Tern TV was in Ardentinny on Saturday filming the ‘before’ shots for Beechgrove’s programme on Glenfinart Walled Garden. In the meantime, their landscape designer, Lynn Harris had taken away ‘the wish list’ for possible inclusion in the garden design.

Lynn and Beechgrove researcher, Stacey Shear, had earlier attended a meeting with Ardentinny Community Trust’s Walled Garden Committee in order to ascertain what they would like to have in the garden. Ideas gleaned from community consultations were passed on and the committee received the good news that Lynn intends to do a design for the whole garden, rather than just a part of it.

Due to tight financial and time constraints it will not be possible to put the complete design in place prior to broadcast. However, Lynn felt that by having ‘the whole picture’, this professional design plan could be presented to future potential funders in order to facilitate its eventual completion.

While Lynn and her team are working hard on our behalf, there is something she would like you to do. As it is a time for thinning out or discarding unwanted plants, she has asked that gardeners in Cowal give any excess plants to the project. No matter how insignificant you consider them to be, she promises that every single one will be used somewhere in the garden.

If you have unwanted plants to give or would like to volunteer in the garden, contact Ardentinny Community Trust (ACT) Convener, Bill Williamson on 01369 810238, or ACT secretary, Merle Ferguson 01369 810220 (In the case of adverse weather conditions, please phone either of these numbers to check that the garden is open). Alternatively, you can visit the garden between 10.00 and 16.00 hours on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays or contact the committee at info@glenfinartgarden.org.

The Beechgrove Garden team will be in Cowal to record the programme from 31 July – 2 August, 2013. 

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Sophie Thompson and her ‘Plumsden’ tree!

Glenfinart Walled Garden’s patron and friend, Sophie Thompson/Lumsden recently planted a plum tree in the garden’s fledgling orchard. She was also kind enough to share her thoughts on this special garden project:

The Glenfinart walled garden feels like it is reclaiming something so utterly nourishing for the local community, literally getting down to the roots of the enchanting place that is Ardentinny. 

The inclusive nature of a garden that embraces all ages, something organic that lies at the very heart of the village, that everyone can be a part of and benefit from, is the sort of thing that can lift a spirit and make a person want to burst in to song!

I spared Anna and Bill Williamson that as we went along on a bright day in February (Yes BRIGHT!) to plant a Plum tree. I just felt plugged in to something so special.

Visited said Plum with Mr Plumsden and the kids a few weeks later. It made us feel so honoured to be a wee part of such an awesome community endeavour.

An utterly fecund place for the roots of Ardentinny to be tended and flourish.

Sophie and her sister Emma Thompson are patrons of Glenfinart Walled Garden.

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Golden Cross lashed to SD Resourceful

On Wednesday afternoon vintage tug Golden Cross was towed out of the rocky inlet at Shepherds Point where she had drifted to the previous day. After being lashed to Serco tug SD Resourceful in the middle of Loch Long and accompanied by an MOD police boat and RIB police launch, the vessel continued to her original mooring off Ardentinny Hotel.

On examination of the mooring by the MOD crew, we understand that it was impossible to secure the Golden Cross, as the ‘t/bar’ on the buoy had been ripped off. The buoy will therefore need to be replaced.

HMRT Golden Cross was last night taken to a temporary mooring near to the mouth of Loch Goil.

Click image to enlarge.

Video footage to follow shortly.

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The post Damaged buoy scuppers tug mooring appeared first on ardentinny.org.

HMRT Golden Cross is tonight lodged on sand in an inlet near Shepherds Point, Ardentinny, Argyll. The 58 year-old vessel, which broke its mooring in high winds early this morning, drifted off a sandbank near Sandy Beach at high tide.  She is now in relatively calm waters along the rocky shoreline. At dusk tonight, MOD Police boarded the vessel and appear to have secured her to the shore, possibly to enable her to be pulled off at the next high tide. Also in attendance was SERCO tug SD Resourceful.

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The post Historic tug comes to rest in rocky inlet appeared first on ardentinny.org.

Video footage of the moored tug was captured by the LochLongCam.com webcam, as well as her drift across the bay (see below). This is the second time the tug has lost its mooring. In August last year, the Golden Cross broke free and drifted on to the same sandbank.

Golden Cross with HMS Pembroke in background

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Recently, Ardentinny saw the first of MSP, Mike Russell’s ‘Yes’ meetings, which he intends holding in village halls throughout his Argyll and Bute Constituency. Despite bad weather, there was a reasonable turnout and Mike began by saying why he would vote Yes for an independent Scotland in 2014.

He then invited questions on any aspect of independence that the audience wanted to ask or debate. The topics covered were as follows:

Q.  Can we afford to be independent?

A.  Other small countries such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland do very well with broadly the same population as Scotland but with considerably less natural resources.  Scotland is an immensely rich country with as much oil reserves as have already been extracted; it has significant expertise in renewable energies, such as wind and wave power; it also has a strong manufacturing industry and 5 world class universities. So it is hard to imagine that a country with such wealth and ability would be unable to be independent. As it is, Scotland contributes more in tax to the UK government than it gets back.

Q.  Can you tell us the exact amount of tax which Scotland puts in each year?

A.  Yes, I can send you the government’s expenditure and revenue analysis for the year which is produced by the UK government. In the run up to the referendum the Scottish government is going to publish a full balance sheet for Scotland. We more than pay our way. For example, the number of soldiers stationed in Scotland after the latest defence revue will be 4,000. Scotland contributes three and half billion to defence and we actually get back less than two million of that.

Q.  Is there an intention of telling Scotland, in general, how things are going to work? How can people make a decision when there are so many unknowns at the moment?

A.  That is the case in any election. We are and will be putting out as much information as possible up to the referendum but, at the end of the day, people will have to make a judgement on that and by looking at how it has worked for other people in other small countries.

Q.  How will taxation work? For example, if companies have employees in Scotland and England?

A.  That can be done in a similar way as when you have employees in any number of other countries but one of the big advantages of independence is that we can do things differently. The tax code at the moment is very complicated and, with independence, we can look at it and decide how things can be improved. That is the case with almost everything and this is a wonderful opportunity for us to improve things.

Q.  If we got independence, would we be penalized by England?

A.  The relationship will probably improve. There is a saying that England will lose a surly lodger and get a good neighbour but the most important thing about the Edinburgh agreement signed by Alex Salmond and David Cameron is that both agreed to respect the referendum decision.

Q.  If you get rid of Trident, what will happen to the people employed in Faslane, for example?

A.  From the SNP’s point of view, Faslane would become a Scottish naval base, though other parties ruling Scotland in the future might have different plans. We would also need to develop other opportunities for employment, such as development of the energy industries.

A point was also made from the floor that the Norwegian navy has 31 ships of varying sizes all made by themselves, so something similar could possibly provide another employment opportunity for workers in Faslane and Coulport.

Q.  What would be the immigration policy in Scotland?  At the moment it seems to be an open door regarding countries outside the EU.

A.  It is far from an open door and some of the current policies are damaging to Scotland. For example, postgraduate students coming to our universities do so from a worldwide market and you want to attract the very best. However, David Cameron’s policies are stopping the very best people coming to study here. Also they very often pay to do so and so bring additional revenue as well as expertise and make an enormous contribution to our country. There have to be controls but also sensible immigration policies which will benefit Scotland which, at the moment, are outside our control.

Q.  If we got a Yes vote next year, how long would it take before we were able to run the country?

A.  If the vote for independence is affirmative in the autumn of 2014, general elections will be held in Scotland in May 2016. The important thing is that we wouldn’t be the first to do this. Lots of people have done this before and there are lots of ways from which we can learn how best to do it.

Q.  To be a member of NATO, are you required to have a military of a certain size?

A  No. you are not. You are required to make a contribution. We would first want to have a military force to suit our own needs, e.g., to protect our borders with a naval & air force and a basic army for civil emergency, as well as defence. We would also want to develop our military for international peace keeping. The estimated cost of all of this would be between two and two and half billion pounds. We would give people the opportunity to either stay in the UK forces or to come in to the Scottish forces.

Q.  Will there be a hand over period for the military and will you buy brand new ships or buy cheaper from elsewhere?

A.  First of all there is the question of assets. 9.3% of the military’s assets belong to Scotland and so there will be a period of negotiation on this and other issues. Will we take 9.3% of the national debt? If we can’t get assets, perhaps we shouldn’t take debt. So negotiations need to take place which will be negotiations between equals as we are not dependent, either financially or otherwise, despite the widespread myth that we are.

Q.  So there will be a transition period?

A.  Yes, there will be a considerable transition period.

Q.  What will happen to the BBC? Some people are concerned that they might not be able to watch Emmerdale etc.

A.  With a satellite dish it is possible to watch almost anything from anywhere. Scotland will first focus on broadcasting more of what is happening here, which is not being done at present. There will also be the opportunity to buy in and, as Scotland has a lot of fine broadcasting talent, it will be possible to make programmes for the home market and to sell out.

Q.  What will you do about the NHS?

A.   What we are doing now, i.e., protecting it from the worst that is happening elsewhere. The NHS in Scotland is being organised in a much more patient-centred way and we hope to deliver continued satisfaction. However, it is important to differentiate between what one political party sees as the best for the country and what voting for independence gives you. The latter gives you the opportunity to choose your own government with full powers to run Scotland on your behalf.

Q.  What is your understanding of the situation regarding joining or re-joining the EU?

A.  We are European citizens and that can’t be taken away. After independence we need to negotiate the terms under which we, as an independent country become a member. We already fullfil all the criteria, e.g., member countries have to have a fair justice system a police force etc. and we have those things. There may be other things we would like and these have to be negotiated but noone has ever been thrown out of the EU, it is just a question of negotiating the terms under which we want to remain in it. If we are an independent member rather than as part of the UK, we will have a full say in things for Scotland which is a much better and stronger position than the one we are in at the moment.

If you missed this meeting and/or have any concerns or questions, you can visit http://www.yesscotland.net/ for further information or drop in to the ‘Yes centre’ in Argyll Street in Dunoon (formerly Bloomers) where members of the local Yes team, which includes Labour for Independence and The Green Party as well as the SNP, will make you welcome with a cup of tea and a friendly chat. 

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Beechgrove presentation in the village hall

Ardentinny residents and visitors warmly welcomed a team from Beechgrove Garden on Wednesday, 6 March. The Glenfinart Walled Garden’s application for inclusion in this year’s Beechgrove programming had been shortlisted and the programme’s producer, their garden designer and a researcher came along to give a small presentation on what could be expected, if our garden was selected, and to meet local people and visit the garden itself.

Garden designer Lynn Harris

Producer Gwyneth Hardy began by introducing her colleagues, Landscape Designer, Lynn Harris and Researcher, Stacey Shear. She then went on to explain what the Beechgrove Garden Community Garden initiative would bring to the Glenfinart Walled Garden project, should it be chosen as one of the three community gardens to be featured from a shortlist of 12.

This year, for the first time, Beechgrove will go out UK wide. There will be a Thursday night showing in Scotland only, to be repeated on Sunday afternoons in Scotland and broadcast to the rest of the UK. This should provide even greater exposure for the chosen projects and their locations.

Gwyneth explained that Beechgrove does not do all the work. Instead it acts as an enabler, a catalyst, providing projects with a kick start and a helping hand. The first of these is a deadline. Whatever the agreed plan, it will need to be completed by the end of July, August, or September, depending on which programme deadline is agreed for each garden.

The second, and probably the most important source of assistance, is the guidance and expertise of Beechgrove’s Landscape designer Lynn Harris. Rather than impose her ideas, she would work together with the community in drawing up a realistic plan for a particular phase of the garden, along with a planting plan and construction plan. She would also help in sourcing materials and would manage the project off-site with regular visits at crucial stages.

The Beechgrove Team visit the garden

Finally, in addition to completing a worthwhile gardening project for and by the community, the surrounding area would benefit enormously from having a whole programme focussing on its horticulture and beautiful gardens.
After questions, everyone visited the garden where they were able to chat about the project on site. Thereafter, it was back to the village hall, for tea and a mountain of home baking. While we’ve been told that the competition is fierce and the odds are 3:1, there is a group of very enthusiastic and optimistic folks in Cowal hopeful that Ardentinny’s Glenfinart Walled Garden will be one of the Beechgrove community gardens featured this year.

[Click images to enlarge]

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The post Ardentinny Community Council Minutes October 2012 appeared first on ardentinny.org.

Ardentinny Outdoor Centre

At a quiet Community Council meeting, with only three members of the public in attendance, Aidan Docherty, Head of Centre, announced that Actual Reality had bought the village outdoor centre from Argyll and Bute Council, with the deal apparently closing this Thursday, 7th February, 2013.

The purchase includes the slipway, the listed building ‘Old Ferry House’ at the slipway entrance, the outdoor centre itself, including the two ‘cottages’ together with the grounds which apparently extend to 6.714 acres (Title Disposition July 1968).

Aidan introduced Richard Miller, Actual Reality’s Finance Officer and invited any questions or expressions of concern regarding the negotiation and purchase of the centre either at the meeting or at any time in the future. He stressed the positive impact of this acquisition, highlighting the fact that the centre is approaching its 40th anniversary and that Actual Reality, which will soon become The Ardentinny Centre Trust, plans to continue and extend its work over many more years to come.

Another positive cited was that 30-32 jobs would be secure now that the company has the security of owning its premises and he stressed that his priority always has and always will be to recruit from the local community and that they also take positive steps to use local suppliers even when cheaper supplies may be available from elsewhere.

Councillor Marshall pointed out that the relationship between the centre and the community had contracted somewhat over the past 15 years but that this was probably due to the fact that there were very few young people currently living in the village. Richard Miller suggested that they should perhaps look at ways in which the older population could take advantage of the centre.

Old Ferry House from the slipway

While reaction to the news was generally positive, there were some expressions of concern.The first of which was regarding public access to and use of the slipway. Aidan assured those present that they had made an undertaking to the Council that nothing would change with regards to use of the slipway, with the proviso that anyone wishing to use it should liaise with them. He stressed that it was not only their wish but their duty, as an RYA Training Centre, to promote safe use of the sea.

Old Ferry House and slipway on Loch Long.

Cottage within the grounds

Ardentinny Centre entrance and cottage.

Councillor Bruce Marshall and others felt that while it was encouraging that Actual Reality had made that commitment regarding slipway use, there was still concern about the situation should it ever be sold on. Therefore, they were asked if it were possible to draw up some legal proviso whereby the slipway and Ferry House would return to the community, should Actual Reality cease or change its operations there. Richard Miller said that he could see  no problem in having some sort of restrictive covenant whereby, should Actual Reality become insolvent, the slipway would return to Ardentinny Community Council and he agreed to take this issue to their Board.

In a similar vein, Aidan said that local use of the centre grounds would also remain unchanged. For example, members of the community would still be welcome to walk around, with the understood proviso that, should the centre or any of its staff have any doubts about anyone on the premises, they would be approached and asked for clarification. This, he explained, fell under their duty of care to the children and other users of the centre.

Richard Miller explained that Argyll and Bute Council had had concerns about the inclusion of the two cottages in the sale which Actual Reality regard as necessary staff accommodation. Therefore, as a disincentive to the Trust selling them on as private houses, it had been agreed that the proceeds of any such sale would go back to Argyll and Bute Council. This prompted questioning as to where the proceeds would go from the sale of any of the rest of the centre property and the meeting was informed that it would be sold on the open market with proceeds going to the company. However, Richard Miller did stress that the company was in it for the long term.

Aidan concluded by saying that they would be having an Open Day for the Community and also a celebration for the Centre’s 40th anniversary where they hoped to invite as many as possible previous employees to attend. He also promised to keep the Community Council and the community informed of all progress with regards to the centre.

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