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

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.