Excerpts from issue 52/02 2 November 2024
Itsy Bitsy
Islay's 'Crochet Banksy' has returned to the postbox in Morrison Court, this time celebrating Hallowe'en with a very large, brightly coloured spider, guarding mail deliveries from its web site (sorry).
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Hotel California?
Following disruption to almost all west coast ferry services during Storm Ashley on Sunday 20 October, the following day, MV Finlaggan suffered a problem with one of her engines, rendering the vessel unable to berth at Port Askaig and therefore forced to return to Kennacraig.
Due to the engine breakdown being more serious than originally thought, and the possibility of the initial problem having caused further damage, all Monday's sailings were subsequently cancelled, along with the Finlaggan's sailings on Tuesday 22 October.
A spokesperson for Islay Ferry Committee told the Ileach, "Sunday’s storm cancellations and this latest breakdown on the Finlaggan, provide evidence of why a single vessel service on the Islay route is no longer workable.
"We had heard, prior to the noted disruption, that bookings were full until Thursday 24 October. A backlog of such proportions has no doubt made the situation a lot worse.
"On the many occasions that we have raised the point that this route demands a two vessel service, we have been assured by CalMac that a replacement vessel would be supplied in the event of breakdowns etc."
CalMac subsequently moved MV Lord of the Isles from Ardrossan to undertake sailings from Port Ellen on the afternoon of Tuesday 22 October, and again on Wednesday 23 October, while the Finlaggan was removed from service to effect repairs. These were expected to have been completed in time to allow the vessel to re-join the service early on Wednesday morning, but further delays rendered that impossible.
Delivery drivers, however, were praised for waiting and travelling to Islay on the Lord of the Isles late on Tuesday evening, to provide local retailers with much-needed supplies. And Campbell's of Port Ellen opened at 5:30am on Wednesday 23 October for anyone who needed to stock up after almost three days without any ferry sailings.
Councillor Dougie McFadzean, in a letter to CalMac's Area Operations Manager, stated, "When deploying your vessels, and I appreciate the difficulties being experienced re-break downs etc., your senior management must understand that Islay and Jura only have one mainland port. We only have one route. We have no back door, little ferry, that can help. We are not like Arran, Mull, or the Uists where there are always alternatives. We are not a ten minute crossing like Cumbrae, and we wholly rely on your service to live."
He also made plain that CalMac staff had been verbally abused by irate customers, which is, he said, completely out of order. "The efforts of the port staff must be recognised, as they are going above and beyond trying to help those who are stranded.
"I will be writing once more to the Transport Minister, Fiona Hyslop, to highlight the situation we again find ourselves in."
Councillor Anne Horn, joined her colleague, saying, "The effect that these [...] chaotic circumstances are having on Islay and indeed on people stranded on the Kennacraig side (are) preventing people from attending urgent appointments and in some circumstances, people unable to get to work."
Councillor Alastair Redman concurred. "I have to praise the front-line CalMac staff, who continue to work hard under difficult circumstances.
"However, there needs to be better oversight from central management to address these recurring issues."
Following successful completion of repairs, the Finlaggan rejoined Lord of the Isles on the morning of Thursday 24 October. By Saturday, the backlog of vehicles had been cleared and new bookings re-opened.
Ironically, during the preceding week, the Ileach had received a press release entitled, 'CalMac plans ahead to manage service disruption.' And on Wednesday 23 October, unfortunate timing brought a CalMac marketing e-mail promoting "...an unforgettable adventure." providing the "perfect escape".
Many visitors may find it appropriate that we reference the lyrics of the Eagles' song, 'Hotel California', "You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave."
Lynn Mitchell, Islay High School Head Teacher, was, however fulsome in her praise of CalMac. Pupils who left on a school trip later in the day than expected on Wednesday 23 October, arrived to find no onward transport. So CalMac port staff arranged to get them safely to their destination.
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In this week's issue:
Mòd winners, Ferry woes (again), Accident on the Low Road, Remembrance services, Summer ferry timetable 2025, Progress for MachairWind, Islay Football, Islay Cancer support, Grumble from Gruinart, Islay Oysters win award, No Islay Sessions this year, Islay Gaelic Choir Trip to the Mòd, Interview with new IHS head teacher, Lynn Mitchell, Brought to Book. Album Review: John Donegan Sextet, Vote for Jura Music Festival, Remembering the wordly genius of Calum Murray, Allan Bell's wartime reminiscences, Why we still light bonfires on 5 November
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Jura Music Festival deserves your vote
Jura Music Festival has been shortlisted in the 'Event of the Year' category for this year's Trad Music Awards. The public vote ends on Sunday 10 November, before which you can cast your vote for the festival, which celebrated its 30th anniversary this year.
scots trad music awards
The winners will be announced at a star-studded award ceremony at Inverness Leisure on Saturday 30 November, when the event returns to the Highland capital for the first time in ten years.
Regarded as the single most important awards ceremony for folk and trad musicians, bands and artists, the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are organised by Hands Up For Trad, an organisation which stands at the forefront of Scotland's cultural landscape, promoting traditional music and culture through their talent development, education and advocacy work.
The gold standard for industry achievement, the awards night will fittingly be held on St. Andrew's Day and seeks to celebrate stand-out talent from all corners of the country working across a range of genres and styles to create and promote Scotland's trad music scene over the last twelve months.
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Music review
We Will Meet Again, Sometime. John Donegan Irish Sextet with special guest Hugh Buckley. Jayde Records CD 09.
There is always a coterie of jazz fans (and it's quite likely I am amongst their number), who moan that 'they don't make albums like they used to.' That could be simply modern recording techniques removing 'all the soul', or possibly musical sensibilities that are no longer mired in the 1950s.
Irish pianist, John Donegan, however, might just have found the secret sauce that allows him to appeal to both the luddites and contemporary jazz fans.
This is brilliant.
The brashness of the horns on the eight minute opening track 'Blues for a few Bucks' would scarcely be out of place on a 50s Art Blakey album, starkly contrasted with the more modern appeal of track 2, 'Like one Moment'. Yet, even that offers a nod or two in the direction of the greats from the 50s and 60s.
Donegan's pianistic abilities are beautifully exemplified on 'I'm Just Nearby', accompanied by the flute of Michael Buckley, one of three cousins within the album's personnel. Drummer, John Daly's brushwork adds to the joy.
Donegan's piano stakes its claim once again on the solo outing 'La Vita E Bella', while famed Irish guitarist, Louis Stewart, is celebrated in 'A Ballad for Louis', featuring guitarist, Hugh Buckley, and written following Stewart's passing in 2016.
For Irish traditionalists with just a soupcon of jazz sensibility, 'By the Waters of Glencar' epitomises Donegan's celebrations of Ireland's musical tradition and locations (a waterfall and lough near Sligo in west Ireland).
In this, there are valid comparisons to be made with the musical approach of Scotland's Fergus McCreadie.
The title, 'We Will Meet Again Sometime' is said to reflect the uncertainty that present-day freelance musicians experience throughout their chosen career. Surely this particular outing will offer encouragement that Donegan's sextet will meet again sooner, rather than later?
A marvellous album.
bp
'We Will Meet Again Sometime' is available on Bandcamp.
https://bit.ly/3AaJKav
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This is Islay
A monthly podcast featuring individuals, personalities and features of Islay and Jura. Listen now at https://anchor.fm/thisisislay
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