This is too sensible!!
Posted: Sunday, 05 November 2006 |
Comments
About time this was said. Well done
Silent Majority from Jura
Your problems would be solved if you were to accept my (forthcoming?) offer to take both structures off your hands for 1 (US, be thankful: not Canadian) dollar? If a White Knight were to make a counter offer, I would be willing to raise my (already generous) price to compensate each (still breathing) islander to the (ringing) tune of a dollar. # Alternatively, you could tear both places up, install a yurt seating 100 at reasonable expense, and make it multi-use. You would get great publicity, and visitors, particularly if you had some local artists paint the structure appropriately. # Of course, you could get all the use out of the unmodified structures that you can until they fall on your heads. The advantage of this option is that it would not cost a penny. Furthermore, when the structures fall down, and the rubble removed, you would have plenty of space for a .... parking lot. By the way: why use cars when walking or bicycling are viable options?
mjc from NM,USA
Why suggest a yurt, mjc - you could send teepee designs along with smoke signal lessons, so long as the lessons are held outside, jackyboy in holyrood can't complain - and once Flying Cat is Prime Minister, it all becomes irrelevant, as everything will be Feline better!
mia from looking at an atlas
MJC from NM, USA.... walking or bicycling aren't viable options at NIGHT when it is DARK and there are no STREETLIGHTS or PAVEMENTS and you want to attend a community event. So get lost and mind your own business.
ayeright from jura
Totally agree that its time to get sensible. Might almost be able to accept a yurt but, and this is a BIG BUT just like the present village hall it would never keep the midges out or be conducive to the installation of air conditioning, without which we would be in the same state as we are now, either expiring in tropical temperatures as things warm up or being eaten alive when the windows/doors are opened to let in some air and also the hordes of midges just waiting outside for their chance. In recent years the hall has been allowed to deteriorate badly. The proposed extension and 'refurishment' will not provide the leisure/community facility which Jura now needs. Jura needs an up-to-date purpose built centre suitable for a wide range of leisure, social and sporting activities. The proposed extension basically just covers an extension in which to house the Service Point. The hall itself would not be substantially improved (roof height, width, storage space, etc.) so still would not be suitable for many activities. Question: Why has the Village Hall Committee taken it upon itself to re-house the Service Point? Answer: "In order to make it easier to obtain funding for extending and refurbishing the hall" we are told. Comment: How is it that other communities have been able to get funding to build state of the art all purpose community centres without incorporating Service Points? Surely it should be either JDT or IatE, both of whom have their offices within the present Service Point, to take on the responsibility of providing suitable premises for themselves and also the very important community asset, the Service Point? Craighouse desperately, desperately needs parking space. As there seems to be no other alternative the IatE committee have proposed the filling in of the bay scheme to provide this space, but it is by no means certain that it will get the go ahead. If it does not where do the Village Hall Committee propose that those using a new Service Point at the Hall in the centre of the village, already desperately and dangerously short of space are going to find the extra space to park? Lack of adequate parking space will almost certainly mean that any planning application for the extension would not be granted. The present situation of the three different groups, JDT, IatE and the Village Hall Committee, all totally failing to communicate with one another is ridiculous - but VERY, VERY JURA - now is the time when individual visions and committee egos should and must be put aside. The Antlers and the Village Hall are after all community owned buildings/land and should be used for purposes which first and foremost should truly be of benefit to the whole community. But, as they say, don't hold your breath!
Gael Force from Craighouse, Jura
Cheer up folks, just look at Coll who now have a celebrity in FLEECER the laughing lamb as seen on EBAY
colinthecreeler from islay
Ayeright: I am lost already (why, blimey, do you think I would end up here otherwise?). Night goggles? Mountain bikes? There is a solution to every problem. And, anyway, what are you doing out at night?! Street lights, pavements: what will you want next? Domino's pizzas delivered at home(guaranteed within 15 minutes)? Whatever pork you want from Edinburgh or Westminster (taxpayers' money) I wish you good luck. Americans love pork, but you (and Gael Force) clearly want to live high on the hog. Anyway, good night and good luck.
mjc from NM,USA
Lets remember the Hall belongs to us the people of Jura and not the Hall commitee, why are they not asking what we want? The Hall has served it's time but is now ready for retirement. Grants appear to be available just read this week's Oban Times, we were led to believe this was not the case. As for the Antlers fiasco what on earth is the community going to gain from a Bunk House ? Why was the Service Point not housed there? it at least benefits the community.Come on let's get together and sort this nonsense out.
Hot Toddy from Jura
Quiet Steeeevvveee...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz... trying to get some zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...snort..work............zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. done................what Jura REALLY needs is a DECENT road. So there, all you government subsidy pigs!
ruaridh from ruantallin
Steve for King of Jura!
Allyoop from Ardfin
Sounds like too many chiefs and not enough indians. When's the coronation Steve?
Little smurf from Craighouse
Little smurf: the way I heard it on the Rez is: "Too many thiefs and not enough Indians." Of course, not applicable to Jura. # Kind of amazing there is so much discord in view of the rather small population. Did I catch a whiff of cargo cult?
mjc from NM,USA
John Frumm?
Flying Cat from a south pacific paradise
Always am and will be an indian, don't want to be a chief (USA type).
Stephen from Jura
John Frum: they waited,and they waited, for years they waited, and yet nothing came down from the Loganairs of their world ...
mjc from NM,USA
mjc, please tell what you are on so I can avoid taking it!!!
me from here
To You from There: Guga vindaloo.
mjc from NM,USA
Our problem is, if we disagree with stupid idea's, we keep silent but if we agree we go to all the meetings and are very vocal. Come on everyone, the best thing about the comments section is that no one needs to know who you are, so at least speak your mind and let the Mayes Organisation know what you think. Ther are more comments from non Juriachs than Island based one's. Now is the time to speak OR it maybe too late. If you agree with jurastores comments, then say so!
Silent Majority from Jura
mjc. How right you are!!!!! Sounds like the achievements of JDT, IATE and others. Well said
Stephen from Jura
Silent Majority: Point of note, there is not such a people as Juriachs it is Diurach's .
Old Stock from Jura
Well guys now is the time to get back to a proper debate about the Village Hall proposals. Did we all get our letter from the Village Hall Committee (VHC) with a plan of the proposed extension to the present hall and a questionaire? Several things struck me. Who are all these funding bodies that the VHC have met with who will not finance the building of a village community centre which would be suitable for the future social and leisure needs of the community? Not the same ones that have funded the village community centres springing up in other areas that's obvious! Perhaps more research should have been done by the VHC before they settled for what can only be second best for Jura. Another thing, after being told time and time again in the past by the VHC that the best way to attract funding would be to build something new (i.e. the Service Point) according to the VHC letter this is not now true:- "The addition of the Service Point is not to attract funding but to provide revenue for the Hall". So in order to provide premises for the Service Point the VHC and the COMMUNITY have to obtain/raise a considerable amount of money, the BULK of which WILL NOT BE SPENT ON PROVIDING JURA WITH A TRULY 'FIT FOR PURPOSE' COMUNITY CENTRE instead the majority of these funds will be spent on providing housing the Service Point????????????? Personally I would be very happy to do all that I could to raise funds for a really decent community centre but for an office block for the Service Point, I don't think so. I wonder what capital outlay will be needed for this part of this proposal and EXACTLY how much revenue it is expected to raise? Is there already a definate contract with the Service Point to use this extension, if not why not? If there isn't a contract this is a very expensive hook for the VHC to hang the communities hat on on the off chance that revenue will be forthcoming in the future. And is the Service Point going to come up with any cash other than the aforementioned revenue? And what about the good old parking issue, this, once again, is brilliantly ignored. Parking, forget it, the whole thing is totally BARKING.
Gael Force from Craighouse
Jura is spelt with a 'J' not a 'D', so let's move into the 21st centuary but regardless of that, why cannot 'old stock' make a comment about the main issue? Gael Force - come out!! According to local gossip, there will be a new car park starting in April 2007, next to the Village Hall, at very little cost! HA HA HA, fall over laughing!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why is it that people are coming into the shop and agreeing with me about the blog but will not say so, by way of comment? COME ON THE SENSIBLE ISLANDERS, SPEAK YOUR MIND!
Stephen from Isle of Jura
Stephen , that is my main issue I'm too old to bother with local politics. A cup of tea in the Antlers, a dance in the Hall and my trusted steed left safely in the new car park, what more could a bodach ask for.
Old Stock from Jura
The Mv Queen Mary currently in Long Beach, California is looking for a new home. PERFECT ! Ball Room - The Hall Restaurant - The Antlers Berths - Bunk House Main Lounge - Service Point What a tourist attraction, think of the funding.
Little smurf from Craighouse
Old Stock - If you were that old, it would be a half bottle outside the hall, Antlers didn't exist and the wife had got fed up of waiting in the new car park and gone home. NOW I'M RAVING, KNOCK DOWN THE HALL AND BUILD A NEW ONE ON THE SITE OF THE ANTLERS. Never mind the JDT, IATE or HALL COMMITTEE, THEY ALL TALK A LOAD OF TWADDLE. Each says the other is not prepared to talk. RUBBISH, thay all need a good kick up the a**e. What none of them seem to appreciate is what gealforce said, THEY ALL BELONG TO THE FOLK OF JURA. NOT the individual (so called) organisations. POWER TO THE PEOPLE OF JURA. Just to let you know, according to a member of the hall committee, it does not matter what the latest vote turns out to be, the Hall Committee is going to press ahead with redevelopment anyway, even if the majority say NO. Democracy RULES, yet again on JURA.
Stephen from Isle of Jura
Calm yoursef Stephen, everything comes to those who wait.
Rev. A. Lation from Somewhere near you
Oh Steven the Antlers opened it's doors over 30 years ago when I was handsome young man. It is a terrible thing age it only seems like yesterday. I only hope I'm around for the opening of the new Antlers - although on my pension eating out is a luxury. I suppose it will be all modern, cafe latte's and herbal tea! och och the times they are a changing.
Old Stock from Jura
These prices are following the trend of ripoff public contracts like the 'palace' at Holyrood. Decent timber frame kit houses can be built, including foundations and all fitments, for under 拢100k. I would think that a basic hall could be done for the same budget. OK add the island factor and you get 拢200k. OK add some more for luck and you get 拢300k - it's still a lot less than 拢1m. There's oodles of Lottery and development grants out there. raise 拢150k, get matched funding for the other half or buy the kit for 拢150k and build it yourself using building college apprentices and volunteer builders who would love to spend a summer on the island for a good cause. Kit log buildings can be built with very basic skills. Start a hall fund and maybe the distillery could make a large contribution towards the cost as a gesture to the island. Best of luck.
Carpe Deum from Isle of Scotland
Carpe Deum, you must be wrong about the oodles of Lottery and development grants available 'cos our Village Hall Committee says that it just isnt so!!!!! Perhaps you could point them in the right direction - but possibly there is no point in trying to get through to them 'cos it seems to be a case of 'don't confuse the issue with facts because our minds are made up'. Jura is rapidly becoming the island of lost opportunities due to the lack of willingness by the leaders of all these groups, JDT, IatE, JCC, VHC, who are supposed to be working for the betterment of the island to actually listen to what the community says, they are all becoming power crazy and really only care about being able to say "I am chairperson of this, secretary of that, etc. etc. Sad as it is for these people to get together and work as a team would mean less individual kudos and position so it won't happen.
Gael Force from Craighouse
peet the feet rules the island and any other coments can b forwarded 2 me and i will deal with u.........................
buddahkm@hotmail.com from glasgow
Anyone know the result of the vote regarding the village hall yet? There is a rumour going round (and it is only a rumour so if anyone knows the FACTS please share them with us) that the Service Point, after spending so much money on converting the School House, does not want to move to the village hall - it seems that they don't want to spend any more money on alternative premises - if this is so then you can forget about any contributions to the village hall refurbishment and office block building fund from that direction. Has someone seriously jumped the gun here! It is also rumoured that there is no pressure on the Service Point to move anyway 'cos the new teacher, being an essential worker, will get one of the new houses at the care centre. The plot thickens!
Gael Force from Craighouse
old stock: ... "what more could a bodach ask for?" How about an international airport? Coll has got one (or does it!?): why not Jura? Of course, the Jura residents would have to agree on where to put it ...
mjc from NM,USA
What about that house on the hill, Ballard? Is there not land there? Used to be some view from up there when we used to visit as kids?
Angus from Glasgow
Angus, do you think a very distant cousin from across the ocean, in the middle of the desert, would be allowed a nominal bid on that house? I promise not to put any signage, not to ask for lights and a parking lot, or my share of Bluebeard's booty (if it is found on the island), and not to raise my voice at any organizational meeting on the island for a full week (seven full days and nights: I don't open my mouth on the Sabbath on heathenly matters anyway).
mjc from NM,USA
Sorry Angus and mjc from NM,USA but the area of beautiful Ballard is now in the hands of a property developer. A nominal bid just won't even scratch the surface on this deal buddies, you will need BIG, BIG BUCKS, bigger than Bluebeards pathetic little booty to get yourself even a toe hold!
Backward Hillbilly from Craighouse
Haven't been in Jura for years. Big bucks in Jura????? Are you kidding? I wouldn't have thought the land could be sold?
Angus from Glasgow
dear, dear - what's Jura coming to?! Hopefully the citizens of Jura will get their act together and kill the project in council ... after a full airing out of all the negatives, of course! Or has the developer promised a new City Hall, a Starbucks, not to mention abundant signage and a Parking Lot?
mjc from NM,USA
Backward Hillbilly - Covet not thy neighbours goods.
Rev. A. Lation from nearer than you think
Rev. A. Lation: do you own a chainsaw as well? Or do you have time share on one with Barebraes from Shapinsay? # Backward Hillbilly, you may wish to check with Whitesettler about terms for shared residency in his bolt hole.
mjc from NM,USA
mjc: are you are speaking in tongues?
Rev. A. Lation from a distance
Rev a Latte: not speaking in tongues just yet, but I am working on it. My above utterances are in short hand, and presume (erroneously, quite possibly) an acquaintance with other blogs (e.g. Barebraes/FC, or Lerwick Trevor's and Whitesettler peregrinations therein).
mjc from NM,USA
Tut, Tut, Tut, Brother Rev. A. Lation, I thought that poor old Backward Hillbilly was just stating the case and not being covetous. We in the cleargy really should guard against being patronising and pompous. Don't forget, judge not least you yourself be judged. Havn't we all got off the main subject? What are the views on the recently published vote on the future of the Village Hall?
Arch Bishop S.I.N.Ickle from superior to Rev.A.Lation
Pappa don't preach, ok Archie.
Rev. A. Lation from the rest and be thankful
Pot and kettle are the words that spring to mind Rev. But I'd still like to know what folk think about Village Hall fiasco
Arch Bishop S.I.N.Ickle from over and above Rev.A.Lation
All agog with expectation re: news on the Jura Village Hall future. Rumor at last year's Fank was that the decision was reached (after much gnashing of teeth and spraying with holy water) to excavate the original village hall, and refurbish it in the modern style. Costs have been deemed to be an item only non-islanders would worry about (perhaps because they would be footing the bill?!). The need perceived by some for a parking lot will be met by digging under the original structure, and tarring the basement garage floor using the same company that did Coll International. The costs for this added convenience would be footed by a grant from Bruxelles.
mjc from NM,USA
Archie: whatever will be will be.
Rev. A. Lation from pulpit hill
Three comitties the mays empire and many daft ideas, 100 seat cafe and a monstrosity of a glass house replacement for the antlers would it be beter to have one comunity building with leasure facilaties comunity hall run by the comunity and not the mays empire that would have be elected by regular public elections
Golden goose from Jura
Would the Golden Goose, or anyone, care to tell me what "the mays empire" means?
mjc from NM,USA
mjc the reference to Mays Empire should be Mayes Empire and it refers to a person on Jura who is Chairperson of the IATE Committee and acting Chair for the JDT.
IKnowitall from Some where on Jura
Thanks iKnowitall. Now, I know something more!
mjc from NM,USA
And the something more may be roughly thus - "I'm so glad I don't live there." How does a person get voted a) onto a committee and b) as chairperson? Sleight of hand? Magic?
Flying Cat from a log cabin in the West
The enforcer, a Lee Marvin type character (cf. Who Killed Liberty Valance, etc.), whip in hand and Colt 44 at the hip, walks up and down Main Street announcing the results? # Do the dead vote in the islands (they vote at times in the States, for the law does not specifically forbid them to!)? How are the chairpersons and committee members removed: after drinks at the local pub and the setting up of a lynching party? or is the procedure something less fun and more devious?
mjc from NM,USA
In the West, it's probably the latter...
Flying Cat from A Northern Fastness
Voted on? What's that? Naw, all you have to do is have the biggest mouth and slap the table a lot, you can run everything on Jura then. People are not voted onto these sudo comittees, they put themselves on and then promote themselves while all the other little munchkins there, rub their hands and say AYE, Aye with heads bowed and grovelling, pityful looks on their faces. Oh sorry, I forgot to add BLANK.
IKnowitall from Some where on Jura
sorry for butting in on this merry banter but is the same hall that was there in 1986,the year i left jura?,has it had any work at all done on it since?best regards to anyone who remembers me.
A Sharples from chorley
Hello Allan I do remember you very well, nice to know some of the old pub team are still alive and kicking. Yes the Hall is the same one you spent many a night in and yes it was renovated back in 1989. Why not come back and visit, you know you want to.
A Living Legend from The same old place
Living on the Isle of Jura
RSS Feed