Excerpts from issue 46/09 16 February 2019
In this issue: New Ileach editor, Gill Johnstone scoops NFUS award, Screen Machine's Iain MacColl wins a BAFTA, Laphroaig'sJohn Campbell to chair Islay Gathering, Nigel's thirty years at Laphroaig, Bowmore Primary's Chinese lunch
Islay dentist, Marcin Paradowski in the newly opened, state of the art, dentist surgery in Shore Street, Bowmore.
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Islay Gathering 2019
This year's event will be held on Saturday 2 March (note the change of day this year from the usual Friday) at the Glasgow University students' union. The change of day follows survey feedback that suggested Saturday night was the favoured night, probably as it gently glides into Sunday morning.
This year's chairperson will be Laphroaig distillery manager, John Campbell.
A delighted John said "I am very happy to be given the opportunity to be the Chairman at this year's Islay Gathering.
"This will be the 157th gathering and that in itself is an amazing tribute to all who are connected with our island and their passion for the place I call home.
"I'm looking forward to the evening itself as there are lots of talented folk performing and I may even get the dancing shoes on!" Look out Glasgow!
The talent on show will include Pipe Major Andrew MacCowan with Libby Morris, Mòd gold medal winner Ruairidh Cormack, Scottish folk singer Fiona Hunter, The Glasgow Islay Gaelic Choir and Islay pipe band. The dance band with the challenge to get John on that dance floor, if he's not there already, will be Beinn Lee.
Tickets are available at the door, or from Katherine McNaughton katislay26@hotmail.co.uk or 07770 956 337.
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Russell clarifies situation on Air Discount Scheme
Following our story, 'Up in the Air', in the last edition, when fears were raised that the Air Discount Scheme would be a casualty of Brexit at the end of March, Mike Russell has provided the following clarification to the Ileach.
Michael writes, "The good news is that the ADS is not a casualty of Brexit. The Scottish Government receives no EU money for it and it operates under Scottish legislation. The scheme is merely notified to the European Commission under the General Block Exemption Regulation in order to ensure compliance with EU State Aid rules.
"I understand that the scheme's renewal, as it expires in March, is under consideration by my colleague the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and an announcement will be made soon. Certainly I have been keen to see it continue and still am."
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MSP challenges ferry fare rises
Concerns over a proposal to increase ferry fares on peak time services have been raised by Scottish Conservative MSP Donald Cameron.
The idea, which is contained in the SNP Government's Scottish Ferries Plan, is one of several proposals to ease passenger and vehicle congestion, as put forward in the document which maps out the future of Scotland's ferry services until 2022.
However, the idea has been criticised by local communities across the Highlands and Islands, with some fearing that it could discourage people from living and working in Scotland's island communities in particular. Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron has asked the Minister for Energy, Connectivity & the Islands, Paul Wheelhouse, to give assurances that local people across the region would not be impacted by such a proposal.
Paul Wheelhouse responded by stating: "We recognise the concern that users of lifeline ferry services have about accessibility to services when they need them" and that he would "...be happy to meet Donald Cameron to discuss his concerns about issues that have been raised directly with him."
Cameron said, following the exchange, "There has been huge concern across the islands about this particular proposal found in the SNP's ferries plan.
"At a time when the high cost of living remains a real threat to population levels in our island communities, the last thing we need are hikes in fares on lifeline ferry services."
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NEXT ISSUE ON SALE, Saturday 2 March 2019
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Islay Diary 2019
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- Saturday 16 February
- Drama Workshops, Bruichladdich Hall
- Sunday 17 February
- Scottish Country Dancing, ICCI
- Tuesday 19 February
- The Electrifying Mr Johnston, Bowmore Hall
- Chit Chat Stroll, Tea at Islay House
- Islay Quilters Workshop
- Sunday 24 February
- Scottish Country Dancing, ICCI
- Islay Motor Club, Illustrated Talk
- Tuesday 26 February
- Chit Chat Stroll, Kilnaughton
- Wednesday 27 February
- Bruichladdich Hall AGM
- Baptist Church Walk
- Thursday 28 February
- Islay Quilters Workshop
- Islay Rowing Club AGM, Service Point
- Friday 1 March
- MSP Surgery, Bowmore & Port Ellen
- Saturday 2 March
- Islay Gathering, Glasgow
- Sunday 3 March
- Scottish Country Dancing, ICCI
- Tuesday 5 March
- RNLI, Fundraisers AGM, Port Askaig
- Saturday 16 March
- Book Festival, AGM, Islay House
- Islay Pipe Band, Quiz Night, Bowmore Hotel
