Uist Archives - Am Paipear

Isles presbyteries sign pioneering ‘Tarbert Declaration’

December 13, 2016

Two presbyteries of the Church of Scotland have come together to sign the ‘Tarbert Declaration’, a commitment to fellowship together, to work together and to share resources in areas of common interest.

For some time the Presbytery of Lewis (covering the Isle of Lewis) and the Presbytery of Uist (covering Harris, North Uist and Benbecula) have been discussing a closer association, and now the ‘Tarbert Declaration’ formalises a closer cooperation between the two presbyteries.

First introduced into the Church of Scotland in 1579, the concept of presbytery was then a forum for the spiritual development of its members, through reflection on God’s Word and fellowship.

Nowadays the presbytery is the governing body of ministers and elders, responsible for a number of congregations over a particular region. Altogether there are 45 presbyteries in the Church of Scotland, including the Presbytery of England and the Presbytery of Europe.

Recognising the tendency for modern presbyteries to become purely administrative agencies, the ‘Tarbert Declaration’ seeks to recover the idea of fellowship and spiritual nourishment while providing a mechanism for the Presbyteries of Lewis and Uist to share resources in the discharge of key functions such as the statutory appraisal of local congregations, safeguarding provision and Data Protection implementation.

Under the ‘Tarbert Declaration, the two presbyteries will meet together once a year with a clear focus on fellowship and spiritual nourishment while the day to day business of both presbyteries will benefit from a pooling of resources and access to a wider range of expertise. This innovative approach – pioneered in the Western Isles – could serve as a blueprint for the wider Church as the General Assembly encourages presbyteries across Scotland to cooperate to a greater extent than they have in the past.

Moderators of both presbyteries signed the Tarbert Declaration during a special service in Tarbert Church of Scotland, Harris, on Saturday 10th December 2016.

PHOTOGRAPH: Left to right: John Cunningham (Clerk to Lewis Presbytery), Rev Dr David Donaldson (Moderator of Uist Presbytery), Rev Dr Ben Johnstone (Moderator of Lewis Presbytery), Wilson McKinlay (Clerk to Uist Presytery) signing the ‘Tarbert Declaration’.

Help to weather the storms for island communities

April 27, 2016

One of SHEPD’s previous community resilience workshops held in Inverness.

Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) is offering support to communities across the Western Isles to draw up local plans to respond to extreme weather and other emergencies.

A series of three short introductory roadshows will be held next week in Stornoway, Tarbert and Benbecula (details below). These will be followed up by workshops a month later (June) at which participating communities and groups will be helped to develop their own draft plans.

As well as putting local knowledge, skills and facilities at the heart of the emergency response delivered by SHEPD and other agencies, the sessions will help attendees to gain support via SHEPD’s Resilient Communities Fund, which will open to applications later in the year.

SHEPD Community Liaison Manager Mo Bates says: “Extreme weather seems to be affecting us more often and the islands are used to feeling the full force of it. Islanders have always been good at looking out for each other, but drawing up a simple emergency plan can still make a big difference when it comes to coordinating local efforts with the emergency response agencies.

“Our work with communities in recent years has delivered great results with a wide range of community groups and organisations getting involved – from local residents’ groups to radio stations. The events are completely free and fun to take part in. Most importantly, communities tell us they have made a big difference whether during winter storms, disruption to transport or other emergencies.

“I would urge everyone with an interest in helping their community stay safe to come along and find out more.”

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Emergency Planning Manager Andy MacDonald added: “Engaging local communities and their knowledge in the emergency response can make a huge difference in critical situations.

“This process is absolutely not about replacing the duties of SHEPD, the Comhairle or emergency services. Community plans are designed to make sure the emergency response reflects local needs. They can improve communication and make sure support is delivered effectively when it matters most.

Full programme of events is below:

Resilience Roadshow	Monday 2 May 2016, 7pm – 8.30pm	Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway
Resilience Roadshow	Tuesday 3 May 2016, 7pm – 8.30pm	Tarbert Community Centre, Tarbert.
Resilience Roadshow	Wednesday 4 May 2016, 7pm – 8.30pm	Dark Island Hotel, Liniclate, Benbecula.
Community Resilience Workshop	Monday 30 May 2016, 5pm – 9pm Sandwiches and Refreshments served at 5pm	Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway
Community Resilience Workshop	Tuesday 31 May 2016, 5pm – 9pm Sandwiches and refreshments served at 5pm	Harris Hotel, Tarbert
Community Resilience Workshop	Wednesday 1 June 2016, 5pm – 9pm Sandwiches and Refreshments served at 5pm	Dark Island Hotel, Liniclate, Benbecula.

Councillor calls for urgent review of Uist bus timetables

April 21, 2016

An urgent review of the new Uist bus timetables is required, says SNP councillor Donald Manford, who has been inundated with concerns from local residents.

Changes to bus services in Uist were the subject of consultation by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar as part of the budget setting process. However, the re-shaped service is causing major issues for those living and working across the area.

Cllr Manford said: “More than 30 constituents have contacted me very worried that they will be unable to continue in employment due to the timetable changes and some who are now using taxis to get to work but make clear that is simply unaffordable.

“People are struggling to get to work with many saying that the service is not catering for working people. I understand there are many people affected including pupils at Sgoil Lionacleit who wish to attend after school activities. This needs to be addressed with a degree of urgency.”

He added: “I recognise that the council conducted consultations prior to deciding on the current timetables. However, it seems very clear that the consultation exercise which was practiced has not worked for the many who have been left stranded, particularly those whose work and livelihoods have been so dramatically affected.

“The operators have done their best within the constraints of the contract but the Comhairle must look to amend the timetables as soon as possible.”

Na h-Eileanan an Iar MP Angus MacNeil has also been contacted by several constituents on this matter and he was now written to the Comhairle’s Chief Executive Malcolm Burr, asking for a review of timetables be carried out at the earliest opportunity.

Vi-king of the road

July 3, 2015

Taigh Chearsabhagh – Broad reach

Artist Talk: Stuart McAdam – Saturday 4^th July, 2pm.

– Artist talk marks start of summer residency with Taigh Chearsabhagh

– Stuart McAdam cycled from Renfrewshire to Uist retracing possible Viking routes

By Adam Gordon

Artist, Stuart McAdam arrived at Taigh Chearsabhagh on 1st July, following a mammoth journey

Johnstone-based artist, Stuart McAdam has arrived in Uist to begin his summer residency with Taigh Chearsabhagh, after embarking on an epic 485-mile bike journey from his hometown in Renfrewshire to the Western Isles.

Stuart McAdam’s residency, which is part of Taigh Chearsabhagh’s Broad reach project, begins this Saturday 4^th July, with an artist talk at 2pm at Taigh Chearsabhagh in Lochmaddy, North Uist. During the talk Stuart will discuss his journey and what he hopes to research during his residency.

Stuart started his pilgrimage on Monday 22^nd June, cycling from his home in Johnstone, Renfrewshire. His journey took him via Arran, Islay, Mull, Iona, Oban, Mallaig, and Skye before he arrived in Lochmaddy on Wednesday 1st July, to complete an exhausting trip in which he covered almost 500 miles in little over a week.

Inspired by Norse mythology and storytelling, Stuart charted his path to retrace possible Viking routes, and documented his thoughts and observations through video, photography, drawings and notes during the course of his journey.

The artist, who graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in 2008, is interested by slow travel, and he has sought to draw inspiration and ideas by travelling on foot, by boat and bike. In 2012, Stuart took to the road to cycle across parts of the western front through Belgium and France to Switzerland, following the lines of trenches from WW1. In his most recent project, he explored lost former railway lines in North East Scotland on foot, as part of a commemorative project marking 50 years of the Beeching Cuts during his residence with Deveron Arts.

A map of Stuart McAdam’s observations and comic drawings taken from the Lines Lost project with Deveron Arts

The artist talk will be the first of an eclectic range of activities Stuart will undertake during his residency in Uist. He will also be involved in a Viking Art activity during Berneray week on July 20^th, and will host a comic workshop as part of the North Uist Agricultural show festivities on 30^th July, which is a free event and open to everyone 7+. *

Stuart McAdam: Artist Talk takes place at Taigh Chearsabhagh, 4^th July, 2pm in the upstairs gallery.

Entry is free and the talk is open to all ages.

* The Comic workshop event on 30^th of July is open to all children 7+, but an adult must accompany them.

Click here for more information on Stuart’s residence.

Click here to have a sneak peek at some of the photos from Stuart’s journey on the Taigh Chearsabhagh twitter account.

Road surface dressing programme to get underway

April 21, 2015

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s 2015 roads surface dressing programme is commencing on 11th May, with two weeks of work in the Barra and Uist area.

It is expected that the mobile works will then transfer to Harris on or around 25th May for an approximate one or two week period, after which works will transfer to Lewis for a further two or three week period. All works are weather dependent and may be subject to delays and alteration.

Most areas of the Western Isles will be affected by the works.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar would like to thank the public for their continued patience and cooperation during this period and are advised to take notice of all signage, speed limits and traffic management on the sites. The travelling public are encouraged to heed the temporary speed limits through the sites and have due consideration for vehicles travelling in the opposite direction.

Comhairle community meals service to commence in Uist and Barra

October 20, 2014

A new community meal service will commence in Uist and Barra on 24th November.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is to introduce a pre-prepared frozen meal service on a phased basis, beginning in Uist and Barra on 24th November 2014 and in Lewis and Harris from early 2015.

The development of this service is on the basis of substituting the main meal preparation that service providers currently offer. Service users will still be able to choose whether to have their main meal at lunchtime or tea time. If service users have been assessed as requiring assistance with breakfast, this will also continue.

A well-balanced and nutritious diet plays an essential part in maintaining strength and maximizing good health. Even though energy needs decline through age, the requirement for essential nutrients (vitamins and minerals) does not diminish. The Community Meals Service ensures that the meals provided contain the correct nutrients in the right balance and the nutritional criteria specified by the National Association of Care Catering.

The Assessment and Care Management Team will contact service users shortly with sample menus and information sheets. One option will be for service users to choose from a menu prepared by local company Maclean’s Bakery.

Cllr Uisdean Robertson, Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, said: “The introduction of this meal service will re-distribute the time taken to prepare meals to enable other tasks and care time to be provided. The consultation proposals for changing how care time is provided will consolidate the time benefits that community meals will generate in releasing time for other priorities. We are committed to providing the best possible care for our older folk, including providing tasty, nutritious meals.”

Members sought for Western Isles Development Trust

September 11, 2014

Are you interested in having your say on the development of renewable energy in the Western Isles?

The Western Isles Development Trust (WIDT) is seeking ordinary members from across the islands to join the charitable trust.

From the ordinary membership, four individuals, one each from Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra, will subsequently be elected onto the Board.

Anyone wishing to join the WIDT should apply before Friday 26^th September. Elections to the board will be held soon after.

The purpose of WIDT is to support the regeneration and development of the Outer Hebrides through disbursement of Community Benefit secured from local Renewable Energy installations. This Community Benefit will come from a range of technologies, predominantly onshore wind, offshore wind, wave and tidal. Over time, and as grid connectivity allows, WIDT will expand its activities to support community ownership of large scale Renewable Energy infrastructure with the objective of addressing Fuel Poverty through access to locally generated ‘green’ electricity.

To be eligible as an Ordinary Member, applicants must be at least 16 years old and be on the electoral roll in the Western Isles.

Anyone interested in applying to be an ordinary member should contact WIDT at info@widt.co.uk or write to The Community Planning Unit, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Sandwick Road, Stornoway.

Isles presbyteries sign pioneering ‘Tarbert Declaration’

Help to weather the storms for island communities

Councillor calls for urgent review of Uist bus timetables

Vi-king of the road

Road surface dressing programme to get underway

Comhairle community meals service to commence in Uist and Barra

Members sought for Western Isles Development Trust

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