tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post312428162748232615..comments2023-10-16T08:37:22.742+00:00Comments on An incredulous eye on the isles: South Uist - what can be done?ElectricCrofterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495260997875836669noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-10823540654551987682011-11-20T23:50:52.984+00:002011-11-20T23:50:52.984+00:00'you don't ask the frogs for permission wh...'you don't ask the frogs for permission when you are draining the marsh"<br /><br />I love this, and it sums up the new 'estate' order completely. One of the biggest mistakes was in the community company model developed by HIE/government? i.e. the rotation of a quarter/third of directors each year. This has lead to stagnation, where there is no chance of the incumbents being replaced except through a sustained strategy maintained over years. Those who would challenge the status quo face one, two, three or four years in severely hostile territory in the hope that the board might change complexion eventually. <br /><br />How many are going to do this when you are up against people who have private vested interests even if it is only maintaining their own ego. And lets face it have a life of your own.<br /><br />The "privatised" community that we see in the community trusts is a hideous nulabour mutant. Cull it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-33517661961799265622011-11-10T17:09:52.836+00:002011-11-10T17:09:52.836+00:00Its a shame that the word "community" is...Its a shame that the word "community" is so often hi-jacked these days to give the go ahead to initiatives and organisations that do not have the well being of the true community at heart.<br />One quango type organisation in Glasgow has been known to refer to the local people as "stock" while another so called professional speaking of the community in relation to a proposed development uttered 'you don't ask the frogs for permission when you are draining the marsh". This is the mindset we are up against.<br />Lets start taking a more active role in reclaiming our communities in service of something greater than short term economic profit. The current economic system is breaking down, unfit for purpose and dying out so now's the time.<br />Lets reclaim the word "community" and start to live it in reality.Tamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14487660810580937667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-59630910093420077742010-08-17T20:20:47.165+00:002010-08-17T20:20:47.165+00:00The Askernish crofters were forced into a corner b...The Askernish crofters were forced into a corner by the Storas lawyers, the final humiliation was the insitence that the 'management agreement" be registered under the 5.3 section of the 1993 Crofting act.<br /><br />Can any of the Iochdar crofters confirm that the agreement that they are being persuaded to sign contains a similar clause? <br /><br />For the uninformed, the landlord can register a 5.3 agreement against your croft tenancy with the Land Court. <br />The implication being that should you at some point in the future have second thoughts about the agreement that you have entered then I'm afraid it's too late to change your mind.<br /><br />More worryingly, your tenany may be at risk if you are perceived by the landlord as being in breach of agreement conditions.<br /><br />Have a look at Brian Wilson / Airtricity on any of the google sites. Oh dear, the stakes for the Uist crofters, and those of Pairc have suddenly escalated.<br /><br />Why is Wilson calling the meetings and now dictating the response from the Storas Uibhist board?<br /><br />Declaration of interest? shome mishtake surely.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-36754561174021321132010-08-17T12:37:45.917+00:002010-08-17T12:37:45.917+00:00Again I have been accused of arrogance and naivety...Again I have been accused of arrogance and naivety and on what grounds? That I happen to think anonymous postings solve nothing. In fact they do far worse; they perpetuate a sense injustice and can easily be dismissed as bitterness, paranoia and jealousy.<br />There is little evidence from the press, radio, elected representatives, etc. that there is any truth to the anonymous allegations and cries of serious mismanagement that proliferate the online, anonymous message boards. I certainly do not believe that all of these platforms available to air concerns are in thrall to Storas. Every councillor, every journalist, every radio bulletin, are they all part of a conspiracy that is intimidated by the Stasi style actions of a community landlord?<br /> Not to put too fine a point on it, are you telling me that Wilson, MacMillan and their Lieutenant Francis are so powerful they have stitched up every conceivable avenue of public dissent? I would instead offer a view that people such as Wilson and MacMillan create as many enemies as friends over a career, and if there was substantial bullying, mismanagement and wrong-doing there would be a queue of people falling over themselves to stick the boot in! <br />Then I might even suggest if you have a former energy minister on your doorstep and a long term advocate of community ownership, it would seem only natural to build a relationship with that person, who cares if you like him or his politics.<br /><br />The last two public meetings of Storas were very well attended; you’d think this an ideal, public forum, where strength in numbers could air these allegations of bullying and mismanagement. A public forum that was attended by the local press, yet little dissent or questioning was aired or reported.<br /><br />The same directors who are accused of intimidation, serious mismanagement and bullying are still overwhelmingly elected by a secret ballot of members. Again, if people wish to remain anonymous what better way of doing so in a secret ballot or are these same secret ballots rigged?<br /><br />To end, at no point have I said Storas are perfect or above question. Personally, I feel they could do much better, but I will never subscribe to any theory that maintains that Storas are Mugabe style thugs, who run rough shod over a whole community when there is very little evidence to support such a theory.Jamie Smithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-28490950233779080422010-08-17T12:24:55.297+00:002010-08-17T12:24:55.297+00:00Step forward those with a interest in AMEC, Virtu...Step forward those with a interest in AMEC, Virtual Utility Ltd, and Pipsa Energy. All those not clad in Harris tweed underwear (industrial strength) may sit down.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-34543799985128623542010-08-17T08:09:04.936+00:002010-08-17T08:09:04.936+00:00I publicly spoke out against one community estate....I publicly spoke out against one community estate. Within 48 hours 5 calls for my resignation had gone to my employer from Directors of said community body. So much for freedom of speech.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-84617287901976550542010-08-16T22:38:18.583+00:002010-08-16T22:38:18.583+00:00Having personal experience with Storas (not positi...Having personal experience with Storas (not positive) I feel they are working alone & not with the community. They do not have the communities interest at heart - they have spoken down to me & have left issues unresolved however have spoken about it with all the staff who have spoken to me about my situation personally. It was with great hope the community supported this buy out however with so many issues coming up for individuals - publically and privately - no one wants to go against them - not only for our own future but for our children & grandchildren too who may need assistance from Storas regarding crofts/leases etc. My true belief is that they are a very unprofessional organisation who could potentially damage this community if they have not done so already. Can so many people (who ae actually in the community) be wrong!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-86593579149439964662010-08-16T21:16:56.739+00:002010-08-16T21:16:56.739+00:00I have just been passed a copy of the Free Press w...I have just been passed a copy of the Free Press which was published last weekend. I note that Brian Wilson confirms being at '...a meeting I attended in South Uist last week.'<br /><br />Why have the non board attendees and their role at the monthly meetings not been included in the minutes which are published on the Storas website.<br /><br />More pertinently, why is a has-been labour politician attending meetings which affect the South Uist when no members of the community are able to attend?<br /><br />Who has paid his expenses to attend?<br /><br />What vested interests does Wilson have in windpower? (declared?)<br /><br />Or even, why cannot the minutes of Storas meetings be published within a few days of the meetings taking place. I noted recently that these same minutes were not put on line for six months, and only appeared immediately prior to the 2010 AGM.<br /><br />Wilson and the Storas board use the term 'community' rather freely, when it convenient for them. In the main, the community is merely a tool for a very few individuals to pursue a private agenda. <br /><br />Take the £20M Lochboisdale Port of Entry scheme for instance. This folly has not come about through agitation from within either the fishing community or those involved in the tourism sector.<br /><br />The fishermen would welcome a wavescreen to be built between the existing pier and the round head dolphins, and perhaps deepening the existing pier in front of the tourist office. The tourism sector would gladly welcome joined up thinking on the ferries to the mainland, by that I mean the Barra, Eriskay, Lochboisdale, and Lochmaddy ferries.<br /><br />However, for the above situation to even reach the discussion table would involve one crucial aspect, which, given the track record of the 'community' representatives is somewhat unlikely.<br /><br />Wilson's long term involvement in manipulating the Storas board (a couple of whom happily go along with him) into confrontation with Cal Mac, the current Scottish government, SSE, Councillors, and any other institution which can be publicly derided over their reluctance to entertain the 'plucky islanders' is quite astonishing; but not, on reflection, surprising.<br /><br />Why do the Storas board have to have such a sorry band of carpet baggers (sorry, that should have been consultants) slithering along in their wake? Do they not trust the locals with whom they have resolutely refused to engage. Preferring instead to rifle the pockets of the Big Lottery, HIE, and other unsuspecting dupes to pay out a fortune in 'consultancy' fees.<br /><br /><br />Problem is that for small achievable goals to be met there would have to be real and meaningful discussion; not public attacks - on those with whom they should be working - in the 'Free' Press.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-40308947751934989362010-08-16T17:56:15.423+00:002010-08-16T17:56:15.423+00:00Dear "Mr Smith"
You are right, of cours...Dear "Mr Smith"<br /><br />You are right, of course. In theory there is no real reason for being anonymous or "Ann Onymouse". And yes, perhaps there is a healthy dose of paranoia. But the option is not whether or not to be anonymous. It is whether to post and contribute to an open democratic debate or sit and seethe. I prefer the former. <br /><br />There was a time when it was very difficult to protest, and the channels available were few and each had their own dangers and pitfalls. Those who felt they were wronged by the clearances could do practically nothing. Those who raided land felt that civil disobedience was the solution. <br /><br />But now we have anonymous posting. It is not illegal, dangerous or malicious. At least, nothing I have seen would be actionable. And surely anonymous posts are better than no posts at all. After all, you seem to be reading them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-13595164364492894432010-08-16T13:51:05.980+00:002010-08-16T13:51:05.980+00:00Dear Jamie,
Your arrogant comments show that you ...Dear Jamie,<br /><br />Your arrogant comments show that you are completely divorced from the reality of living in a rural community.<br /><br />One of my good friends of many years in South Uist attempted suicide a few years back. The root? He put his head above the parapet and made accurate public comments, in a reasonable manner, about a local political situation.<br /><br />And that's when the harassment, slighting, comments about himself and his girlfriend, started. As well as the loss of his only source of income under extremely dubious circumstances.<br /><br />If you think there no repercussions from saying the wrong things - or even just the right things - then you are either a deluded fool, or the most naive person on these islands. If, in fact, you do live here. Either way, your comments disgust me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-1530071118316098372010-08-16T10:04:15.894+00:002010-08-16T10:04:15.894+00:00Neither naivety or arrogance nor too much sunshine...Neither naivety or arrogance nor too much sunshine, plus my mother is very proud. Again, for the record ladies and gentlemen, you'd honesty think you were dealing Stasi style secret police and the threat of being rounded up at dawn to be sent to forced-labour camps. <br /><br />It's South Uist, and I really, really wish people would just have the courage of their convictions and say what's needing said. There are so many forums for doing so,and it's all too easy to be anonymous. <br />Dare I say, perhaps the reason that none of the other news outlets have covered this story (Wilson's free sheet, the well-intentioned , but amateur Paipear and the ridiculous Hebrides News aside) is that there is really nothing to report apart form the perceived injustices and intimidation of a paranoid, anonymous few?Jamie Smithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-75905072678147486852010-08-16T07:44:42.470+00:002010-08-16T07:44:42.470+00:00Does anyone know or care who Jamie Smith is. I don...Does anyone know or care who Jamie Smith is. I don't. He may as well be calling himself Mr Strudel Banger. Does he even live anywhere near where we live? And who really cares what he thinks about us!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-59489582504290822292010-08-15T23:32:19.889+00:002010-08-15T23:32:19.889+00:00Jamie Smith- Surely you realise that without anony...Jamie Smith- Surely you realise that without anonymity most of these posts would vanish?<br />Anybody who thinks otherwise is displaying either astonishing arrogance or total naivety. <br />Or both.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-43785010277140092942010-08-15T21:39:23.250+00:002010-08-15T21:39:23.250+00:00Mr Smith
I can only imagine you are in a job from...Mr Smith<br /><br />I can only imagine you are in a job from which you cannot be sacked and at a stage of your life where you no longer have ambitions such as a house site or business. Otherwise you must surely be aware of the delicacy of free expression in a small community. I must admit, using anonymous as a handle does stick in the craw a bit, but when I get to thinking about who I might be inadvertently winding up and how it could affect me in the future, I think I'll stick to anon anon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-72756795211546324582010-08-14T10:43:45.158+00:002010-08-14T10:43:45.158+00:00Dear Jamie Smith
I hope your mother is ashamed of...Dear Jamie Smith<br /><br />I hope your mother is ashamed of you, and I can only excuse your behaviour by assuming that you were brought up in the darkest regions of Harris. <br /><br />What a salacher, expecting a good woman like myself to 'grow a pair'<br /><br />I have tried various creams and poitions to eradicate the odd bit of facial hair, and my indulgence in Charley Barley's guga marag is entirely innocent. And never would I expect a side effect such as you suggest.<br /><br />When you have a wee moment from your obviously busy schedule it might be worth your while to reflect and have a look at the way Storas reacted to a report in the Am Paipear which was not to their liking. Now this publication is not a scurrilous rag such as The Peoples Friend, or the Womans Own, It is only the wee Uist paper which reports on the local goings on.<br />The report on the EGM was actually extremely mild in relation to what in fact was said at that meeting, and the report on the wind farm proposal was also accurate.<br /><br />Now, when the reaction from Storas is to try and suppress the local newspaper, and try and effect the removal of journalists and editors,<br />I am sadly afraid that we are indeed slipping back to a time when the dissenters were expelled.<br /><br />Brian Wilson, who was quite comely in his youth, should stop and reflect on the debacle in which the 'community buy out' is now engaged in. Personally, I find it tiresome to have the word 'community' so roundly misused by those who have no feeling whatsoever for the aspirations of the locals in Uist, Harris, Lewis, and elsewhere.<br /><br />I have to stop now as the postman is just pulling up and I am expecting the latest Autumn edition from both Oxendale and J D Williams. The sight of the young men in their combinations (page 54- 63) is enough to put a Grimsay lass off her porridge.<br /><br />Best regards, (and stay out of the sunshine as it doesn't seem to agree with you)<br /><br />Ann Onimouse <br />(spinster, still hopefull)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-40140998811548413122010-08-13T14:21:56.040+00:002010-08-13T14:21:56.040+00:00Jamie Smith,
You don't know how wrong you are...Jamie Smith,<br /><br />You don't know how wrong you are. Or maybe you do?<br /><br />Wait for the book. It'll show the consequences of raising your head above the parapet of island politics...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-12422281881019456462010-08-13T11:19:16.832+00:002010-08-13T11:19:16.832+00:00What rubbish Ann Omimouse. We are not talking abou...What rubbish Ann Omimouse. We are not talking about Saddams' Iraq, Stalinist Russia or Pol Pot's Cambodia - we are talking South Uist. Frankly, all these victims who claim harsh treatment if they out themselves while airing their views deserve everything they get. In fact, their victimhood is just a smoke screen to make some sarcastic commentary. Nothing will change so long as people hide behind, snidey, anonymous sarcasm. So, again, I say grow a pair and do something more constructive about it. Far too easy to do what you are doing, far too easy to play at being a victim and far too easy to hide.Jamie Smithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-43119982156309009912010-08-12T21:27:34.265+00:002010-08-12T21:27:34.265+00:00Maybe someone wants to suggest to Huw he moves to ...Maybe someone wants to suggest to Huw he moves to the new Galson Trust job up to a canny £33k. He might take the pay cut?<br /><br />They seem to want to build a Golf Course and Wind turbines against the crofters wishes too and are running a business not a community.<br /><br />That should all be familiar to him.<br /><br />http://www.galsontrust.com/web/?page_id=183Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-7142738554610532712010-08-12T13:27:22.506+00:002010-08-12T13:27:22.506+00:00Dear Jamie Smith
I am very touched by the faith y...Dear Jamie Smith<br /><br />I am very touched by the faith you have in humanity, sadly, mine was eroded over the course of many years and bitter encounters with individuals who have been elevated to positions where they can excert a malign influence in pursuit of their own personal agenda.<br /><br />It is reassuring to find an person who thinks that to pen their name to a comment on a blog such as this will not suffer repercussions. <br /><br />Imagine for a moment, if you will, that you had written anything critical of Storas and then had to go cap in hand to them for a plot of land or a lease. Dear oh dear, what a surprise awaits you. They are already on record for with-holding these to locals who have not stood on the party line.<br /><br />In addition, these comments are appearing precisely because there is no forum for open and constructive dialogue with the Storas board. Unless of course you count an AGM where they appear with their lawyers in tow as an opportunity for community discussion.<br /><br />Be under no illusion that should you dissent from their pronouncements you will be publicly savaged.<br /><br />Look back at the treatment given to David Buckland, Hamish Fraser, the Askernish crofters, Andrew MacKinnon, etc. All of this is on record; so, please think again before you mock anonymous "tittle tattle'<br /><br />Yours etc,<br /><br />Ann OnimouseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-14182417287763933722010-08-12T12:28:14.172+00:002010-08-12T12:28:14.172+00:00Did Brain Wilson also write this Jimmy Reid Obitua...Did Brain Wilson also write this <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/aug/11/jimmy-reid-obituary" rel="nofollow">Jimmy Reid Obituary</a> in Guardian. If so he'll be spinning in his grave at his write-up being done by a champagne turncoat socialist like Brian Wilson. Wilson has become everything this great man stood against.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-81360259219859575692010-08-12T11:53:51.485+00:002010-08-12T11:53:51.485+00:00Sadly, all these comments would have far more cred...Sadly, all these comments would have far more credibility if their posters had the strength of their convictions and didn't hide behind anonymity. It's quite laughable, and frankly cowardly! Have a go by all means, but at least have the balls to back-up your spurious tittle-tattle.Jamie Smithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-14570999148053042932010-08-12T01:04:43.800+00:002010-08-12T01:04:43.800+00:00Dr Evadne,
Laugh?... I can only weep.Dr Evadne,<br /><br />Laugh?... I can only weep.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-3647637344455670702010-08-11T19:15:59.620+00:002010-08-11T19:15:59.620+00:00The great reforming MacLandlords of the 21st centu...The great reforming MacLandlords of the 21st century have arrived, be afraid, be very afraid!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-61253979233589446202010-08-11T18:03:06.071+00:002010-08-11T18:03:06.071+00:00I hear on the grapevine that Brian Wilson is weedl...I hear on the grapevine that Brian Wilson is weedling his way into the affections of the Pairc Trust. What a laugh it would be if all these so called community windfarms end up in the hands of large organisations such as...um AMEC? Then they could join them all up and make one big windfarm. Surely Brian must now have his sights set on the Arnish debacle or the Bridge Community centre.Dr Evadnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03106629519215495848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-80796915483142601232010-08-11T16:55:05.151+00:002010-08-11T16:55:05.151+00:00The rather strange processions from Uist to Edinbu...The rather strange processions from Uist to Edinburgh now begin to make a bit of sense with the pupeteer having been publicly exposed.<br /><br />I have to admit to a certain mild curiosity when Storas took up the cudgel over deep water piers, provision of ferries, defence strategy, education policy...and any other stray item which could be used to try and have a public kick at the current Scottish administration.<br /><br />Storas has been sadly used and manipulated by Wilson, his cronies, and a bunch of complicit directors.<br /><br />Pity that this sorry lot couldn't focus on the day to day administration of a crofting community and give some support to the various individuals who show some entrepreneurial flair.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com