Excerpts from issue 46/26 12 October 2019
In this issue: Ella Edgar celebrates 50 years of Highland Dance tuition, Ferry Manifesto for Change, Dunyvaig Dig in review, Islay Airport staff fightfloods, Sean finally shines on Islay, Beach Rugby cancelled for 2020, Virtual Islands Summit, Bakhch-Pour at Islay House, Local Youth Groups benefit from CalMac Fund.
Archaeologists and volunteers seen at Dunyvaig Castle, Lagavulin, during this summer's annual dig. A full report by Professor Stephen Mithen can be found in the latest issue of the Ileach.
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Islay Airport team fights flood to deliver flights
On Saturday night, 5 October, the low road was closed and Islay airport was cut off under a deluge of rain water, with the main building, car parks and the runway completely flooded.
The unprecedented rainfall during the night, saw the rainwater coming down the hill and flowing into the brook, which, given the amount of water, burst its banks and overflowed into the airport.
Speaking to the Ileach, General Manager, of Islay Airport, Niall Colthart said: "The team have been amazing since this happened. We had people on site from midnight to 5:30am on Sunday morning trying to get everything back together for a normal day's flight services on the Sunday."
Losing their power and IT connectivity, Niall said "Due to everyone's hard work, we managed to get both flights out on the day. The team did a magnificent job."
Their endeavours to make it all run smoothly involved some ingenuity, as Niall added "We got the Sunday services up and running by re-connecting to the internet on a laptop, via one of the team's home broadband account using 4G".
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Leap of faith results in arrest at Port Ellen
Police called, as female 'backpacker' attempts to board departing ferry.
On Monday 23 September, the 7am ferry from Port Ellen was delayed by over an hour, following an incident involving a female passenger. The woman had attempted to board the departing ferry by leaping from the boarding ramp.
The Ileach was informed by an eye witness, that a woman, weighed down with a 'back pack', attempted to leap onto the ferry already set to sail, despite being advised by CalMac pier staff and ferry crew "shouting at her" to stay back for her own safety.
The guide ropes holding the ferry had already been released, but the woman, who arrived at the ferry port at 6:54am, six minutes before departure time, put her life and others' at risk, in an effort to board the ferry.
She apparently did not want to miss the ferry, as she had a connecting flight to catch from Glasgow.
It is further understood that the crew saw the woman jump, but could not see if she had landed on the ship, back onto the ramp, or in the water; obviously in a dangerous position between the vessel and the harbour wall.
The police were called to the incident, and, as a result, the ferry was delayed by an hour and the rest of the day's timetable was subsequently impacted.
Local police advised the Ileach that "A twenty-six year old female was arrested at Port Ellen Ferry Terminal, on Monday 23rd September, after she attempted to board a moving ferry. She was later released with a Fixed Penalty Notice."
This incident is a timely reminder for all passengers to observe due protocol at the ports, and to follow the guidance and instructions of the experienced, trained and professional maritime crews at the ports and on the ferries.
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Gaelic Choirs join together in harmony
Bowmore Primary School Gaelic Choir has, this year, merged with Port Ellen Primary School Gaelic Choir as Caridean Ciuil Ile, under the baton of Maureen MacDonald, head teacher of both primary schools. The Bowmore Primary Gaelic Choir was previously run by Alison Gray and, before that, her mum, Helen Gillies.
As Bowmore Primary School Gaelic Choir, the members of the choir and their parents were well known at various community events, raising funds to enable every child in the choir to attend the annual trip to the National Mòd to represent their school and island.
Over the years, Bowmore choir has been very fortunate to be supported by the local community, helping raise funds to support the trips from the island.
There's even some money left in the bank account.
After much consideration, it was decided that these funds would be used to cover the cost for each Bowmore pupil in Caridean Ciuil Ile to attend the National Mòd in Glasgow this month. A contribution towards the cost of an accompanying adult per family, was also donated.
As a way of thanking the local community for their support over the years, Bowmore Primary School Gaelic Choir will be purchasing a Christmas light for the village of Bowmore as a small gesture of thanks to the community. Any remaining funds will then be donated to a Breast Cancer Charity.
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NEXT ISSUE ON SALE, Saturday 26 October 2019
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Islay Diary 2019
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- Saturday 12 October
- Whisky Tasting & Supper, Ballygrant Inn
- Sunday 13 October
- Scottish Country Dancing, Bowmore Hall
- Baptist Church/St. Johns service, Port Ellen
- Tuesday 15 October
- Chit Chat Strollers, Bridgend Woods
- Wednesday 16 October
- T in the Church, Portnahaven
- Saturday 19 October
- RNLI Fundraisers, An Tigh Siennse, Portnahaven
- Sunday 20 October
- Scottish Country Dancing, Bowmore Hall
- Tuesday 22 October
- Chit Chat Strollers, Loch Skerrolls
- Piano Concert, Islay House
- Wednesday 23 October
- T in the Church, Portnahaven
- Port Ellen Harbour Ass., AGM, Port Ellen
- Thursday 24 October
- Badminton IHS
- Islay RFC, AGM, Servoce Point, Bowmore
- Sunday 27 October
- Scottish Country Dancing, Bowmore Hall
- IHS Car Boot Sale
- Wednesday 30 October
- T in the Church, Portnahaven
- Thursday 31 October
- Badminton IHS
- Thursday 7 November
- Badminton IHS
- Thursday 14 November
- Badminton IHS
- Thursday 21 November
- Badminton IHS
- Sunday 21 November
- IHS Car Boot Sale
- Thursday 28 November
- Badminton IHS
- Thursday 5 December
- Badminton IHS
- Thursday 12 December
- Badminton IHS
- Sunday 15 December
- IHS Car Boot Sale
- Thursday 19 December
- Badminton IHS
