HOW LATE IT WAS, HOW LATE...

Your Editor can do little but apologise for the paucity , and indeed the lateness, of this Issue.

The island being awash with sunshine and visitors, there is much to divert the attention of the normally hard-working and conscientious staff of Corncrake Towers from their labour of love. The gratification of personal desires is, of course, something to be abhorred and something in Corncrake Towers we constantly and flagellatingly strive against. But there again, there is oft-times a degree of joy (small, it has to be admitted) from straying (or being led from...) the narrow path of virtuosity and decorum.

And so it has been these last few weeks, with good weather, good ceilidhs, good craic, good company and goodness knows what else.

Not to diminish your Editor's failings, but would you prefer the daily grind over the many current opportunities to laze on a Hebridean beach? :

COLONSAY SPORTS

Colonsay's bid to host the Olympic Games in 2012 took place on Saturday 16th July. Unfortunately, due to a wee mix up over dates, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had already awarded the hosting of the Games to London. But when this shattering news broke, it was decided to carry on with our own event so at least the London organisers could learn just how to do things properly.

It had been a year or three since the last Colonsay Sports Day and so there was much anticipation and a crowd well in excess of 250 made their way to the "airstrip" just after lunchtime on the 16th, this despite a dull and cool day of brooding skies and mist. Just as the event was due to start, a light rain began to fall. A quick meeting of the IOC (the Island Organising Committee, in case you're getting confused...) decided however to proceed. And an astute decision it was too, allowing a good two hours of great fun and competition to take place before further, heavier rain forced an early end to the day's packed programme.

It was encouraging to see a goodly number of the crowd also participate in the various competitions. Participants ranged in age from those needing taught the rudiments of the "egg and spoon" to those who, well, retired recently , but who still managed to throw the hammer further than all the other competitors put together... :

 

Perhaps the one event which caused the most fun and hilarity was the "pillow fight", competitors hardly falling to the floor before another aspirant climbed on to the pole in search of glory. There was fun and hilarity in other, more serious events too, such as the "long jump". Our photograph here shows one "long jump" competitor, who wishes not to be named, who made a splendid effort at the "long" bit, but had a bit of a mental block when it came to the important "jump" bit... :

 

Competition was however fierce, and understandably so, with such a glittering array of silverware for the winners and the eyes of the world's media upon them (well, The Corncrake is read all over the world...). Organisers and officials had to be on their guard, and whilst the Royal Mail enjoyed the free publicity inherent in the "sack race" they were less happy with the holes cut in the bottom of some sacks, causing the video referees to pore long and hard over the resultant "footage"... :

 

Mo Middleton had travelled to Colonsay specifically for the event and it soon became obvious that he had been following a strict training regime for many months, perhaps indeed since the last time the Sports were held, as he, in the process of becoming the Overall Winner of Colonsay Sports Day 2005, waltzed off ( or was that at the evening's ceilidh...?) with the MacBraynes Cup, the George Ward Trophy and the Murray Dobson Quaich. I suppose someone has actually checked that he is strictly an amateur...

Here we see Mo winning the "long jump", but Steven MacAllister, if not his father, at least gave him a run for his money :

 

Other trophy winners included :

The Corncrake had even donated a trophy, for the "tug-of-war", but rain prevented this event from taking place. And so, it now sits gleaming in Corncrake Towers, where it will reside for a year, allowing admiring glances and Editorial dreams of mud and sweat splattered glory...

It must be said that it was a great pity that the weather was so unkind on the day; one week later and the same scene was a vision of sunshine and warmth :

Perhaps next year, (yes, Sheena and Mel's efforts have ensured that "The Sports" is again an annual event!), we would do well to avoid "Glasgow Fair" fortnight, which has given rise to the term "Fair weather", meaning something altogether different to that of the normal conjunction of these words.

Well done, girls, and of course to all who contributed to a great day and the successful resurrection of a Colonsay institution.

NB : Also Editorial thanks to regular visitor Paul Trodden for some of the above snaps.

CALMAC

The long running saga of whether or not CalMac's "lifeline" ferry services to the islands have to be put out to tender moved closer to a conclusion on the 18th of July. The vice-president of the European Commission, Jacques Barrot, stated that changes to existing ferry arrangements had to be put in place urgently to make the situation compatible with Community law, which requires public service contracts be awarded through open, fair and non-discriminatory procedures. He added that he saw no alternative to tendering.

Tavish Scott, Holyrood's new transport minister, had hoped to persuade the Commission to make an exception of the "lifeline" services to the islands and allow them to remain as a single block run by CalMac, which is a state-subsidised company. But Mr Barrot made it clear that Europe expects the Scottish Executive to put the routes out to tender, or risk breaching European law.

That decision represents a major setback for the Executive and puts Mr Scott and his fellow ministers in a difficult position. They are now caught in a battle between the Scottish Parliament, which voted in December against putting the routes out to tender, and the Commission, which is adamant that EU rules will be broken if the routes are not opened up to competition.

If the Executive fails to persuade Parliament to back the tendering plans, it would risk a major and damaging battle with the Commission and could be forced to tender the routes individually. Ministers had been given the concession from the EU that they could tender the Hebridean routes as one block, to prevent companies cherry-picking the profitable routes and abandoning the loss-making ones. But they may lose this concession if they continue to fight the EU, and the Commission may order them to tender the routes individually - which could signal the start of serious problems for the islands.

It is understood that Mr Scott told Mr Barrot that he would not be able to give a decision on the tendering until he had consulted with Parliament and, because of the summer recess, this will not happen until September.

It is going to be a very interesting few weeks.

POETRY CORNER

The Corncrake is again indebted to Georgina Hobhouse, on this occasion for bringing to our attention a wonderful, new anthology of poetry by the name of "100 Island Poems". And it does exactly what it says on the tin, sorry, cover, and provides one hundred poems written entirely about Life (yes, with a capital "L"), on an island.

Poets featured include many Editorial favourites, including the insurpassable and incomparable Norman MacCaig, George Mackay Brown, Seamus Heaney, Iain Crichton Smith, Sorley Maclean and John Betjeman.

Lurking in there however, and rubbing shoulders with these giants of literature, is Colonsay's own Donald "Garvard" MacNeill, father of course to Kate and "Pedie", both still very much a part of the fabric of Colonsay life. And, echoing the sentiments of Georgina, he BELONGS there, particularly in his native Gaelic tongue (although the poem appears in English in the book). The poetry within the book is stunningly good, but "D.A." more than merits the ostensibly priveleged position of being quoted alongside these illustrious names.

This of course gives us a perfect excuse to quote Donald's poem, "AN T_IASGAIR (Togail nan Cliabh) in full and in its original Gaelic. The translation into Am Beurla or, "the English", by Alastair Scouller, which was first published in Lochar's collection of his poetry " Moch is Anmoch" in 1998, can be found within the Magazine section of this Issue.

"100 Island Poems" is edited by James Knox Whittet from Islay, which perhaps explains the strong coverage given within its pages to that island. It is available from Colonsay Bookshop, as is "Moch is Anmoch".

CREATIVE ISLANDERS CONFERENCE

Under the auspices of HI~Arts, there is to be "Còmhradh na h-Eileanaich Ealanta", a gathering of creative islanders, on Easdale on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th August 2005.

The gathering begins in The Puffer Bar, Easdale on the Friday at 8.30pm. The main conference takes place in Easdale Island Hall on the Saturday from 10am to 4.00pm. The purpose of this gathering is to develop the themes first discussed in "Na h-Eileanaich Ealanta", published online in March 2003, and developed on Skye in September 2004. Both reports can be downloaded at :

http://www.hi-arts.co.uk/Na hEileanaich Ealanta Creative Islanders.htm

In summer 2002, Deirdre MacMahon interviewed 54 Hebridean islanders to talk about islanders' sense of culture and identity. The resultant report has been praised for its advocacy of greater support for island initiatives. In September 2004 the first Còmhradh na h-Eileanaich Ealanta/Creative Islanders Conference brought contributors together on Skye to socialise, share concerns and seek solutions. This year the focus moves to the islands of Argyll, which are of course spread over a huge geographical area and host a vast range of arts activities year-round.

Since the initial study took place, cultural activity in all the Hebridean islands has been steadily growing. Improved infrastructure to the north has facilitated development and cohesion in the Outer Isles and on Skye. Yet communication between island arts activists continues to be fragile and many creative possibilities remain unexplored throughout the Hebridean archipelago.

Creative Islanders/na h-Eileanaich Ealanta exists to encourage these possibilities. By comparing and contrasting cultural practices and creative problem solving, this project offers the opportunity to build a Hebridean cultural network. Recommendations are welcomed by HIE and HI~Arts as meaningful ways that these agencies can support Hebridean cultural life. The Conference offers a solid opportunity to create an informal islands network, designed to nurture the spirit of co-operation that is the hallmark of Hebridean cultural life.

Places at the conference, which are free, are limited to 40. HI~Arts will make every effort to ensure fair representation of all the islands involved in the initial study. So, if you are interested, contact HI~Arts as soon as possible. Limited accommodation is available.

NATURE NOTES

In our previous Issue, we asked Readers if they wished to see a "Nature Notes" feature within the pages of The Corncrake.

Well the feedback has been fairly positive, but contributions from Readers are essential to the ultimate success of such a feature. We would therefore ask again for any contributions that Readers might be in a position to make.

Contributions have however already been received and Editorial thanks go to Maurice Rogers and to Julia Page. These will feature within the pages of The Corncrake in the near future, or as soon as the hectic round of parties, beach picnics, ceilidhs and other Editorial diversions begins to wane...

In the meantime, here is a stunning photograph kindly sent to us by David Ross of Midlothian. David recently took the photograph above Loch Fada, and it is of a Golden Ringed Dragonfly devouring a bee which it had just caught for it's lunch :

Could this be why Andrew's stocks of honey are running so low?

NOW WHERE COULD THAT BE?

In Issue 119, regular visitor and Corncrake reader Hugh Barton was the provider of the "where?" photograph, one of a set of moss-covered steps :

Well it has to be said that the location of the mossy steps did not prove to be a mystery to many Readers, and many thanks to all who were in touch with Corncrake Towers with the correct location. The steps are of course to be found on the woodland walk behind Colonsay House, round the corner from the bridge on the main path heading to the Colonsay House/Avenue Cottage "junction".

With that "mystery" solved, we can return to the most mysterious of our location/object queries, one involving a stone with a metal bar inserted in it :

Well, at long last the location of the stone has been resolved, with two residents, MaryAnn and Kevin, both being in touch with the correct information. And the location? Well, the stone is to be found at the bottom of the "drive" up to Maggie Thomson's Cottage. Have a look next time you're passing :

The exact purpose of the stone was however still a matter of dubiety, although it can be stated that the stone was used by the adjoining Smiddy. MaryAnn believes that the stone was used to tether horses when the blacksmith was changing the horseshoes. On the other hand, Kevin advises us that many years ago when he first made enquiries about the stone, he was told that it was used as a brace whilst steaming replacement shafts for wagons and carts. And finally, just before we went to press, Donald "Gibbie" advised that the stone was used for bending metal, mainly rims for cartwheels. These would then be placed round the cartwheels and dowsed in cold water to shrink the metal to fit.

So, at last, we can move onto another "mystery" to "solve". Just where on Colonsay would you be if you came upon this object? And again, what was it's original purpose? :

Entries as usual to : editorcorncrake@yahoo.co.uk ; by telephone : 01951 200336 ; or by post to : The Editorial Suite, The Corncrake, Corncrake Towers, Scalasaig, Isle of Colonsay, Argyll, PA61 7YW, Scotland. Timewasters welcome.

LOOK BACK IN ALBUM

Our "Look Back" photograph from Issue 119, one from Ivor Brown of a Colonsay "shoot" at the back of the Hotel (in the late 1950's, we think) certainly caused a lot of scratching of heads.

Even now, after many, many debates, (some of them quite heated!) there still exists some dubiety as to the identities of those in the photograph. And, just as we went to press, an e.mail was received from Angus McFadyen, quoting names not previously suggested. So, closing the debate for a moment to allow us to go to press, here then is the list of where we are at the moment, but if you disagree, please get in touch :

The three figures standing at the back : Freddie Titterton, Angus Clark and Alasdair Darroch.

Next Row (left to right) : Roger "Machrins", John Clark, Alastair "Machrins", Donald Brown, Alastair "Annie" and finally, a former (un-named) factor.

Next Row : Para Mór, "D.A." MacNeill, Archie MacConnell, Bertie Isherwood, and Angus McFadyen.

Next Row : Neil Darroch, Finlay McFadyen, "A.S." McNeill, Calum "Coll", Dugie McGilivray, Bella "Peter" and finally Walter Williams.

The two figures in the next "row" : Niall Brown and Marie Paton.

The three figures at the front : Ivor Brown, Hugh Brown and Para "Clock".

No doubt that won't be the last we see of that photograph, but pressing on, we must now turn our attention to the new old photograph for Issue 120.

Corncrake Towers became aware of the existence of this photograph some time ago, but only now has it fallen into our clutches. Discretion dictates that the source, and the cost, of the photograph cannot be revealed, but we feel fairly certain that Readers (or at least those not featured in the photograph!) will find it well worth it... :

So, just who are these "Magnificent Seven", and why on earth are they holding photographs of scantily clad women? We must be told!

Oh, and for the more observant Reader, what exactly is wrong with the picture?

SNIPPETS

Well, the word on the street proved correct, and, as reported in Issue 119, Eleanor did indeed arrive home from hospital on the 16th.

After a few quiet days re-adjusting to being home (and re-arranging the furniture, if The Corncrake's moles are accurate...), Eleanor has been spotted at the Shop, sunning herself in the garden, and she even made it to The Pantry on Saturday last for the weekly meeting of the "WRI".

She continues to make slow, but steady, progress, and we hoped to bring you a photograph of the lady herself, but The Corncrake photographic desk always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. We also wanted to know if she really was missing the hospital food, but I think we can all guess the answer to that one...

Andrew and Esme left their Poll Gorm home a few weeks back to travel to Cambridge. And a journey of joy, and of pride, it was for them, as the purpose of their journey was to attend the graduation ceremony of their daughter, Sandy. And here she is in all her glory, the champagne obviously agreeing with her :

Sandy studied at Clare College for 4 years, the first two studying Land Economy, the latter two studying Law, before graduating with a B.A. (Hons) Law degree.

She is currently enjoying a well-earned rest at home, before commencing a Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in London in September. She then begins her career with law firm Nabarro Nathanson in 2006.

Well done Sandy!!

Wednesday the 27th saw the annual R.N.L.I. fundraiser in the pier shed. Four Islay women arrived on the morning ferry bearing assorted R.N.L.I. merchandise, and the Colonsay stands were manned by Netta Titterton, Diane Clark and Carol MacNeill. A number of Colonsay households had baked specially for the occasion and Charlie McKinnon donated a splendid cake for a "Guess The Weight" competition, and this was duly won by one of the Islay volunteers :

 

A successful day ensued, bathed in warm sunshine, and around £300 was raised for R.N.L.I. funds.

A big "well done!" is due to all concerned.

On the evening of the 26th, Mel Pocklington and her husband Bob repaired to "The Colonsay" for a quiet meal to celebrate Mel's "very special" birthday.

The meal over, they strolled over to the Bar for a wee nightcap. It was then Mel received one almighty surprise, for, unbeknown to her, a large group of friends had gathered, having first festooned the Bar with balloons and other festive fare. The obligatory "Happy Birthday To You" over, an evening of great mirth, jollity and songs ensued, ensuring Mel would not ever forget that "very special" birthday :

 

What with the barbaric terrorism in London recently, everyone is now more on their guard, even on Colonsay.

Thus the other day, lurking in some bushes in the vain hope of a scoop, your Editor espied a very suspicious-looking character indeed, and what's more, he had on his back a suspicious looking rucksack from which emanated even more suspicious sounds.

Ever keen to do his civic duty, your Editor lurched out from the bushes, hoping to get a photograph of this miscreant. The noise this made alerted the suspicious character and he turned round, startled but aware that his fiendish plot had probably now been foiled.

His turning round gave your Editor the perfect opportunity to get a great "mug" shot, as we say in the trade. In an instant, the camera shutter closed and captured for posterity the face of this fiend :

But when your Editor took his eye off the eyepiece of the camera, his jaw dropped to the ground in disappointment. This was no terrorist, it was John Leahy out for a stroll. But what about the suspicious-soundung rucksack, I hear you ask? Well, it was only John on one of his regular visits to the bottle-bank...

Calling Evelyn McFarland!!

We are hoping Evelyn reads The Corncrake, for we are anxious to contact her. At least, that is, the Evelyn McFarland who attended the recent Colonsay Sports Day.

For, if you are reading this Evelyn, we are pleased to convey the news that you won TWO of the four available stall-based competition prizes!

To claim your prizes Evelyn, please call Keith at the Post Office on 01951 200323, Mel on 253 or Sheena on 104. And with a success rate like that, don't be surprised if you are barred from next year's competitions!

The ceilidh season is now in full swing, with three ceilidhs being held since our last Issue. And this coming week, we have TWO ceilidhs! On Thursday 4th August there is the annual Visitors' Ceilidh with The Gun Club Ceilidh following hot on its heels on the Saturday night. Definitely a test of the stamina!

That said, often the best part of a ceilidh evening is when the formal ceilidh winds down and the Après-Ceilidh kicks into life. This has certainly been the pattern of recent ceilidhean, and Saturday 30th July was no exception :

 

Every Tuesday evening at the same appointed time, there is a test of the alarm bleepers belonging to the members of our island Fire and Rescue Service.

And so, on Tuesday last when the bleepers went off again within minutes of the test bleep, a number of the crew naturally thought it was simply a further test, or a fault, and ignored the bleep. But it was a genuine alarm!!

However, a depleted squad was at that moment not the main concern flowing through the mind of Senior Fireman Ross Moodie. Ross had another problem; the fire tender had broken down the previous day, and a replacement would not arrive until the following day's ferry!

So, what did our Ross do with a minimum of manpower and no fire tender and a fire to be dealt with? Well, a pick-up was purloined and loaded with as much fire-fighting gear as it could carry, with the pump being towed behind. The depleted, but intrepid squad then set out to tackle the blaze.

Fortunately, the blaze was not a life-threatening one, one of the rubbish bins at Machrins having been set alight by the dumping of an instant barbecue which had not been extinguished. Our boys soon had the situation under control, although the Council will perhaps need to replace the recepticle :

Aye, contingency management is alive and well and thriving on Colonsay!

CAPTION COMPETITION

The photograph in the last Issue of "Old Roger" and his dog in the bar of The Colonsay Hotel (as it was ar that time) produced many splendid entries. Honorable mentions however go this time around to Sue Taylor and Elaine Graham whilst the winning entry came from our very own Caitlin McNeill :

Caitlin, who embarks on a new educational adventure at Oban High School next month, then provided us with a photograph for this Issue's competition.

It is one of Caitlin herself, getting up to goodness knows what with her brother Liam :

Entries as usual to : editorcorncrake@yahoo.co.uk ; by telephone : 01951 200336 ; or by post to : A.N.Other, The Corncrake Caption Competition (Issue 120), c/o The Editorial Suite, The Corncrake, Corncrake Towers, Scalasaig, Isle of Colonsay, Argyll, PA61 7YW, Scotland. Calls will of course be charged at premium rates.

WHAT'S ON IN COLONSAY

Please note that there is also a Notice Board on the Homepage; anyone wishing to publicise any event or attraction is invited to send details to the Editor.

TOPICAL LETTERS

Instructions are supplied, but two hints may help:
1. When using phrases, enclose them in quotation marks. For example, [lifting stone] will get you every instance of [lifting] or [stone] but ["lifting stone"] will get you what you want.
2. When you see the results, they may seem unlikely. This is because many documents (e.g. each issue of The Corncrake) are in reality just one single "page", covering many unrelated topics. No problem! Open the page, then go to the "Find (on this page)" option at the top of your screen, on a drop-down menu presented by the second button from the left. Type in the word you seek and hey-presto, it is highlighted for you. Note that you must give the page time to load (an issue of The Corncrake takes up to a minute), also that there may be more than one example on the page, so use the "Find (on this page)" function again to check that you have not missed anything.