DISTRICT NEWS

JURA

A group campaigning for marine conservation and sustainable use of the sea has just become a Scottish registered charity.

Friends of the Sound of Jura, formed in 2017, relies on a hardworking team of volunteers and is continually looking for more people to help.

Skills in demand are media, applying for grants, project management, photography, marine science and education.

‘You can get involved on many levels – whether you want to do some desk research or campaigning from home. You don’t have to be on the shores of the Sound of Jura to get involved,’ said a group spokesperson.

A volunteer is also needed to coordinate regular beach cleaning anywhere there is access to the shoreline on both sides of the Sound of Jura as well as Loch Sween.

Anyone who would like to get involved with surveying the area’s seabed should also get in touch.

Email info@friendsofthesoundofjura.org.uk

DALMALLY

Dalmally Agricultural Society has its annual general meeting tonight, Thursday January 23, at 7.30pm at the golf club.

DALAVICH

Dalavich Social Club has its annual general meeting on Saturday February 1 at 7.30pm in the village hall.

Dates for this year’s Loch Stock Festival are May 8 to May 10 at the social club.

MULL

Mull Safe and Sound wants to hear from groups or people organising get-togethers to breakdown isolation and help people make new friends.

The project is working on a list of groups and organisations on the island and neighbouring Iona so it can publish a booklet which will be kept mainly in GP consulting rooms and the community hospital.

Those behind the project are

hoping it will encourage people to lift their heads ‘a little higher’ and develop friendships and make connections, helping life to feel less isolating.

Whether it is people who meet up for a knit and natter, mums who like motorbikes or anyone who plunges into wild swimming, Mull Safe and Sound would like to hear from them, to be included in the booklet.

Email safesoundsally@hotmail. com with a brief description of when, where and how participants meet up and include contact

details. ‘By including your group, you will be helping to make another human feel included and that they matter,’ said a Mull Safe and Sound spokesperson.

TOBERMORY

Tobermory Guides are hosting an Aussie Afternoon Tea on January 26 at the Scout Hall to mark Australia Day. All money raised will go towards the welfare of the surviving animals and the Australian Country Fire Service Volunteers.

Refreshments will be served between 2.30pm and 4.30pm. Entry by donation.

BARCALDINE

A £50,000 road safety project to install a new barrier on a corner north of Barcaldine, as well as new warning signs on the bend and its approaches, began on Monday (January 20) on the A828.

The new barrier has been designed to protect road users from roadside hazards and the installation of the

signs will raise greater road user awareness of the bends ahead.

The work will take up to two weeks and the A828 will remain open, however, temporary traffic lights and a 30mph speed limit will be in place throughout.

LOCHDON

Shortbread and Scottish dancing is on the menu at Lochdon Primary School’s themed community cafe

on Monday January 27 from 2pm until 3pm.

MG ALBA (the Gaelic Media

STORNOWAY

Service) has announced the appointment of Ealasaid MacDonald to the post of director of strategy and external affairs.

The newly-created post will take a leading role in nurturing important stakeholder relationships and

in developing a renewed Lèirsinn (Vision) with partners for the future of Gaelic media. The post will also take a lead role in proposing and delivering strategies for transformation as MG ALBA and its partners face increasing levels of challenge and opportunity in the media sector.

Ealasaid will take up the role in Stornoway, starting on January 27.

Originally from Eriskay and South Uist, Ealasaid previously

worked in policy for Renfrewshire Council and has been living and working in the Isle of Lewis for the past five years as a freelance policy and public affairs consultant.

Donald Campbell, chief executive of MG ALBA, said: ‘This is a time of unprecedented change for us.

‘Ealasaid will be a fantastic addition to our senior management team and we’re excited that she is joining us.’