District News, March 03 2023

Clachan

 

Lori's steps out in anti-litter campaign

 

A Clachan woman who picked up roadside rubbish during the Covid-19 lockdown has embarked on a new battle against litter louts.

 

When childcare practitioner Lori Silvan was furloughed at the height of the pandemic, she decided to do something proactive and put her spare time to good use by clearing litter from the grass verges near her home.

 

She also set up a Facebook group called 'WAKE UP, CLEAN UP ARGYLL!' to keep people posted on her work and encourage others in her position to do the same in their own towns and villages.

 

Now, noticing an increase in the amount of rubbish returning to the roadside, Lori has signed up to do a sponsored litter pick from Clachan Filling Station to The Gather in Tarbert – a distance of 10 miles!

 

“The road verges are getting really bad again and the nights are getting lighter, making the litter more obvious to passersby,” said Lori, who kicked off her new challenge last week.

 

“I will be doing 30 to 45 minutes a day after work, and more at weekends when possible, up until April 30.”

 

Not only is Lori helping to keep Argyll looking beautiful but she has decided to raise money for a local charity in the process.

 

“I have decided to raise money for the Tarbert Pantry food bank,” she explained, “as it helped a lot of people during the lockdown, and continues to help a lot of people during the cost of living crisis.

 

“I would like to thank Heather Bellshaw at the Pantry for all the hard work she does and for helping me with my sponsor forms.

 

“If anyone wishes to sponsor me, there are forms in Clachan Filling Station and The Gather in Tarbert; The Gather has also kindly agreed that I can leave all of the litter I collect there – and I am expecting there will be a lot of bags!”

 

Under the Environmental Protection Act, local authorities are responsible for litter collection at the side of the road and Argyll and Bute Council works with BEAR Scotland and Transport Scotland to try and minimise litter.

 

“I had a meeting with Councillor Alastair Redman at The Gather, and he has been extremely supportive in providing me with relevant advice, information and contacts,” added Lori.

 

“I will be following up this meeting by contacting both the council and BEAR Scotland about my litter concerns and how they can help in the future.”

 

Mid Argyll

 

For one day only: Mid Argyll Music Festival returns

 

Organisers of this year’s Mid Argyll Music Festival, a favourite event for Kintyre musicians, have decided to run it as a one-day event only.

 

The plan is to bring back a full week of performances and competitions next year, giving youngsters more time to get ready.

 

Saturday June 17 will see a focus on action songs, primary choirs, secondary vocal solos plus woodwind and brass solos for beginners through to S6, says festival chairman Martin Gorringe.

 

The festival is affiliated to the British and International Federation of Festivals for Music, Dance and Speech with costs covered by fundraising, donations from entrants, supporters and grants. Her Grace the Duchess of Argyll is the charity’s patron.

 

And local companies have sponsored the festival, which is a registered charity.

 

"attachment_177010" "aligncenter" "300"] Campbeltown Brass B won the intermediate ensemble (S1 to S3) class at the 2019 Mid Argyll Music Festival, the last one to be held.

 

In 2020, the global pandemic struck and the 41st festival was cancelled on its first day. Music tuition in schools came to a halt and even when it restarted, up-take seemed to be low, posing a dilemma for festival organisers who were genuinely concerned participants would feel unprepared.

 

But this week, the festival’s committee announced it would be returning.

 

“The committee has agreed that there is a genuine desire for the music festival to re- commence and, although music tuition has only recently been re-established in schools, it would give performers the opportunity to compete in a one-day event on June 17,” said Mr Gorringe.

 

To get a copy of the syllabus, email: midargyllmusicfestival1980@gmail.co.uk

 

The closing date for entries is Friday March 31.