Ardentinny artist puts his stamp on historic referendum campaign

Local artist Bill Williamson

Accomplished ceramicist, community councillor and care worker, Bill Williamson wears many hats. A lifelong campaigner for the rights of others, Bill considers the Westminster system is broken. “Working three days a week as a carer, I have seen first hand the effects of the cuts that are being experienced by vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in Scotland.

With the UK government’s recent austerity measures, the Scottish Government has had to judicially juggle its overall budget in order to protect its spending on health. However, with more austerity measures promised by Westminster there is only so much Scotland can do and we need full control of Scotland’s finances if we are to properly care for our sick and disadvantaged”.

Bill has created a ceramic sculpture to commemorate the September 18 Referendum. “This Thursday we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to make things better for Scotland and its people. The Westminster politicians and the mainstream media have done their best to scaremonger and polarise the nation. They would have us believe that the vote is for an individual or a political party, this of course is nonsense.

For the first time in 300 years, we have the opportunity to take control of our own destiny and in 2 years’ time elect a government of our choice. I have no doubt we will have teething problems, however I feel sure that the grassroots groups this referendum has created will ensure our future politicians are kept firmly in line.

My referendum piece represents the four countries of the current UK. Independence will not just be a victory for Scotland, it will represent an opportunity for England, Wales and Northern Ireland to break away from the Westminster system”.

Bill Williamson with be participating in the Cowal Open Studios event from 26 – 29 September, 2014. More details here.

 

Walled Garden featured in Gardens Illustrated

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Glenfinart Walled Garden features in the current (August 2014) issue of Gardens Illustrated. The article entitled “The Fall & Rise of the Walled Kitchen Garden” focusses on how once magnificent walled gardens are now finding a new and productive lease of life.

The community enterprise aspect of the garden is highlighted in the the article. “..There is no more inspiring tale than Glenfinart, near loch Lomond, where a community has come together to secure a garden for its own use.

Abandoned in the 1920’s, and turned over to the Forestry Commission, a crumbling enclosure with a distinctive curved wall was more or less all that remained of the grand residence of the local Laird.

A band of volunteers is steadily creating a growing space, recreational garden and social hub for the folk of Ardentinny, who can also attend gardening classes”

Very well done to everyone involved in the project.

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Amy gets the weeds under control

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Young Amy Torbet was recently presented with a training certificate for her participation in the “Weeds and Weed Control” Masterclass at Glenfinart Walled Garden by resident gardener Glyn Toplis. Green-fingered Amy is the daughter of popular Dunoon Community Radio presenter Sarah Torbet visit to know about how does rci timeshare work

The next Masterclass topic is “Summer Flowering Plants” and takes place during the Volunteer, Training and Drop-in day at the garden on Saturday 14 June at 2pm. The garden will be open from 11am – 4pm. The Masterclasses are free visit sportakvimi.net.

Glenfinart Walled Garden is open every day of the week from noon until 4pm. Entry is free. For directions simply follow the green signs when entering Ardentinny.

Loch Long webcam catches runaway tug

As the tugboat Golden Cross remains stuck on an Ardentinny sandbank this morning, video has emerged of the vessel drifting from its mooring early on Monday morning. The clip from the LochLongCam.com webcam shows the vessel passing the beach opposite the Outdoor Centre at 5.41am.