ISLAND NEWS

It does, on reflection, appear to have been quite busy in the 12 months since the Coll magazine was last published...

Arinagour Fire Station

The new Fire Station in the village was given an official seal of approval in a formal opening ceremony on June 24th. A number of dignitaries were flown in from the mainland by helicopter, much to the excitement of those in the village at the time as the helicopters can land in the hotel car park.

The proceedings were opened by Councillor Bruce Robertson of Strathclyde Fire Board and the assembled guests included Councillor Joseph Shaw, Convenor to Strathclyde Fire Board; Firemaster John Jameson; Assistant Firemaster John Martin; Senior Divisional Officer Phil Robinson and Reverend R Symington.

Firemaster John Jameson spoke of the 'milestone of achievement' that the new station represents, reflecting on the previously poor level of fire cover on the island where a house fire is every bit as dangerous as one in a town or a city. The commitment of Strathclyde Fire Board to improving conditions can now be seen with the provision of a new building; a modern fire appliance and new breathing apparatus equipment.

Training for the local fire-fighting unit has increased accordingly and certificates in Breathing Apparatus Training and Driver Training were awarded to individual members of the unit. Volunteer firefighters on Coll are Kevin Oliphant ( Leader), John Fras er (Deputy), Allan Brodie, Neil Galbraith, Neil Morrison, Charlie Self, Patrick Rutherford, Hamish MacRae, Ian Cochrane and Lauchie Maclean Bristol.

New Sewage System

The installation of the £45,000 sewage system for Arinagour was completed after many weeks of disruption in the village. An enormous septic tank was sunk into a hole by the Middle Pier - a hole which took weeks to dig...

Pier Repairs

The dilapidated and dangerous condition of the Old Pier in the village led to an outstanding community effort to renovate and repair it. In an initiative led by Coll Community Council, a team of local men was mustered and time and effort was given voluntarily. Earlier in the year, public awareness of the danger the pier posed to users was described as an 'accident waiting to happen' and an extraordinary meeting of the Community Council had highlighted the need for emergency repair work. A tractor and trailer was given for use by Brian Maclntyre; a JCB, skilled operator, tractor and trailer were provided by Hamish MacRae and Allan Brodie's tractor and trailer was used for the haulage of gravel. Sustenance for hungry labourers was provided by Roy and Elaine Barrie of Taigh Solas Guest House, Arinagour.

The Fishing Competition 1997

The Old Pier was then used as the starting point for the Annual Fishing Competition after a short ceremony in which Captain Angus MacFarlane was invited to declare the Pier officially 'open'. It was a beautiful summers evening, with a high spring tide lapping at the edges of the newly renovated pier. As the sound of revving engines filled the air it was accompanied by cloud of toxic petrol fumes - a rare smell considering the unavailability of petrol on the island at the time.

A large number of boats set out for the customary two hours of fishing on the south side of the island and they all returned at 9.00pm, some with more fish than others.

The outright winner on this occasion was John Fraser (Skipper) in Storm Bringer with Charlie Self as mate and George Barrie (Visitor). Their total catch weighed 135lb. In second place was Allan MacFadyen (Skipper) with Andrew MacFadyen (Mate) and Ian MacFadyen (Visitor) with a total catch of 80lb. In third place was Young Robert Sturgeon (Skipper) with Ruth Sturgeon (Mate) and Laura Gloag (Visitor). The heaviest fish of the evening was caught by Ken Jones (1 lb 15oz); in second place was Young Robert Sturgeon (1lb 4oz) and third, Randy Anderson (1lb 3oz). Amongst the visitors, Laura Gloag caught the biggest fish (1 lb 6oz) and Irene Grey the second heaviest (1 lb). Fishing off the pier Emily Taylor caught the biggest fish in the 11-15 age category (1lb 7oz) and for the children under 11 years, Jamie and Ross Henderson managed to catch two tiddlers at 2oz each.

Petrol Supplies

Coll Community Fuel Supplies Ltd was pleased to be able to restore petrol to the islands fuel pump after almost a year of uncertainty surrounding the continued supply of petrol and diesel to the island.

The Fuel Supply Company was formed in December 1996 when it became apparent that the sale and supply of petrol and diesel was no longer going to be handled by a private business, largely because it was uneconomic for a private business to continue this operation. To avert the crisis of an island without a fuel supply the people of Coll have had to take matters into their own hands. Many people have worked long and hard behind the scenes for some time now, first of all to establish the island based company with a remit to construct, own, manage and operate a community filling station and secondly to set these aims in motion.

The present situation is that petrol and diesel are being dispensed from the site formerly owned by Island Stores. However, this site still requires to be upgraded and funds are currently being sought to this end. Grants from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and from Argyll and Bute Council cover the bulk of the redevelopment costs. A total of £6000 needs to be raised on the island and to date just over £5000 has been raised locally through the sale of company shares both on and off the island and through fund raising events.

A Summers' Golfing

This season all four tournaments enjoyed excellent weather and were all well attended. The first trophy of the season, the Members Cup, went to Ian Moore with Andrew MacFadyen in second place. David Moore Junior won the MacRae Cup for best scratch. Runner up in the Ladies Competition was Marion Graham and first place went to Cath Stevenson.

The second trophy of the season, the Coll Golf Open for the Thorburn Memorial Cup went to Colin MacKinnon. Colin, having travelled from Glasgow, played his best ever golf to win. Second place went to Dave Allan and Ian Moore.

The Moore Shield went to David Moore Junior for the best scratch score with Mel Ross in second place. The Ladies Cup went to Cath Stevenson with Marion Graham in second place and the plate for the best Junior to Derek Griffiths.

The third trophy of the year went to Ian Moore who won the Vita Stableford Shield having beaten Andrew Greaves in a play off. The Ladies trophy went to Cath Stevenson with Rosemary Griffiths being runner up.

The final trophy of the season, The Neil Campbell Memorial Quaich, was a team match. The teams were drawn from hats just before tee off. This competition is affectionately known as the Campbell Scramble. This year 8 teams of 4 took part and with an excellent score of 63 (lower par) the Quaich goes to Crawford Stephenson (Capt), Brian Maclntyre, Sadie Moore and Graham Griffiths. The island has its first ever combine harvester. Bought by Brian Maclntyre of Arileod, the machine is nearly thirty years old and could be seen working in the fields in the west end last summer

Surgery Opening

Duncan Galbraith, the Director of Primary Care Development for Argyll and Clyde Health Board, flew across to the island in October to open the new Doctors' Surgery. At an opening ceremony attended by many islanders, a plaque was unveiled to commemorate the occasion.

It is the first time that Coll has enjoyed purpose-built surgery premises. The new building, which is light and spacious, was constructed by Joe Black Builders of Oban and was designed with the needs of the islanders in mind. Monthly health awareness clinics are just one of a number of innovations in medical services offered to islanders introduced this year by Dr George Carle. 

Coll Conservation and Wildlife Management Group.

Island farmers have joined forces to form the Coll Conservation and Wildlife Management Group. This group provides a forum to discuss and take co-operative action on a range of local management issues that affect all of the farms. The first major issue to be tackled is the rabbit problem.

Rabbits are not native to Coll. They were introduced in the 1770's and have found the dunes and the machair much to their liking. A book from the 1930s notes that 'the Coll machairs seeth with rabbits', and the rabbit trappers did good business.

Myxamatosis knocked the population back in the late 1950s when 99.9% of infected rabbits died. Steadily they have become immune to the disease and numbers have risen sharply. Throughout the UK the burgeoning rabbit population causes tens of millions of pounds of damage  each year, and on Coll the estimated 100,000 plus rabbits not only eat the grass crop but are also causing major changes to the dunes and machair where they burrow. These dunes are internationally important for their botanical diversity - hence their designation as 'sites of special scientific interest' (SSSIs) and recently the top areas of Caolas, Crossapol and Totronald have achieved the accolade of top European sites, 'Special Areas of Conservation'. (SACs).
So the farmers and conservationists, with yet another common interest, are working together to try to control the rabbit population.

With time, as the farming and conservation agendas converge, it is likely that the Coll Conservation and Wildlife Management Group will play a pivotal role in helping to shape the policies that will affect the environment of Coll.

Coll Blazes Trail

Islanders on Coll showed great solidarity with the rest of the nation when they struggled to a very exposed hilltop above the village of Arinagour on Thursday March 26th.

The Coll Beacon, part of the National Countryside Initiative to highlight the deep concern at the Government's lack of understanding of rural issues was lit by Captain Angus MacFarlane and although no other beacons were spotted elsewhere, the Coll fire could be seen blazing on the skyline.

Gale force winds with strong gusts made standing difficult, but this did not deter young families from participating.

In a rallying speech Hamish MacRae highlighted the particular concerns for hill farming on Coll where beef production has been hit badly, as elsewhere, by the BSE crisis and the strength of the pound.

A special mention must go to Hamish MacRae for his enthusiastic organisation of the event, to Lavinia Bristol and Jo Davies and to Julie Oliphant of the Coll Hotel for the provision of punch and hot dogs.

The Christmas Pantomime

The Coll players this year gave a splendid performance of Cinderella under the directorial guidance of Julianna Nicholls, Lavinia Bristol, once again narrator - a part which she has fulfilled for many years - provided musical accompaniment on the keyboard. Cinderella, played by Frances Wright, was emphatically bullied and overworked by her larger-than -life and hugely overworked 'ugly sisters': Revolta (Ron Davies) and Pneumonia (Peter Smalley) - a unique double act which the Coll Community was honoured to witness.

Ever constant friend to poor Cinders, Buttons, was endearingly played by Brian Maclntyre Junior, his first appearance as a pantomime star. Jo Davies was powerful and glittering a s the Fairy Godmother. Baron Hardup was played by John Porrelli), not quite as meek and submissive as he should have been alongside the formidable Baroness Hardup (Lauchie Neil Bristol).

Alongside this motley crew, the elegance of the Prince (Beth Hazell) was indisputable. Deborah Alexander made a fine courtier with Honey Smalley and Ali Anderson as the bumbling Coll Ceilidh Catering Crew.

With all the usual jokes about ferry services and fuel supplies the actors all acquitted themselves well. A special mention goes to the backstage crew (Roy Barrie and Allan MacKechnie) and to Pamela Garnett, whose help in costume creation was invaluable. Also to the painters of the scenery: Val Smith, Tammie Rutherford, Karlijn Dickison and Kip Poulson and to Craigard Paintshop of Oban, who supplied the paint.

Easter Concert

A successful Easter Concert once again proved that a small community is no barrier to the presence of dramatic and musical talent: as many as forty people appeared on stage in Arinagour Village Hall to contribute to the fund raising effort for Arinagour Primary School and the school trip fund.

Opening with a 'Bird Selection' and 'MacDonald of the Isles' were the island based group, the Malin Band, comprising Ron Davis on drums, Lavinia Bristol on the keyboard, Julianna Nicholls on the fiddle, Patrick Rutherford on guitar and Tammie Rutherford on the flute. A keyboard tune, 'Going East Blues' by 11 year old Indi Carnie, followed. Next to take the

Following the interval the curtains opened to an American theme. Wearing cowboy hats the children danced the Virginia Reel. John Porrelli, accompanied by Ron Thewlis and Julianna Nicholls sang about 'the Little Log cabin in the Sky' and the Chameleons played another set of tunes. The children of Arinagour Primary School sang a number of entertaining songs. The evening ended with a grand finale: a cowboy medley, 'Oklahoma'.stage, singing popular Scottish favourites, 'Wild Mountain Thyme' and 'Ye Jacobites by Name' was Tommie McKinley accompanied by Ron Davies on the harmonica and the bodhran.

Then, in a complete change of tempo, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter - those childhood favourites created by Beatrix Potter, hopped onto the stage. The sorry tale of Peter Rabbit was enacted by John Porrelli (Peter), Jo Davies (Mrs Rabbit), Flopsy (Pam Garnet), Mopsy (Ruth Sturgeon), Cottontail (Barbara Jones) and Mr MacGregor (Robert Sturgeon) with a musical narrative by Julianna Nicholls accompanied by Ron Thewlis on keyboard.

Allan McKechnie and Patrick Rutherford were next with a guitar instrumental followed by a recitation, 'Old Sam', by Peter Smalley. A flute quartet (Tammie Rutherford, Fiona Carnie, Beth Hazell and Frances Wright) played 'The Parade o f the Wooden Soldiers' and 'Jessel and Tambourin' by Gossec.

John Porrelli was next with an entertaining Tom Lehrer song, 'Rickety Tickety Tin' before a trio of ladies clad in their nightclothes (Ruth Sturgeon, Pam Garnett and Frances Wright) brought a touch of mad hilarity to the evening with a teeth-cleaning mime. Tunes from the Chameleons (Julianna Nicholls accompanied by visitors Ron and Jean Thewlis, Paul and Linda) gave a profeesional edge to the proceedings with 'Nellie Inksters Peedie Polka' and 'Kilt and Plaid'.

The Highland dancing by the children was a credit to the tireless work of Chrissie MacKinnon and Fay Anderson. The Haymakers Jig was followed by The Highland Fling (Helena Porrelli, Laura Anderson, Indi Camie, Saffi Carnie and Lawrie Neil Porrelli) and the Sword Dance (Indi Carnie, Helena Porreli and Laura Oliphant). Finally, Indi Carnie danced the Seinn Trubhos.

A total of £319 was raised towards the school trip funds and special thanks go not only to the performers but to Julianna Nicholls for her boundless energy and enthusiasm, to Peter Smalley for being an excellent MC and to Roy Barrie and Allan MacKechnie for technical help backstage.

Coll Information and News Sheet

A free news sheet is being distributed across the island at regular intervals by Martin Lunghi at the Business Centre. Designed to inform, stimulate and entertain it contains snippets of island news as well as notices of forthcoming events. If anyone would like to receive a copy of the current news sheet please send an SAE to Martin Lunghi at the Business Centre.

Coll People

A small notice in a national newspaper caught the attention of islanders a while ago - 'Bill rises to the top'. The news item reflects on how 'just as Scotland is about to get its own Parliament back, Westminster has chosen a Scot to be Clerk of the House of Commons'. The Scot in question is Bill MacKay, who built his own holiday house here on Coll twenty years ago with the help of his wife Margaret and his two daughters. Bill, who has previously contributed to the Coll Magazine, is now the most senior officer in the House of Commons.

There are more Coll connections as we hear that Stewart Kennedy, son of Ian and Gail Kennedy and a former pupil of Arinagour Primary School, has graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with an MSc in Construction Management, specialising in Facilities management with Distinction. He also received the MPM Adams Prize for the Best Overall Student in his year.

Jessica Bell is currently at SOS Maizelands Primary School in Zimbabwe, having successfully completed her fund raising for her year abroad with Project Trust. She and her partner are currently engaged in improving amenities at the school and she writes that 'Our library is still in the process of getting finished and we now have around 400 library books to cover... We have just finished planting a mixture of trees on the boundaries of our prospective playground in the hope that, in a few years time, they will provide adequate shade for the pupils during break and lunchtime'.

As has become usual, there are a number of new faces on the island this year. We welcome Sheila and Martin MacKinnon, the new owners of the Lodge and their many ponies who can now be seen in the fields adjacent to the Lodge. We also welcome, Julianna Nicholls, a familiar face to all of us and now living in the old school house above the village, commonly known as either the Hostel or the Herbals but now with its own distinctive name, Talla Lan. Lodge. We also welcome, Julianna Nicholls, a familiar face to all of us and now living in the old school house above the village, commonly known as either the Hostel or the Herbals but now with its own distinctive name, Talla Lan.

Welcome back to John and Margaret Wheeler James and also to Sandy and Margaret Munro and family. We hope that the Carnie family - Jamie, Fiona, Indie, Kir and Saffie - are enjoying their year spent on the island.