Ardentinny and COVID-19

Like many other communities country-wide, Ardentinny has risen to the challenge of this crisis with speed and alacrity. An online community forum was established mid-March with the intention of informing and supporting.

The Community Council called for volunteers to help with shopping, prescription delivery, dog walking, telephone support etc. for the vulnerable and self isolating and then circulated a list of same to every household. Both the forum and the volunteer effort are testimony to the spirit and generosity of the community.

The Walled Garden is closed indefinitely. The public toilets have been closed in accordance with an Argyll and Bute Council Directive.

After camper vans and visitors descended at the weekend, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, of which Ardentinny is a part, closed to visitors. Local Park representative, Bob Darracott, was active in liaising with The National Park and Forestry Land Scotland to ensure that this happened on the ground.

With confirmed cases of the virus now in Cowal it is imperative that everyone maintains the recommended precautionary measures.

Scottish Government Coronavirus Information

March 18, 2020February 28, 2026

Ardentinny Community Council Emergency Action Plan call for volunteers

Received from Ardentinny Community Council:

As you are no doubt aware the coronavirus outbreak is starting to affect everyone in the Ardentinny community council area with this in mind the community council is in the process of creating a plan within which those most at risk or those with symptoms who are self-isolating can get hold of basic provisions, prescriptions and be contacted on a daily basis to make sure everyone stays as health as possible and has at least one person they can contact in case they do need anything.

Prior to putting the plan in place the main requirement will be to get a centralised list of volunteers and a central coordinator who can control any funds they might have which volunteers and those in need can get access to.

This announcement is asking for volunteers. As convenor and not being in the main at risk category I am more than happy to act as coordinator for the group.

If you would like to volunteer please email me at ardentinnycc@gmail.com I will need the following details so I can put the master list together.

Details required:

Name:
Address:
Home phone number:
Mobile number:
Email Address:
Are you in an at-risk category
Are you already self-isolating
Times you are available
What you are willing to do (see note 1)

Note 1: what are you willing to do?

This needs to be fairly short however just because a person is self-isolating or at risk this does not discount them from becoming a volunteer they could simply volunteer to ring people at risk and stay in contact with others self-isolating this might be the case where some people don’t know many other people in the village.

If you are willing to drive and pick up supplies, then this should be noted.

if you have it skills and are willing to get older people or personal without it know how get on line then that could be noted and could be a big help early days

Please note that your contact details will be published on the hand delivered letter but not on Facebook or other websites were I will just publish your name, this may sound bad but we do still have to think about everyone’s data protection

An online Ardentinny Residents Forum has been created here. If you are not already a member, please consider joining. This will enable everyone to be kept up to date with developments and to interact online with others in the community.

March 4, 2020February 28, 2026

Does Ardentinny want more nuclear waste on its doorstep?

The UK government intends to increase the number of nuclear submarines on the Clyde; is currently building a nuclear support hub to centralise its radioactive waste handling facilities and radiochemistry laboratories at Faslane; and plans to undertake submarine maintenance work at Coulport resulting in an increase of waste discharges of up to 50%.

Consequently the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has applied to SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) for approval to dispose of radioactive waste streams that could be generated at Faslane and Coulport. This HMNB Clyde application is now out to public consultation which can be found here and closes on 13 March 2020. Alternatively, consultation responses can be made in writing to SEPA no later than 6 March 2020.

As the design of SEPA’s online consultation form precludes sight of following questions until the current question is answered, we provide all the questions below along with information you may wish to consider before making a response.It is estimated that HMNB Clyde is currently discharging 5,000,000 litres x 1,000Bq = 5 billion Bq of tritium annually into the Gare Loch. If the number of submarines doubles, as planned, future discharge is also expected to double resulting in a tritium discharge of 10 billion Bq per year. *

Dangers of tritium.

Tritium is a low energy beta emitter – its particles are unable to penetrate the skin. However, it can be a radiation hazard if inhaled, ingested via food or water, or absorbed through the skin. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tritium).

Therefore the proposed increases in tritium discharge pose increased radiation risks.

The plan to make Faslane the UK base for nuclear waste disposal will not only increase the quantity and concomitant risk of nuclear waste at Faslane but also on UK’s roads over which it is transported .

It is proposed to reduce the annual rolling limit by 50%

The occasional need to transport nuclear waste by road to Faslane from Coulport increases risk to the public.

The proposal is to agree suitable routes for liquid waste disposal from Coulport to Faslane or to dispose of it as a general effluent.

The proposals see some maintenance of nuclear submarines being carried out at Coulport situated opposite Ardentinny’s sandy beach where families play in and around Loch Long. There are also visiting children and adults from Ardentinny Outdoor Centre participating in water sports on the Loch. Any additional nuclear waste in Loch Long has the potential to impact these user groups along with the loch’s flora and fauna.

Remember that the consultation closes on 13 March, 2020.

* Risk of Radiation Working Group, Scottish CND.

Click here to respond to the SEPA Consultation.

Click here to write to SEPA to oppose radioactive waste disposal from HMNB Clyde.

January 20, 2020February 28, 2026

Another successful year for Ardentinny Community Trust

Ardentinny Community Trust (ACT) held its AGM on 7th January 2020 where it reported on another successful year. Trust Treasurer, Jean Urquhart presented end of year (2018-19) accounts which saw funds stand at £20,709.61, after having invested in an array of necessary fixtures and equipment. ACT Chair, Anna Williamson gave a report on the year’s activity.

In accordance with the Trust’s constitution, two committee members stood down and were subsequently proposed and seconded as continuing members. Following the AGM, Trust member and former founding Chair of the revised Trust, Dennis Gower, submitted his resignation. Dennis was the driving force behind the community consultation, consequent application to buy and successful purchase of Glenfinart Walled Garden, for which the Trust had been revived. He also steered it through pre-purchase fundraising; a Beechgrove Garden project; and continuing project consultations and further fundraising activities, not least winning the equivalent of the garden’s polytunnel at a Dragon’s Den event! It is therefore with regret but grateful thanks that the Trust accepts his resignation.

Current members are as follows:
Anna Williamson, Chair; Lynn Kerr, Secretary; Jean Urquhart, Treasurer and Bill Williamson, Ian Kerr and Jim Urquhart – members.

December 7, 2019February 28, 2026

Ardentinny’s craft showcase

Once again Ardentinny village hall showcased the best of local arts and crafts at its recent Winter Craft Fair. There was exquisitely turned wood; fine knits; delicate macrame; handcrafted jewellery; paintings and sculpture by local artists; handmade decorations and gifts together with vintage clothes and sumptuous home baking.

There was a novel snowball throwing game for the kids; tea and goodies for the seniors; and an array of luxury raffle prizes to tempt all.

[smartslider3 slider="2"]

OR

Inspiration, Achievement, Creativity, and Joy in Learning

Sue Garton, Flute Lessons, Flute Teacher Champaign-Urbana

Flute Choirs

Beginners Ages 7-9

Flute Clinics & Sectionals

Sue Garton, Flute Teacher

I’m Sue Garton, a flute teacher who loves teaching flute lessons and sharing the joys of making music, right here in Champaign-Urbana, in person and/or online. FluteKeys welcomes flutists and aspiring flute players from ages 7 through adult.

Whether you want to elevate your flute skills to the next level or you’ve never played flute before, I invite you to join me on your flute lessons journey.

Private flute lessons and ensembles at FluteKeys Studio are just the beginning of a series of motivating and enriching musical experiences. I’d love to meet you and discover your flute interests.

Welcome to FluteKeys Studio, where private flute lessons are just the beginning of a series of motivating and enriching musical experiences.

FluteKeys Studio is located at 1202 Devonshire Drive in Champaign, just a few minutes from the University of Illinois, Urbana and Savoy. Private flute lessons are offered to individuals by flute teacher Sue Garton. Students range from second grade through adult. A free trial flute lesson is encouraged, and parents are always welcome. Click here to read more about FluteKeys policies.

National Flute Conventions

As an active member of the National Flute Association (www.nfaonline.org) I attend their national conventions each August. Over the years I have met and heard several great flute musicians that I have mentioned during private and group sessions.

FluteKeys Resources

There are so many resources available, it is hard to keep track of them all. Here are a few categories that you may find helpful. If you know of a good resource that should be listed, please get in touch.

Useful articles on flute practicing, playing, and maintenance
Flute Playing and Learning, including
- Tools and Techniques
- Fingering Chart & Flute Mechanics
- Well-Known Flute Players & Instructors
Summer Music Camps
Tips on buying a flute, related articles, some well-known flute sellers

Upcoming Releases

Resident composer & arranger Roland Garton occasionnaly provides pre-publication samples of upcoming new releases.

Flight of the Wood Sprites. a spirited journey for flute quartet (four C flutes with two doubling on piccolo) and lightweight, affordable percussion (minimum two semi-skilled performers).”

Click here to play MP3 file, or right-click and select “Save Link As” to download

What do area band directors want?

What do band directors in the Champaign vicinity like to see in their flute students? Click here to find out what many area directors find most important in their flute students.

Category: Uncategorized