It looks like fibre broadband is finally on its way to Ardentinny. This week, BT Openreach posted the following information on the village notice board:
KN Networks Services on behalf of Openreach will be carrying out works to facilitate the installation of superfast fibre broadband. These works will involve excavating for the installation of a street cabinet and associated underground ducts. We will endeavour to keep walkways and pavements accessible at all times and to ensure the area is safe. The expected duration of works will be approximately ten working days. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause. Work will commence week beginning 14/9/15 to 28/9/15 in telephone exchange.
The street cabinet at the Ardentinny exchange has already been installed (see photo). To check when fibre broadband will be available, see www.superfast-openreach.co.uk/where-and-when/.
Glenfinart Walled Garden held the first of this season’s Masterclasses today. Resident expert horticulturalist and gardener, Franziska Schmidt, ably took participants through the importance of good soil maintenance with natural fertilizers to ensure healthy crops; and the intricacies of identifying and preparing natural pesticides to keep plants as bug-free as possible.
There were lots of interesting questions, answers and general discussion over tea and around the garden and the group was unanimous in its appreciation of a most informative and motivating gardening masterclass.
The next one, entitled, ‘The Art of Making Soil, Composting Techniques’ will be held at the garden from 12-3 p.m. on the 18th October. Participation is free.
The following has been posted on Ardentinny’s Community Notice Board:
“The notices about refugees produced by a political activist group “38 degrees” have been removed by members of the Ardentinny Community Council. This noticeboard belongs to and is administered by the community council, which, by the definition of Argyll and Bute Council, has to remain non-political in order to serve the interests of the whole community. Ardentinny Community Council would, of course, welcome any refugees who choose to come and live in this beautiful village.
Saturday’s ‘Glasgow Sees Syria’ event in George Square.
Yesterday’s moving ‘Glasgow Sees Syria’ candlelight vigil was one of many similar events held throughout Europe this weekend and attended by thousands to show solidarity for the plight of Syria’s refugees.
Despite reluctance by David Cameron’s government to welcome those desperately fleeing war-torn Syria and other conflicts, the people of Scotland and the Scottish Government have been vocal in their support of helping these refugees. Argyll & Bute Council leader Dick Walsh this week also expressed the Council’s support by agreeing to take in at least 20 refugees.
In a powerful speech at the Glasgow event, Scottish Government Minister for Europe and International Development, Humza Yousaf, countered the vitriol and disinformation coming from the right wing mainstream media, that the refugees were coming to our shores simply to take advantage of the UK’s benefits system.
“If anyone thinks that people would travel across the Mediterranean and risk their children’s lives for 35 quid and a foodbank voucher timeshare cancellation company, forget living on another planet, you live in another universe and should be ashamed of yourselves”.
So how does the refugee crisis affect Argyll? Interestingly we could look at Germany. The country is welcoming some 800,000 refugees this year. Indeed, like Scotland and Argyll in particular, Germany has an ageing population and sees the refugees as a potential boon to its industry, commerce and public sector.
For example, a 2013 report states that there was a shortage of 2,600 general practitioners in Germany and rural areas were particularly affected. We have a similar situation in Argyll where we have seen surgeries amalgamating and, due to the shortage of full-time GP’s, an increased use of locums. The Royal College of GP’s recently reported that 500+ doctors would be needed in Scotland by 2020. 20% of the current GP workforce is over 55 and likely to retire in the next 5 years.
Refugees could indeed be the shot in the arm that Argyll needs while we could end their current suffering and provide hope for all our futures.
Recorded live coverage of the full event is available here.
Refugees fleeing the Syrian war zone are to be welcomed into Argyll and Bute with open arms.
In an announcement made today by Argyll and Bute Council, at least 20 refugees will be offered housing and support in the area, with the possibility of more in the future.
Council Leader, Councillor Dick Walsh, said: “We have a moral duty to help. We cannot sit back and do nothing while these poor people try desperately to escape war torn countries, risking their lives and their family’s lives in the process.
“If we can help just 20 people, then that’s 20 people who will have the opportunity of a better life.”
Councillor Walsh continued, “We will be working alongside our Community Planning Partners to discuss the best way to support them and to integrate them into our communities.
“The spirit of positivity – of moving forward together – is much, much more than a title or a theme. Here in Argyll and Bute it is, quite simply, how we think and what we do.”
