressedgratitude to PC Lindsay Wallace for her sterlingwork over recent years as Panel Secretary,and gratitude was also expressed to SpecialConstable Robert Westerman for all help andtechnical skills given to the Panel whencarrying out projects. SC Westerman waswelcomed to the Panel as Secretary for thenext year. Office Bearers elected for 2011-2012 are:Chair, William Durance, Vice Chair, EvaMacDonald MBE, Treasurer, Walter Bell.Campbeltown Police were thanked for theirsupport readily given to the Panel over theyear. Applications have now been made tovarious Agencies in order to hopefully securefunding for future projects which are now beingspoken about. E.McD.

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BLIND TO THE INTERESTS OF OTHERSA POETIC PLEA BY BOBBY POHLER

As you walk along the pavements, do you ever give a thought to the dangers in the things you see, to others who cannot. Like the hole you walked around that wasn't previously there – Do you think to phone the powers-that-be to make a quick repair? Did you ever see a street-drain with its cover off, and cry "they should do something about that"!, and then just pass on by? Would you like it to be you the poorly-sighted have to thank when they step on to the roadway and find they're doom in stank!? When you work out in your garden and admire your lilac tree, have you ever paused to ponder what a hazard that can be? Though the overhanging branches may well ornament the place, they could give a poor blind laddie a real smack across the face! So why not take your pruning shears and go into the street - remove that extra foliage and make your tree look neat! And, as the branches drop away, don't say "now that'll do"! If you've only cleared the passage for the under 5 foot 2! Are you one of these nice people who, when at their own abode, park their car upon the pavement (just to keep it off the road)? So it will not be collided with – that's what it's all about – there will be no nasty bumps or little scratches, I've no doubt! But a lass with vision may just come along the street and your car will be the obstacle that she's about to meet. She'll be forced to step out into the busy carriageway and, as like as not, there'll be a blinking lamp-post in the way! When you've got your shopping trolley and you stop to have a chat with a friend who's got a go-chair, or some other thing like that, and discuss the awful weather or the price of stewing steak – do you realise the obstacle the two of you must make? To those of us who cannot see, it would mean such a lot, if all these little things were given just a little thought. Let us walk the streets in safety; let us hold our heads erect yes, please give us back our pavements - is it too much to expect?

ITS MAKE-OVER TIMETWO REPORTS ON THE CARRADALE BAY BEACH CLEAN

At 2.30 there were only half a dozen people, a small pony and trap anda large dog and when 3 of the company said they weren't there for theclean up my heart sank. However before I could mutter “CommunitySpirit eh! " a positive hoard of volunteers arrived! By the time we wereequipped with pickers gloves and bags (provided by the GRAB Trust)our number had grown to a very respectable twenty nine people. Youngand not so young alike, wandered happily along the beach filling bagswith all sorts of litter which were picked up by jeep and trailer. Generalflotsam and jetsom filled 64 bin bags with, as expected, a highproportion of plastic. We combed the beach for 3 hours - locals, holidayhome owners and a family of holiday makers too. Thanks go to everyonewho turned out to help with a special thank you to Elizabette, Jack andCarlo who gave up an afternoon of their holiday to help clean the beach.

Shelagh Cameron, Convener of East Kintyre Community CouncilA FEW REQUESTS:-

Don't flush anything with a plastic backing down the loo.Take all your litter home with you when you go to the beach.Clean up after your dog and don't leave bags of ‘poo’ for somebodyelse to pick up.(yes dog owners - somebody IS doing that!)

Beach Cleaning - a perfectly pleasant way to spend a few hours on asunny Sunday afternoon (when you're in good company and don't needto bend or actually touch the litter!)

AND A REPORT AND WARNING BY THE CARRADALE GOATWEB-SITE WEB-MASTER JOHNNY DURNAN

The beach clean on Sunday 17th April attracted a mixture of willinghelpers,around 29 locals of all ages and holiday makers/visitors givinga bit of their time to help out also. An annual event organised by thelocal community headed by Shelagh Cameron with thanks also to GrabTrust for providing pickers,bags and gloves. Around 64 bin bags werefilled over a period of three hours and carted away by our local fire chiefRobert Strang. On a safety issue, if anyone comes across a suspicious lookingobject on any beach do not touch it, call the COASTGUARD 999, it doesnot matter if it is not an ordnance (old war relics/bombs or moderndevices) or pyrotechnics (flares/phosphor or any other odd lookingthings).

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JAMES COOK DISCOVERS KINTYREDuring the holiday period The RRS James Cook was in the Sound.Her maiden scientific voyage, on 5 March 2007, was to study a hole inthe Earth's crust revealing the mantle below. The vessel was involvedin the discovery of what is believed to be the world's deepest underseavolcanic vents, while in the Caribbean.

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Room F114, Building 351RAF Brampton Huntingdon PE28 2EA

20/04/2011Dear Sir

MACHRIHANISH MOD SITEI have been asked to write to you on behalf ofthe Kintyre Initiative Working Group (KIWG)which is a Kintyre based community groupdeeply involved in community planning, sup-ported and attended by both local electedmembers as well as members of both theScottish and Westminster parliaments. At itslast meeting held on 15th April 2011, thegroup were advised of concerns held by someparticipants that various aspects of the trans-fer of the above site to community ownershipwere not proceeding altogether smoothly. Ihave therefore been instructed to write andseek your assurance that firstly while it is in allparties interests that the transfer take place assoon as possible, that here will be no unduehaste whereby important aspects of a com-plex conveyancing transaction involving multi-ple titles, could be missed. I have also been asked to seek your as-surance that the services on the site such asthe water sewage, electricity and similar utili-ties are maintained at their current level andnot allowed to deteriorate. While we fully un-derstand that the vendor in any transaction, inthis case the MOD, will be unlikely to wish toexpend substantial resource either financial(or in kind), in maintaining a site which it isabout to dispose of; it is important that the sitebe in a usable condition on transfer. There islittle point in the community taking over re-sponsibility and ownership of a site which it issubsequently unable to maintain, when asmall amount of preventative maintenancecould avoid the issue entirely.

Councillor Rory Colville.Chairman.

IAN HAY’S REPLY TO RORY COLVILLE28/04/2011Dear Cllr Colville,Thank you for your letter of 20 April on behalfof the Kintyre Initiative Working Group. Firstly, I can assure you that MOD willcontinue to make all reasonable endeavoursto support the Community Body (CB) in theirdesire to buy the former airbase, but the factremains that MOD was expecting their secondattempt to complete on 6 April and the delay

in Scottish Minister's decision has clearlyexacerbated the situation. As a result, MODno longer has any funds to guard or maintainthe site. You will appreciate that we must haveregard to the wider taxpayer and focus ourlimited resources on other key defencepriorities elsewhere, in support of ourservicemen and women, and must thereforeseriously reconsider our support to both theCB and existing tenants (including the windturbine manufacturer and HIAL). It is obviousthat the longer it takes to complete the sale theworse this situation is likely to get. I do appreciate the complexities of thistransaction, from the CB perspective, but whilstthey are numerous they are not particularlydifficult to resolve. The CB has already hadover 12 months to undertake preliminary duediligence. However, in view of the fact thatScottish Ministers did take longer thananticipated to reach a decision, we will notpush for a purchase immediately but will allowthe CB up to 3 months from 6 April to completethe purchase on MOD's standard terms andconditions. Meanwhile we will continue toguard and maintain the site, so far as possible,but failing such agreement we will be makingour plans to disengage from the site by thatdate. Regretfully, there is therefore a risk thatany further delay on the part of the CB mayresult in MOD having to terminate and/orreduce its support contracts - with asubsequent deterioration in service andpotential redundancies. Hopefully this can beavoided through an early sale - but we havealways made it clear that MOD is not fundedto undertake any improvements, for exampleto the utility infrastructure. Meanwhile, I can confirm that the latestphase of the Land Quality Assessment hasbeen completed, with the removal of somehazardous substances, and a final report isexpected shortly. This will be given to the CB. Finally, there appears to be someconfusion within the CB over the level ofmaterial which is included in the sale. All fixtures/fittings and equipment etc.would normally be included but the list ofmoveable objects, such as furniture etc., hasnever been agreed. We have therefore giventhe Military until the end of May to remove anyfurniture that it may need elsewhere, otherwiseit will be left in situ for use by the CB.

Regards, Ian M HayAsst Head Projects (ER & Disposals)Defence Infrastructure Organisation

Room F114, Building 351, RAF Brampton,Huntingdon, Cambs, PE28 2EA.

MACHRIHANISH ANDARDRISHAIG RAILRESURRECTION INCAMPBELTOWN?

AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET EN-TRAINEDDear Editor,Campbeltown’s Railway sadly closed in 1931with the advent of road transport. Does anyonewish to change that and bring it back? TheCampbeltown Railway Trust (CRT), ScottishCharity number 040545, certainly does at atime when there could be some very interestingand positive developments. In 2007 Campbeltown was kindly gifted a10.25 inch gauge railway by Mr Passey theprevious owner and operator of the ArdrishaigMiniature Railway. Our small Committee (currently 4 people)wish to establish and operate the railway onthe sea front green during the summer months. We have been working tirelessly toestablish who the owner of the old pump houseis as we considered this building to be ideallysuited to house the engine and rolling stock.We now understand that Scottish Water isgoing to auction this property in either June orSeptember. If a railway is ever to become a realityagain in Campbeltown then we need to applyfor funding, seek relevant permissions andrecruit more like minded volunteers to help usmove the project forward or this opportunitywill be lost forever. If you are interested in helping to developthis railway in Campbeltown then pleasecontact me on 01586 820269 for furtherinformation. Yours faithfully Andrew Hemmings Secretary CRT.

DAVID MCKELLELECTRICIAN

9 ISLE VIEW, MACHRIHANISH, CAMPBELTOWN ARGYLL PA28 6PY PHONE 01586 810472 MOBILE 07786 650937 DAVIDMCKELL@YMAIL.COM

8

Haddock, Whiting, Sole, Cod Fillets, Fresh Salmon,Rainbow Trout, Kippers, Smoked & Peppered Mackerel. Tel: 01586 554338

Fresh fish delivered to your door

Its a poor show this day and age when we all haveto attend to our access road because the road is notadopted by our local council. Really shocked lastweek passing through Ardrishaig to see thousandsof pounds re-tarring a whole car park area, probablynot council, but making a point money wasted whilstour roads are a disgrace. Someone does not seemto have their priorities right. No water filled potholes tarred with this amateurteam, all materials bought by all the residents chip-ping in together and taking on trying to keep our onlyroute to our houses drive-able. We and all otherswonder why we pay taxes whether road or councilbecause it is not getting any better. We up here, andlike some other areas where the roads are notadopted feel it is time our local council rethink aboutthis. What’s good for one is good for all.

Comment and pictures from the Carradale Goatweb-site courtesy of Johnny Durnan

TOSHS’S PARK D.I.Y RESIDENTS SAY TAR-TAR TO THE COUNCIL

‘CONTACT THE TOSH’S PARK TEAM FOR ALLYOUR POTHOLE AND ROAD RESURFACING’.

In the Good Old Days when money was scarceand not frittered away on high executivesalaries, or on bi-lingual road signs which makelittle sense to the non-gaelic speaking majorityor to continental holiday visitors, money wasspent on absolute necessities. Roads were apriority and were dealt with on a regular basisby skilled council employees. Argyll DistrictCouncillors made it their business to ensurethat even those without a car had the pleasureof being able to walk down the middle of a well

surfaced tarmac avenue, stepping aside for theoccasional motorist - an attitude which stillpersists between the Hotel and Tormhor. Withthe transference of forestry houses to the localauthority and the disappearance of DistrictCouncils, maintenance records of narrowerroads serving these houses also vanished.This left residents with a road surface,untreated with salt during the winter and bereftof repairs during the following summer months.Toshs’s Park was not the only road affected in

Kintyre, Shore Road and the Waterfoot roadhave see only sporadic repairs and receivelittle or no salting in the winter. While the effortsof the Toshs’s Potholers demand praise fromeveryone in the Kintyre anxious to preservetheir facilities, it is time that Argyll & ButeCouncillors started to turn their eyes fromobvious ‘public realm works’ in Lochgilpheadand Ardrishaig and started to look seriously atminor roads within their responsibility andprovide immediate and effective repairs. G.P.

The Toshs’s Park road, before work started Hammering home the point to the Council

Almost there - note thebroom supporter’s

professional stance Just a bit more - no bumps here Getting it straight, above Council standards

9

VETERINARY SURGEONJ. H. Hooper B.Sc., B.V.M & S., M.R.C.V.S

UGADALE COTTAGE by CAMPBELTOWN 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

is pleased to provide veterinary care for your pets.Please telephone 01586 552427 for an appointment

EAST KINTYRECOMMUNITY COUNCIL

MINUTESOF THE MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 7TH APRIL

Present: Shelagh Cameron, Ronnie Brownie, StuartIrvine, Andrea Hopkins, Elizabeth McMillan, Tom Adams,Councillor John Semple, Councillor Anne Horn.

MATTERS ARISING FROM LAST MINUTES:• Roads - Julian Gray will attend the next Community

Council meeting if it can be arranged• Treasurers report - closing balance at end of financial

year, £1963. 79• Goat management programme - after last years cull

(which a lot of people were not happy about) it wasagreed to establish a goat management plan similarto the one at Machrihanish. Colin Burgess to speak toAndy. Convener Shelagh Cameron to speak to Brian(gamekeeper)

• Community buyout update - Convener ShelaghCameron spoken to CDSPA (Conservation andDevelopment in Sparsely Populated Areas), also toAndy Anderson of UIG Community Development Trustwho were in a similar situation. A business plan has tobe established to find out if it is viable, valuationneeded, funding etc

• Planning - none• Rhododendron disease I clearance - not much

progress. It was verified that an area of 100 metreshad to be cleared from infected bush. Funding isavailable, more information on web-site

• Community futures - Convener Shelagh Cameronattended a meeting of the Local Area Planning Group,was very interesting, pamphlets from other areas whohave already done a

COMMUNITY PLAN• Village survey - 4 easy questions to go into the June

AntlerCORRESPONDENCE:

• Scottish Rights of Way and Access - leaflet• Fire Brigade Union - leaflet

ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS:• Beach clean - Sunday 17 April 2011 at 2pm, meet at

deer shed, leaflets to be put up round the village• Red Cross bus - being withdrawn, letters to be sent to

Councillors from Community Council in support forkeeping the Red Cross bus

• Gardens - volunteer has come forward, more stillneeded. Poppy seeds still needed. Raised bed to beput up at front of garden

• Notice boards - no progress• Water pump building unlocked - Electricity building

cover flapping about, Tom Adams to take forward• Colin Burgess - footpath documentation still needed,

also a sticker of some sort needed for PAL binsDATE OF NEXT MEETING: Thursday 2nd June

THE KILDONAN KILLERUNPROVOKED ROAD ATTACKS - A DAILY HAZARD

The Kildonan killer has attacked another road user. A three-year-old is the latestroad casualty of the Council’s user-unfriendly Roads Department, its contractorsand its dismissive insurance underwriters. Following a spate of damage to those parts of the travelling public’s body incontact with the road surface, the new preferred means of disablement has movedto the tarmac equivalent of the patella and to the underlying structure; kneereplacements are frequently required. While it is common practice to see travellers moving from one side of the B842to the other to fend off attacks, others, with the safety of their families firmly in mind,are prepared to minimise the risk of assault by dangerously moving down the centreof the road. Although the regular daily traveller is most at risk, professionals acknowledgethe dangers inherent on a short section of the road just North of Kildonan on theB842, where the road narrows through a copse of dark trees. They take whatevasive action they can to limit the damage to themselves, their passengers andload by slowing to a walking pace and picking a path through the the emotional andphysical craters and lumps of an unacceptable hostile road environment. Privatemotorists in somewhat less sturdy vehicles are already haemorrhaging financialblood and resorting to a variety of mobile and non-mobile surgeries. If nothing is done to deter the demons who threaten travellers by over-fillingroad chasms, hoping that they will sink to the normal road level, it is likely that usersof the road may join forces and contact ‘B842Lawyers4U’, one of the less well-knownadvertisers who promise to recover accident costs without charging victims for theirservices. Argyll & Bute Councillors John Semple, Donald Kelly and Rory Colville must beaware of the problem when, on a rare occasion, they travel to Carradale forcommunity council meetings. On the other hand, since they are not due to face thepublic at an election until 2012, perhaps they are not publicising the efforts theyhave made to bring it to the attention of the Council’s road maintenance department,but keeping it as a promise for their next term in office.Incidentally on a recent 1,698 mile journey round the rural areas of Scotland andEngland, no minor road was as holed or as badly repaired as the B842 and no trunkroad was treated so disgracefully as sections of the A83 south of Lochgilphead. Ed.

SERIOUS ROAD ISSUES FACE ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL ROADS DEPT.COUNCILLORS INVITED TO LOOK AT THE STATE OF THE ROAD AT KILDONAN

Quality catering to arouse your senses. We cater for parties large andsmall, at your home, at your business or other location of your choice –we promise you stress free entertaining.Book your event with us today –you won’t be disappointed.Visit our website: www.kilbrannancatering.co.uk

Telephone Anne on 015431581 or Jennifer on 01583 431632

JoineryFencingDeckingShelving

Decorating

Phone KeeF01583 43161407786 838996

Your local handy-man who won’t let you down & won’t charge the earth

NO D.I.Y JOB TOO SMALL

TilingPath laying

Domestic repairsDry stone walling

Flat pack assembly

Need a repair or a small job done?Can’t get a tradesman to come out?

10

EAST KINTYRE COMMUNITY COUNCIL:CARRADALE SURVEY

ARGYLL & BUTE COUNCIL STATE THAT IT WANTS TO ENCOURAGE -Communities that are culturally rich with a desire to excel

• Proactive communities where local people and organisations look for and createopportunities

• Dynamic public services with more delivery of high quality ‘professional’ servicesfrom Argyll and Bute

• Partnership working across all sectors to coordinate developments, promote Argylland Bute and remove constraints

• Communities that encourage lifelong learning and are keen for communities to beinvolved in the planning process.

Argyll & Bute Council have a Community Plan for the area which we should be feedinginto if we want the best for our community. To that end East Kintyre Community Councilhas taken the decision along with other community councils in the area to be part ofa Community Action Plan. We are starting that process with a Community ViewsSurvey in Carradale. Please take a couple of minutes to be part of the process - it'syour village please make your views known.

THE SURVEYWhat do you like about Carradale?What do you not like about Carradale?What would make Carradale a better place to live in, work in or visit?What are your priority projects or actions - the ones that you'd like to see developed first?We would be grateful if you could tell usa) Which age band you are in - (please circle)

5-11 12-17 18-24 25-44 45-59 60-69 70 -79 80+b) Whether you are Male or Female M FPlease drop your completed survey form at either post office or phone Shelagh 431345to arrange collection. If you wish to add further comments please use the back of thissheet Thank you. Shelagh Cameron.Although the survey is included in the June Antler as general information, a separatesurvey form was inserted in copies distributed in Carradale itself. Ed.

APRIL RAINFALLApril was a dry month with just 74mm recorded. However, it was not the driest as ourrecords show that both 2003 and 2007 recorded less. (66 & 54 mm respectively). We did not get the frequent expected showers so typical of April, instead we gotbursts of heavy rain peppered with dry and protracted dry spells. For two consecutiveyears now April has proved to be the ideal month to visit Kintyre, but farmers andgardeners now need rain. Those on private water supplies are even to be heardmuttering the dreaded ‘water shortage’ words under their breath. Heavy rain daily in the first week, and also on the 11th & 12th meant that by thatdate 67mm had been recorded. After then, apart from an overnight reading on the22rd/23rd there were only trace recordings amassing the 74mm overall total. Thisgave the impression, if not reality, of a lengthy 18 day long dry spell for the secondhalf if not for most of April. The fine settled sunny weather, with higher than expected temperatures, wasbroken only in the two final days when fresher North Easterly winds brought coolerweather but still no early prospect to the end of the dry spell. M.L.

. RNLI BONUS BALL WINNERS5th March James McConnachie, 12th March Frank King, 19th March Jay McConnachie

26th March  No Winner, 2nd April Elma McLean, 9th April Lindsey Semple16th April Margaret Richardson, 23rd April Dr.R. Abernethy, 30th April Duncan Dunlop.

TRAVELLING CRATAGEUSLYSPRING WAS BUSTING OUT ALL OVER .....

While leaving Kintyre always seems to be like having alimb torn off the body cultural, the experience makesreturning more of a pleasure. Following the unusuallysevere winter, the loss of trees and shrubs, a chance tosee how the countryside was affected in other parts ofthe UK was somewhat of a mixed prospect. The very late Easter and much discussed unusualholiday period opened with a prolonged period ofsunshine and high temperatures further south. Afterleaving Carradale at 4.45am on the 20th of April and withthe 7.30am M8 panic only just evident, the long stretchesof the M74 proved to be an enjoyable change from thebadly repaired B842. As the temperature rose well above seasonalaverages, roadside hawthorn bushes and trees becameprogressively more like floral arrangements for aCalifornian wedding. By the time we entered William andCatherine’s titular county creamy-white was the definitelythe colour to to be admired. On the following day the first avian sign of springappeared above Shotley Church - a well-known buildingfor those seamen who trained at HMS Ganges and forfamilies of German sub-mariners lost in World War 1.While it was much too early to hear the nightingale onthe banks of the river which Eric Blair chose as hispen-name, we failed to hear the cuckoo until 29th of April,when we returned to Kintyre. The lesson learned on this increasingly expensivejourney is that what Kintyre lacks in the way of cheapfuel, good road surfaces and florid natural vegetation itgains through its less dramatic entrance to the pleasuresof the season and its appreciation of subtle changes tothe landscape - our less abundant hawthorn blooms haveyet to open fully, giving us greater pleasure in seeing aquieter evolution. G.P.

Tracy and Fiona are very pleased to announce that Nonnie has now joined the teamof staff at the Ashbank Hotel. Bar open from 12pm-2pm & 4pm to late.

Quiz every Thursday @ 8.30pm prompt - limited space so get there early!New Lunch & A'la carte menu every 2 months - Eat in our new contemporary restaurant or cosy lounge. Daily specials

- Sunday Lunches Monthly theme nights - Indian, Italian, Chinese & Tapas. Take away menu plus all items from the mainmenu, just order before 1 pm Free-wi-fi & parking, Events parties & Outside Catering available to suit your needs E-mail:

ashbankhotel@tiscali.co.uk Internet:www.ashbankhotel.com

For further details please call 01583 431 650 OPEN TUESDAY TO SUNDAY 12 - 2pm. Evening meals: 6pm - 8pm Booking advisable

ASHBANK HOTEL, CARRADALE

I would like to thank everyone who took a chance, played, won, or lost. All contributedto a donation to the RNLI since April 2010 of £1000.30p!! The Bonus Ball can still beplayed at Semple's and now The Cruban Maureen Owen.

THE SHOP IS OPEN Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 8am to 1pm & 2pm to 5pm.Thursday 8am to 1pm. Sundays: One hour only from 10am to 11am TELEPHONE 01583 431725

THE POST OFFICE IS OPEN Monday to Saturday 9am-1pmTry our freshly baked morning rolls, crusty bread, tea bread and cakes, all baked in our old-fashioned stone oven

TOM GRANTPARTNERSHIPA R C H I T E C T S

41 Longrow, CampbeltownArgyll PA28 6ER

Tel: 01586 554727 Fax: 01586 55172724 Argyll St. Lochgilphead

Argyll PA31 8NETel: 01546 603050

Tom Grant Dip.,Arch.,R.I.B.A.,R.I.A.S

Mobile 0370 538 661

QUALITY HOUSE COALSSMOKELESS & COOKER FUEL

CENTRAL HEATING OILROAD DIESEL & TRACTOR FUEL

Fuel MerchantKINLOCH ROAD

CAMPBELTOWN PA28 6EG FAX: (01586 552039)

FREE DELIVERY(MONDAY TO FRIDAY)

D.McNAIR& SON Ltd

TELEPHONE(01586)552020552039

THE PICTURE HOUSERED RIDING HOOD (12A)

SAT 21 MAY 2011 FOR 6 DAYSat 8.00pm Starring:

Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman,Billy Burke, Shiloh Fernandez

& Max Irons

11

CARRADALE HARBOUR USERS GROUP HAS ARRANGEDA PUBLIC MEETING IN CARRADALE VILLAGE HALL

AT 7.30PM ON FRIDAY 20TH MAY (TOMORROW)ABOUT THE FUTURE OF CARRADALE HARBOUR

What do you want the harbour to be? This is your chance to say.

RESULT OF ELECTION TOSCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

George Doyle, Independent 542 (2.04%)Alison Hay, Scottish Liberal Democrats 3,220 (12.11%)Jamie McGrigor, Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party 4,847 (18.22%)Mick Rice, Scottish Labour Party 4,041 (15.19%)Michael William Russell, Scottish National Party (SNP) 13,390 (50.35%)George Alexander White, Liberal party 436 (1.64%)Michael William Russell has therefore been elected asthe Member of Scottish Parliament for Argyll and Bute.Total electorate (2010 in brackets* ) : 48,925 (67,165)Turnout: 54.36% constituency & 54.49% regional.

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT ELECTION -HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS REGION

Results of the Scottish Parliament Election in the Highlands and Islands Region:PARTY/CANDIDATE DESCRIPTION NUMBER OF VOTES SHAREAll Scotland Pensioners Party/Scottish Senior Citizens Party 436 1.64%Ban Bankers Bonuses 198 0.74%British National Party 183 0.69%Christian Party ‘Proclaiming Christ’s Lordship’ Scottish Christian Party 231 0.87%Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party 4156 15.63%Scottish Green Party Eleanor Scott for MSP 1304 4.9%Scottish Labour Party 3804 14.3%Scottish Liberal Democrats 2155 8.1%Scottish National Party (SNP) Alex Salmond for First Minister 13172 49.52%Scottish Socialist Party 95 0.36%Socialist Labour Party 204 0.77%Solidarity – Scotland’s Socialist Movement 50 0.19%The Liberal Party 247 0.93%UK Independence Party UKIP 362 1.36%TOTAL VOTES CAST 26,597 99.77%

RESULT OF THE ALTERNATIVEVOTE REFERENDUM

IN ARGYLL AND BUTEYes votes: 9,526No votes: 16,580

Rejected votes: 169Total votes cast: 26,2285

The Antler welcomes stories articles and reports sent to The Editor atBenbecula, Carradale PA28 6QX - e-mail geoffreyf.page@homecall.co.uk

12

THE ANTLER WELCOMESCONTRIBUTORS, SUBSCRIBERS &

ADVERTISERSPlease contact the Editor at Benbecula, Waterfoot, Carradale,

Campbeltown, Argyll PA28 6QX.Tel: 01583 431281. e-mail: geoffreyf.page@homecall.co.uk

SCOOTER & ROAD TRAILERFOR SALE

A Sym Joyride 180cc 4-stroke Scooter. First reg. 24March 2006 Mileage 1200 km (745 miles) needs an

MOT, £700, plus a large-wheeled double motorcycletrailer, used twice. £300. Ring 01583 431281.

E: staff@krispprint.co.uk www.krispprint.co.ukT: 01586 554975 F: 01586 554903krisp

printJOB LOSS AND REDUNDANCY

EXTRACTS FROM ‘CHOOSE-LIFE’, ‘PACE’ & CITIZENS ADVICE PAMPHLETSWork is important for lots of reasons, losing a job can mean the loss of more than money.You might feel a bit lost, angry, confused and sad as you adjust to unemployment. It isalso hard as an employer to lose your business and to have to make people redundant.

IF THIS IS YOUASK FOR HELP if coping is getting hard. Look to friends, family, organisations and

your G.P. for support.+ Keep Busy and Active: Keeping to a routine, including a time for regular job searching,

will support your well being.+ Talk: Sharing how you feel with people who care about you will help lift your spirit and

keep you motivated.+ Look After Yourself: This is a stressful time in your life, do what you can to reduce

stress - get enough sleep, stick to recommended drinking limits - drinking too muchmay increase stress . Eat well and keep well hydrated - plenty of fibre, fruit and vegand water. Keep active - a brisk walk every day will do wonders for your mood, yoursleep and reduce stress. If the stress of job loss has led to thoughts of suicide - talkto someone straight away. If you can't think of who you would tell, use one of thehelp-lines overleaf. You can get help to manage your feelings and talking about themmay save your life.

FACING REDUNDANCY?Employment laws relating to how employers should handle proposed redundancies, forexample:+ You must not be unfairly chosen for redundancy.+ Your employer must consult with you before deciding to make you redundant.+ Your employer must follow the correct procedures and give you proper notice.+ You should be offered any suitable alternative work and be given time off to look for a

new job.+ If you feel you have been unfairly treated, get advice; don't delay.+ If you are a union member, your union representative can help.+ Find out about your benefit entitlement and how to claim as soon as possible.You can get help under a Scottish Government initiative called Partnership Action forContinuing Employment (PACE) that can help manage the impact of redundancy onbusinesses, employees and the local community. Find out more about PACE bycontacting: The national redundancy help-line on 0808 100 1855 or www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/ redundancy

GETTING BACK TO WORKAre you looking for a job or considering a new career? It is vital that you plan your nextsteps. You need to consider your options,know what skills you have, assess theemployment market and decide what's best for you. The following can all help:+ SKILLS DEVELOPMENT SCOTLAND (CAREERS SCOTLAND) Offers a range of career planning, employability and information services to enable you

to make well-informed work and learning decisions. www.careersscotland.org uk 08458502 502

+ JOBCENTRE PLUS Help and advice on making or maintaining a benefit claim, accessing vacancies and

advice on job-search techniques. www.direct.gov.uk 0845 60 60 234+ BUSINESS GATEWAY & THE PRINCE'S SCOTTISH YOUTH BUSINESS TRUST Practical help, advice and support for new and growing businesses. The Prince's

Scottish Youth Business Trust: (16 to 25 yrs, up to 30 on the islands)www.bgateway.com 0845 609 6611 www.psybt.org.uk 0141 435 7560

You might also want to consider volunteer work, joining your local time bank or makinguse of your local Community Education Centre to build on or refresh your skills as youlook for help. This will help to maintain a sense of well being and show prospectiveemployers that you are motivated to return to work.

USEFUL CONTACTSEmotional Support & Information. Breathing space: Free, confidential phoneline 0800 83 85 87.Samaritans: 0845 90 90 90 www.samaritans.org. e-mail jo@samaritans.org.The Argyll and Bute Choose Life Initiative: www.chooselifeinargylland bute.org.uk.Online guided self-help support www.livinglifetothefull.com.Practical information & Support, Advisory, Conciliation & Arbitration Service (ACAS) 08457 47 47 47.Advice Guide: Online self help from the Citizens Advice Service www.adviceguide.org.uk.Argyll College: 0845 230 9969 www.argyllcollege.com.Argyll Voluntary Action: 01631 569 545.Work Smart: Information and advice about the world of work from the TUC 0870 600 4882 www.worksmart.org.uk.Argyll & Bute Citizens Advice Bureau: 08456 123 808 Info@abcab.org.uk.

SENIORS FORUMMINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD AT KINLOCH

HALL CAMPBELTOWN ON 14TH APRIL 2011PRESENT George McMillan (chair) Emily McDonald,Catherine Mclntyre, John Mclntyre, Jean Miller, JanetRussell, Florence Lamont, Emily McDonald andMaryanne Stewart. Apologies Ailsa Stewart and DouglasMcKerral. The chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

MINUTESThe minutes of the meeting held on 14th March wereapproved on a motion proposed by Catherine Mclntyreand seconded by Florence Lamont. There were nomatters arising.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTThere was no financial statement available this month

JUNE MEETINGAfter some discussion it was agreed to have the Junemeeting at Tayinloan for the summer outing on 9th June.Maryanne to book for 3pm. Numbers will be confirmednearer the time.

AOCBThe digital changeover was discussed and advice givenby Argyll Voluntary Action.A query arose about postalvotes and George was able to give a full response.Argyll Voluntary Action was thanked for giving temporaryassistance.

Date of next meeting: 12th May 2011.