EDITORIAL WORDS

We have had many sightings of 'tall ships' and other lovely yachts, over the past few weeks; many of them, like this one, which is Swedish and called Gunilla were various sorts of 'training ships'. [We also had the Lord Nelson here.] We have Andrew MacGregor to thank for this picture, but I am sure that many other cameras have been out!

I am sorry that issue is late, but at least we are getting some, badly needed, rain. In fact, we wonder if our prayers have been a little misunderstood, since we have been sent a full blown storm, rather than some good WET rain.

DANNY ALEXANDER

Danny continues to hit the headlines and The Mail, not sure whether it was the Daily one or the Sunday one, carried a long story about his childhood days here, complete with a photograph of his 'highland home' aka Glen Cottage, near Colonsay harbour and a picture of him among other island children.

   

It just goes to show how good Kilchattan Primary is. [See below.] And we know that there are many more examples of high achievers!

SCHOOOL IS OUT!!

Next year's Oban pupils have had an exciting visit to the High School there, Jamie, who moves up from Pre School in the Autumn has had a go at staying for dinner. Everyone has had some World Cup fun! And the weather seems to have broken just as term ends.

The Pupils and the family who were staying at the Baptist Manse did a 'beach clean' at Port Lobh on Monday afternoon and collected 12 bags of rubbish!

Miss Strath, who was once upon a time, the Island teacher and is now in her nineties, visited pupils on her recent visit and entertained them with stories from days of old. She talked about what the school was like and what the island was like - very interesting. Here she is.

The School had an Open Day, to which islanders and visitors were all invited, on the last Friday in June. Everyone was very interested in the displays of all the work that had been done, including the making of an artificial lung and expeditions to various sites of historic and pre-historic interest. Kevin was given a wee present in recognition of the time both he and his bus had contributed. One visitor commented that it all showed just how much energy everyone involved was investing in Kilchattan Primary.

GRAVE FOUND AT MACHRINS

After the recent dry weather, a sandy mound at Machrins, has revealed some ancient human remains, which were first noticed by Chris and Sheena Nisbet. The big dune on the Golf Course has been eroding for years and has been giving up evidence, normally revealing camp-fires, stone settings, and seafood remains etc., but this is something different.

   

All the proper authorities have been informed, and the area is cordonned off; the site is to be visited soon by archeaologists.

GOLF TOURNAMENT

A Charity golf match, in aid of the Leonard Cheshire Homes, took place here, on 12 May between Colonsay GC and a touring team assembled by Neil Hutton, a regular summer visitor. The 'visiting' team had played an arduous 36 holes at the Machrie on Islay, the previous day and had followed that with a late night snooker competition in the Hotel and so were in excellent shape for the Colonsay challenge. It is greatly to Colonsay's credit that folk came here especicially to play 'our' course and puts us firmly on the Golfing Map! Although the visitors thoroughly enjoyed the condition of the Colonsay course, none could match Donald McAllister's matchwinning score of 82. The Colonsay then provided a very fine dinner and the visitors were very impressed with all the comfort of the place, although rather dismayed at the absence of bar stools and TV for the World Cup.

  

Everyone offers their warmest thanks to Trevor Patrick for all the local organisation and to everyone on Colonsay for the fabulous hospitality. The sum of £135 was raised for 'Golfability 2010' and we have a Certificate to proove it!

For the avoidance of doubt, Sundays continue to be Golf Days locally, and, if you go to the First Hole at around 10.00 you can expect to find some other willing and eager players.

FIDDLETOWN

Early in June I received another message from Florence Chilton and Dan Slater, who represent Fiddletown in California, which is longing to establish some sort of twinning relationship with this island. The idea came to them after they 'Googled' all Scottish p1aces with fiddling connectiona - and found us through Cẹl Colasa!
Here is their letter and photo...

'It's been so long since we've communicated I've forgotten where we left off! We (Fiddletown) are still interested in "twinning" but have not focused on it lately. Will mention it again at the meeting on Thursday. Hope your council will keep it on their agenda too.
I cannot recall whether I sent you the photo of our Fiddlers' Jam attendees and winners "waving" to all the folks in Colonsay. It was taken last September when it was announced that we were attempting to establish the relationship. If you received it previously ... please disregard.
Heard from Carl and Marilyn that they will be your way towards the end of the week. Hope you are getting along ok.
Take care'

Carl and Marilyn came to Colonsay last year, in their yacht 'Walela', and they left her behind for the winter, safely berthed in Ardrossan.
Almost immediately, they were in touch, and soon after that, they were here, bringing us T-shirts of Fiddletowners making music. These will appear, in due course, as Raffle Prizes, in aid of some Colonsay project. We were able to give them some souvenirs of this island; these will go home to Fiddletown in the yacht, which is sailing to California, via the top end of America. All very exciting and somehow shows that the whole twinning arrangement can be done without a huge cost to either community. It is quite an honour really that we have been 'chosen'.

BBC DRAMA

Watch out for the 4 part drama, 'The Silence' starting soon on BBC 1, in July and it is being mentioned by them quite often just now.
This is the first ever starring role for Genevieve Barr, who is a frequent visitor to Colonsay as the girl friend of Mo Middleton. The other stars in the show have the already familiar names, of, among others, Gina McKee, Hugh Bonneville, Douglas Henshall and Dervla Kirwan, so you can tell that this is a big prodction!!

You can get more details from

but the important thing is to watch out for the first episode in July, although I can't yet tell you exactly when this will be!

THE PANTRY

First off, we would like to announce that Gavin's business partner, Jo Fowler, went away last week, and had a baby girl - Rebecca Isla. Mother and daughter are both doing well and we will have a photo here, on their return to Colonsay.

'Meanwhile, Back At The Ranch', so to speak, The Pantry hosted a crowded Mexican Night and are to put on a 4th July BBQ - American style.

  

NATURE NOTES

Hi Georgina,
I spotted this one in front of the Old Manse , I think it is either a dark brown or green fritillary butterfly.
King regards, Bob.

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The Marine Conservation Society are mentioning the arrival of basking sharks around Devon and Cornwall, but the word locally is that some have already been seen here. The MCS go on to say that..."Unusually they have been sighted ‘breaching’ – leaping out of the water, a behaviour about which little is known."
These sharks are not at all threatening as they have no teeth and filter plankton for their food. However, it is well to remember that they are enormous creatures and can weigh as much as 7 tonnes!

Many thanks to Kevin for sending me these next pitures - and all at a sensible size too. The bracket fungus is in trees at the foot of the Church Brae; the Hawk Moth was found dead, but was welcomed by Natural History students of Kilchattan Primary School;

   

For good measure, he also sent us this unfortunate picture of the very middle of Mid Loch Fada showing that all is not well, both with the SNH management of the water level and also with the weather!

Later the same day there were 3 Germans on it with white plastic sunbeds!!

BOOK NEWS

Julia Page has just produced a charming little book, which we are, of course, going to carry in The Bookshop. "Journey to an Island" is a proper book and, of course the island in question is Colonsay and it is largely a true story, in that the characters are the Page family's 5 year old pet guinea pig and an RSPB toy oystercatcher, with a bit of wishful thinking and Julia's usual skilful illustrations. The two travellers see Oban, Colonsay and their holiday cottage, just as other visitors would... The final page has Oli Oystercatcher saying " Can we go to the beach now ? ", also, just as any other visitor would.

   

Julia adds - "A postscript to the story is is that Oli DID actually go to the Stoney Beach. I was curious to find out if he might get a reply to his very realistic call from any of the local birds. Whenever an Oystercatcher appears in a TV programme, as in Springwatch last night, I always give Oli a squeeze and his loud lifelike squawks echo round our living room!
However, out in the open on Colonsay, there was no contest for him with the sound of the wind and waves and his calls were reduced to a muffled squeak. Regrettably, no communication with the locals was achieved!

   

You can get some idea of the tiny size of the book from these pics!

Kevin's new guidebook, "Lonely Colonsay is still not quite here and so will be formally reviewed next month, by which time we will have sold lots of copies! [One, and one only of which is actually HERE on Colonsay.] We will honour all sales already made, but we think the price will now be nearer £17.50. WATCH THIS SPACE!!
We thought that we might have a launch party outside The Bookshop - which would surely make it rain properly!?!

Whisky on the Rocks is another clever lttle book [Though not as tiny as Julia's!] by Stephen and Julie Cribb, with illustration, which are in fact of some importance to one's understanding of everything, by Richard Bell. This is by no means a new book, as it has been around for well over ten years, but I think it will prove popular on Colonsay. It goes a very long way towards giving one an understanding of how the different whisky's of Scotland get their different flavours. It is of special help when the Isle of Islay comes to the fore, and although Colonsay has never had its own 'legal' brand, it also helps one to understand the underlying rock structure and make-up of both ourselves and our neighbours.

LOOK BACK IN ALBUM

No one offered any more info on this one, but I can tell you that the McMorrine twin is in fact Al, though naturally, you all knew that! Billy Wood, Ian's late father, and Andrew 'Helensburgh' [Peter 'H.' was here on holiday recently.]

This month, we would like anyone who can, to name all the children in the photograph of Danny, which appears near the start of this Issue. If that is too easy perhaps the people themselves will come forward and tell us what they are up to!?!
Entries, as usual to : The Editor or by telephone : 01951 200375 ; or by post to : The Editorial Suite, The Corncrake, Corncrake Towers, Scalasaig, Isle of Colonsay, Argyll, PA61 7YW, Scotland.

NOW WHERE COULD THAT BE?

Lots of people got this one, even David Hoult, as it kept up the Oransay theme and was, indeed, the trig point on the Ben, looking out towards Ardskenish.

Here's hoping that this next one is more difficult.

Entries as usual to : The Editor or by telephone : 01951 200375 ; or by post to : The Editorial Suite, The Corncrake, Corncrake Towers, Scalasaig, Isle of Colonsay, Argyll, PA61 7YW, Scotland.

GOODBYE

Hilary Black (nee Cook) 19th September 1944 - 14th May 2010

Hilary died peacefully at home on Friday 14th May in the presence of her devoted husband Mac, after a very brave struggle with illness.
She will be sadly missed by her daughter Sue, son Colin, their partners and her grandchildren, all of her family and friends.
Hilary visited Colonsay as often as she could and felt very much at home there, since being a holiday maker in her teenage years and then staying with her parents, Jean and Sandy Cook when they lived there. She was determined to make a last visit recently and although not able to do as much as she would have liked she enjoyed her stay. She was very much reassured by the fact the Jan and David Binnie were the doctors on the Island, and on her return commented how excellent their attention to her had been.
She had many friends on Colonsay and besides their company and visiting the Hotel she enjoyed the challenges of the golf course.

SNIPPETS

This picture was kindly gifted towards the collection currently displayed at the hotel by a direct descendant of Captain Archibald MacDougall 1830 - 1902, Master of the "Texa". He was born on Colonsay, and buried at Kildalton, Islay. He married Margaret Bell 1833-1898, a daughter of Scalasaig Innkeepers John Bell & Margaret McNeill, who married in 1824. Dugie MacDougall of Port Askaig recalled that the "Texa" was used to bring grain to Caol Isla distillery, and also to bring peats from Bunnahabhain to Caol Isla (as per the photograph). Captain MacDougall built Texa House as his residence in Islay, but one can see from the census returns that his family holidayed in Colonsay.

The Village Hall SANDCASTLE COMPETITION is now officially open and although entries are to be by photograph, the structures, be they fairy castles, rowing boats or mermaids, do have to be built on Colonsay. Entry forms are available at £1 from the General Store and things which happen at the Hall. Send in your pics, which I will publish every month in The Corncrake, and then in October we will get someone suitably impartial to make a judgement and - BING0 - we will have a winner!
PLEASE START SENDING IN YOUR PICS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Speaking of the Hall, here are some special dates for July, but keep your eyes peeled locally for other things.

Sat 3, Ceilidh Firefighters' Charity
Sat 10, MacMillan Coffee Afternoon and that evening a Ceilidh for the Heritage Trust
Sat 17, Ceilidh for Development Company
Sat 24, Ceilidh to raise funds for the Sports Day and the Christmas Party
Sat 31, Ceilidh for Gun Club

THE SPORTS DAY will be at Machrins on 31 July

Alastair Scouller's 60th Birthday Party at Greyfriars in Edinburgh.

   

These pictures, which were too late for last month, show Alastair in his new MacPhee kilt and a table full of locals and regular visitors, whom some of you might recognise!

An exhibition has opened this week in London of etchings by Jason Hicklin following a 10 day stay on Colonsay in February this year.
It is on until mid-July at the Beardsmore Gallery, 22- 24 Prince of Wales Rd, London NW5 3LG.

Examples of Jason’s work can be seen at www.jasonhicklin.com

He is also exhibiting on Colonsay from 30th June and we hear that examples of his work have already been snapped up by eager Colonsay visitors. Everyone is agreed that having the artist on hand to talk about their work and inspiration all adds to the experience of seeing the work.

The Chadwicks - Ken and Jan - took their leave with a Pickfords van this month, amid promises to return soon. Their house in Kilchattan has been bought by another family, and we now have a second 'Trevor' on Colonsay.

"Seafari" continue to come down from Easedale in their very fancy RIB, on Tuesdays and offer two chances at a circumnavigation of the island, before returning to the mainland in the afternoon. Details are on the main web page under 'Things To Do' and all reports have been very favourable!

Folk are less pleased, however, with continuing disruption of the Wednesday ferries and the fact that our links with Islay are to be gone for over a month; it cannot be denied that many operators have tailored their opening hours to match with our 'day-trippers' and there is therefore also a revenue issue associated with this problem. The fact that an accident, in Tiree, we understand, to the "Hebridean Isles", COMPLETELY upset everyones arrangments for the last Wednesday in the month, did not improve the mood, although travellers were offered a free meal.

During their 3 hour wait in Oban that day, David and Sarah managed to squeeze in a brief visit down the road to Gordon and Elaine. Inevitably, they were busy with shearing, but reports are all good.

Don Ritchie, who sent in the lovely Oransay photo of a rainbow, turned up from Ireland, on a yacht last week and now we can put a face to an email correspondent, which is very nice! In fact the whole island is already full of familiar and half-familiar faces and, as you see, the Ceilidh Season is upon us.

Many islanders, including, Gavin, Scott, Archie and Jan, David and Sarah, have been away by car and ferry to The Highland Show; Alex, Paul and Caroline went for a few hours only - by plane!

Pupils from Plockton have been travelling the country, doing a series of Concerts; they ended up back at Plockton, with an end of term show, at which Caitlin performed one of her 'own' songs!

There is apparently a new edition of 'The Colonsay Observer' doing the rounds but WE have not seen it yet.

Moira Bell has officially started part-time as Secretary at The Surgery.

The RSPB has a new programme of events for this summer; these will involve all sorts of wildlife, not just birds. There will be occasions suitable for family groups, as well as outings for those with more experience. See local notices for times, booking arrangements and suitable attire. There will also be the chance to visit Oronsay, under escort.

TOPICAL LETTERS

For the convenience of our Readers, letters addressed to The Corncrake appear in two sections. Anything to do with current events appears here, and any letters concerned with historical research etc. appear under "Genealogical Letters" within the MAGAZINE section of The Corncrake.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE EDITOR'S EMAIL ADDRESS HAS NOW CHANGED TO...

georginahobhouse@btinternet.com

OR I think modern technology should give you access clicking here: The Editor

Received on 14 May, entitled 'Sedgewick Gratitude'.

Received mid-June, via Kate Oldfield, Andrew's wife,and actually a message originally sent to The Colonsay Observer, but deemed more suitable for us.

"I was on Colonsay at the end of March as part of the BTCV volunteer group working on the estate. I picked up a copy of The Colonsay Observer and saw that you were asking people to send in their favourite memories of the island. The following is a sort of open letter to the locals. I'd love to be able to pass my thanks to them ...

At the end of March, a team of 10 conservation volunteers and their 2 leaders descended on Colonsay. We cleared Rhododendron and Griselinia in the woodland garden, tidied up some paths to make them more inviting and rebuilt a section of drystone wall. During the 10 days there was rain, plenty of sunshine and even some snow (although we had been assured by a local that it never snows!). The pub and Pantry both served us lovely meals and when cooking for ourselves we made full use of the excellent shop. We had dinner around our bonfire, got wet boots on the walk across to Oronsay, scrambled up plenty of hills, won the pub quiz and bought up half the Brewery. All in all everyone had a wonderful time and on behalf of the group I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone on Colonsay for the warm welcome.

Best wishes,
Anna Dennis
Seasonal Project Officer
BTCV Scotland"

   

Received on 30 June

Good morning
I don’t know if this item would be of interest to your publication, but my uncle Colin Bannatyne who was a vet on Colonsay for many years and who may still be remembered by many of your readers, graduated as a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery on Monday 28th June 2010, after having qualified 66 years ago in 1944. A group of 30 veterinary surgeons who qualified in the late 40s were similarly honoured.
My uncle now stays in Blackwaterfoot , Isle of Arran and I attach a picture which I took myself, so no copyright issues.
Regards
Margaret Ross

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