Excerpts from issue 44/24 16 September

port ellen police station

Sir John Mactaggart and Lord George Robertson at the opening of 'Robertson House', the former police station in Port Ellen.

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The Last Post?

The residents of Portnahaven will be without a Post Office from early October when the incumbent Post Master fulfils his previous stated desire to relinquish the position.
Alastair Redman explained that he had informed the Post Office of his intention to leave almost two years ago, but that the Post Office had had real trouble finding anyone who was interested in running the Post Office on a full time basis.
"I'll be leaving on October 5 and the retail side of things will be taken over before then. The Post Office side will be turned into an out reach office with reduced hours," he said, adding that in his capacity of local councillor he will be able to devote more time to his local ward. The news comes on the back of a reduced service in the Bowmore Post Office, following the departure of the previous Post Mistress earlier in the year.
A spokesperson for the Post Office confirmed that the postmaster at Portnahaven had resigned and withdrawn the premises for Post Office use and therefore the branch will temporarily close on October 5.
On the wider issue of Post Office provision on the island, the spokesperson said that the Post Office remains committed to providing services in the area and that the local team will continue to look for solutions for future provision in Islay.
"We know how important Post Office services are to people in Islay and we apologise to customers for the inconvenience the temporary closure will cause. We would like to assure customers that we continue to investigate the options available which will enable us to provide Post Office services to the community of Islay in the future. In exploring this, it is important that any future service is sustainable for the person operating the service, and for Post Office."

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Islay entrepreneur aims to lose millions of pounds

ÊJordan Paisley, from Islay has teamed up with business partner Ross McMillan to launch Voomfit, a start-up set to transform the health and well-being industry. Voomfit has received a significant investment from software entrepreneur, Brian Welsh, who has backed the internet start up toÊtransform Glasgow's fitness industry and help Glaswegians in their journey to get fit, live well and lose weight.
Jordan Paisley and his fellow business partner founded the online hub for browsing and booking services this year, have each invested personally in the venture. Jordan said: "This injection of funds will support the continued growth of the website, increase functionality and help us to develop our brand. We want to make it as easy as possible for the people of Glasgow to get fit and healthy."
"If you think what site you would visit to book a flight, or to look for a new property, most people have an answer. If you then ask them where they would go to find a personal trainer, gym membership, spa package or outdoor activity, theyÕll struggle.
"We are really excited by the opportunity to give users more control and flexibility over how, where and when they get fit."
The pair have recruited a trio of "brand ambassadors" to help grow the platform's user base and engage with business across the Glasgow. Through the website, which is an all-in-one resource for local fitness and wellbeing needs, users can browse and book people and services from across the industry. Some of Glasgow's most sought after fitness professionals and chefs have already signed-up to be part of the online hub. While currently efforts are focussed on Glasgow, the company has plans to scale across the UK.
Investor Brian Welsh will offer both software and business expertise, on top of the significant funding boost. He said: "Fitness is such a huge part of modern life, but there's still a lot of guesswork and an element of luck when it comes to finding the right class or personal trainer.
"Like any great idea, this is a solution to a problem. I'm very excited by the vision of Jordan and Ross, and to be part of the company at this early stage. I believe this idea has unlimited potential to revolutionise the fitness industry."
To find out more about Voomfit, visit www.voomfit.com.

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Safer Electricity Provision for Islay

Scottish and Southern Electricity Network is upgrading the electricity network on Islay to improve the island's security of supply by installing a new 11kV switchboard at the Power Station in Bowmore (currently housed in the green metal container). The investment will modernise our existingÊnetwork and allow full control from our Network Management Centre in Perth.
This project builds on earlier refurbishment works that took place on the island to upgrade overhead lines in the area.
"We're investing in our network on Islay to ensure our customers have the power they need. This is part of an ongoing commitment to deliver a more robust electricity network on the island and to improve the service we provide to our customers," said Ross Fenton, Regional Investment Manager, at SSEN.
The works at the power station started in April this year and are expected to be completed later this winter.

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NEXT ISSUE ON SALE 30 September 2017

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islay info

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islay community council

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Islay Diary 2017

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