Popup ‘SolidarityStudio’ promotes #RefugeesWelcome

IMG_0345As part of Amnesty International’s Refugees Welcome campaign, ardentinny.org created a popup ‘#SolidarityStudio’ at Saturday’s Glenfinart Walled Garden Harvest Fair.

In support of the #RefugeesWelcome message, a steady stream of visitors were photographed with a background of refugee images kindly provided by photographers @BartVanEijden and @Xandra_Photo. Each was presented with a complimentary souvenir print. The images were also shared to social media via Twitter and Facebook.

Visitors also generously donated to Amnesty International (£41.65) and Scottish charity Glasgow Asylum Destitution Action Network (GLADAN) (£41.81).

 

The following is a selection of the images. Click photo to enlarge.

[FinalTilesGallery id=’1′]

Community Council notice board ban on 38 Degrees refugee poster

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.

Ardentinny Community Council”

ref1The notice from Ardentinny notice board.

ref2The offending 38degrees poster.

Glenfinart Walled Garden hosts first wedding

Ardentinny’s historic Glenfinart Walled Garden last week marked a milestone as a wedding venue.

Clair Tierney and Derek Nelson chose to exchange their vows within the grade 2 listed walls of the century-old garden which was bought by the community of Ardentinny in 2012.

Set beside the only beach in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park with its Argyll forest backdrop, the garlanded entrance and flower-lined avenue surrounded by the orchard, sensory and children’s gardens provided the perfect setting for this special occasion with family and friends.

Click image to enlarge

 

 

Ardentinny D-Day Memorial plaque unveiled

The memorial plaque
The memorial plaque

On 6th June 2015 Tony Rodaway, nephew of D-Day veteran Billy Rodaway, travelled to the site of HMS Armadillo in Ardentinny to unveil a memorial plaque dedicated to Harry Smallman, Ken Oakley and all Royal Navy Commandos who participated in the planning and execution of the D-Day landings in 1944. The short ceremony and  memorial plaque also paid tribute to Seaman William (Billy) Rodaway and Bob Bull and the crew of HMS Prins Albert with whom they served. 

The plaque will be incorporated within the commando memorial cairn at Shepherd’s Point shortly.

Information on their outstanding service can be found here:

Royal Navy Commandos

Rodaways website

Ardentinny Community Council visits RNAD Coulport

It was reported at the December Ardentinny Community Council meeting that 4 members of the Community Council committee (CCc) visited RNAD Coulport at the invitation of the Ministry of Defence.

The Convenor reported that the meeting came about in recognition of the understanding between Coulport and Ardentinny over the past years and to discuss items of local concern which were outlined in Community Councillor, Dennis Gower’s list of questions submitted earlier in the year. She added that staff were very courteous and gave presentations on their role in Coulport and that the Ccc visitors were impressed with their knowledge and level of expertise and felt sure that they take their responsibilities extremely seriously. The Convener said the meeting had been very useful in further cementing the relationship between Coulport and Ardentinny.

There was one question from the floor regarding the levels of tritium gas emissions and the questioner was advised to either write to the MOD with his question or refer to the various reports and websites available online, the SEPA website being one example. It was stressed that it was not the place of the Community Council to give an opinion or take a political stance but simply to pass on the information given to them and that it was important to read newspaper reports with an intelligent mind.

Anyone with questions for the MOD regarding RNAD Coulport can write to : MoD Ministerial Correspondence Unit, 5th Floor, Zone A, Main Building, Whitehall, London SW1A 2HB or email  ParliBranch-Treat-Official@mod.uk. However they will not respond by email. Therefore a postal address will need to be provided if you wish to receive a reply.

Related links:

Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) Quarterly Site Report for HM Naval Base Clyde 1 Jan 2014 – 31 March 2014

Office for Nuclear Regulation: Quarterly Local Liaison Committee / Site Stakeholder group reports

Safety fears after nuclear bomb store avoids independent inspections

SEPA – HMNB Clyde