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We hope to be all to keep the community up-to-date with our activities and progress during our period of Office. We will therefore endeavour to produce a newsletter at least twice a year.
We will attempt to negotiate with relevant authorities to ensure that the village of Kyleakin remains as pleasant a place to live in.
To do this, we need the active participation of the whole community, both private individuals and local businesses.
We will do all in our power to preserve those amenities that are of value who the village.
Where there are conflicts of opinions between organisations, businesses and individuals, we will provide a discussion forum where concerns can be raised and solutions or compromises reached.
The commemorative issue of the Kyleakin Times in the West Highland Free Press earlier this year merely touched on the Kyleakin Village life. It made us realise just how little many of us know of our Village. There are, however, many residents in the village the could enlighten us.
We hope, through the newsletter, to allow local people, and others who have left or have any connections with the Village, to record in print a history of the village.
We would also include a record of present day developments which in time would be of interest to future generations. Many families who have left the area may be invested in local developments.
Descendants of those who have emigrated may be interested in how their native village has changed.
How do we reach those who are interested? In this day of modern technology the
Internet were allow us to reach many of these people.
We hope eventually have a Kyleakin website where anyone can have access to the newsletter,
community Council minutes, information on village developments, photographic records,
tourist services, forthcoming events, local group activities etc.
The newsletter cannot be produced without your help. We hope you'll support this
venture.
It is some two years since the committee was formed, with a need to provide the
community with a larger multipurpose flexible facility and sited in a more appropriate
location to suit the needs of this growing community. Plans for which are now on
view in the Old School window.
The success of the project depends largely on attracting 50% of the total project costs,
£613,121, from the major source [Lottery Money]. As financial commitments already
promised depend on receiving 50% funding. Having already be turned down by 21st. Century
Halls for Scotland, a superior application has been submitted to the third and final
round, the result of which is expected this month. Should this be unsuccessful, and
application is being prepared for National Lotteries Charities Board.
An application has also gone out to Lloyd's T.S.B. A grant of £ 12,870 has been received
from Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise in respect of half of what has already been spent on
service and professional and planning fees for the project.
The community is required to contribute 10% of the project costs and have already reached
this target, thanks in no small measure to the support shown in raising £35,710 in two
years. Along with the sale valuation of the old Hall at £15,000, existing Village
Hall funds of £11,000 pledged to the project, and ongoing fund raising, including Gala
Day 99, will add up to well in excess of £ 61,312.
The team into the first and second places in the rural schools trophy in May.
So take a bow-Jamie McKinnon, Angus Graham, Thomas McKenzie, Paul Macaskill, Alasdair
Nisbett, Iain Macleod, Laura Neild, Mairi-Anne Macleod, Sarah Jane Reid,
Scott Graham (first place)
Alasdair Nisbett (second place)
Sarah Corrigall primary 4 (7th place)
Once again Kyleakin youngsters performed well.
Congratulations to - Jonathan MacLeannan-second place in the Solo competition and Alasdair
Nisbett-third place on the Chanter at the provincial Mod in March.
The club has enjoyed a successful season, winning The South of League. The
Overall Skye and Lochalsh League and the Findlayson cup, played for by teams in South Skye
and Lochalsh.
Five members were selected to represent Scotland. Roddy Morrison, Kenny McPherson
and Donald Adams travelled to Norwich to compete in The British Isle Championships the,
While Alan Grant and Chris McKinnon went to Ireland. Members from the club regularly
enter competitions in Dumfries, Stonehaven and Inverness.
Juniors where encouraged to come along this year and 6 youngsters play on a regular basis
each Tuesday and Friday at 630 p.m. in the village Hall. The improvement in their
played this year has been encouraging and their displays in Open Singles, Pairs and
Triples in Portree (Open to all bowlers in Skye and Lochalsh) deserve special mention.
So take a bow-Alasdair Nisbett, Paul Macaskill, Scott Graham, Jamie McKinnon, Jonathan McKinnon and Ross Findlayson.
Playing has ceased for the summer but will start again in September, when new members, both young and old will be made most welcome.
The team won the Shinty Trophy. So take a bow-Scott Graham, Alasdair Nisbett, Jamie McKinnon, Alasdair MacLeannan, John Davie, Steven Morrison, Paul Macaskill and Jonathan McKinnon. Congratulations to all our youngsters and good luck next year!
Millennium fundingThe community Council have been applying for various millennium grants which will enable us to enhance the village amenities. So far we have obtained funding landscape and the area between the Roundabout and the stone wall village "gateway". As this is seasonal, work will be coontinued until the autumn and should be in bloom early in the millennium.
You may have noticed they were late in arriving this year. This has been due to cuts in the Council budget. Maintenance costs were in the past to the community. In order to cut these costs Kyle and Kyleakin obtained the use of a Bowser and are now looking for volunteers to operate it. A number of volunteers have already watered the baskets. Actual watering time is one hour, but additional time is required to collect the equipment and fill up with water.
There is an ongoing problem with the out-fall pipe becoming blocked, causing sewerage
to build up in the system. The cause has been identified by SEPA as solidification
of waste fat in the system. Everyone in the community is asked to take extreme care
with flat disposal. Commercial organisations should have a fat trap or alternative
method of collection. Private households are asked to refrain from the quick squirt
of washing up liquid followed by a flush hot water. This may send the fat on its way
from your sink but it will solidify further on in the system.
A representative from SEPA will be present at our meeting in August.
When so many of our youngsters are excelling in sport and leisure activities, it is disappointing to have to turn your attention to the recent increase in vandalism withing the village.
Several vehicles have been seriously damaged while being parked on the outskirts of the village by children aged between 7 and 15. Such was the damage sustained that a number of the vehicles have now been written off.
Conscious of the long-term consequences of young children incurring a criminal record, albeit as minors, the owner of the vehicles is reluctant to prosecute, despite the fact that he suffered considerable financial loss. An agreement had been reached over compensation with some parents, and all the children involved having warned by the Police.
There has also been vandalism to benches and water features within Kyle House Gardens. Individual vandals have not been identified.
Within the village, sign posting is constantly been interfered with and, due to reduce funding, it is unlikely Highland Council will be able to repair or replace these signs.
We are still experiencing the problem of broken bottles on the foreshore. This is a danger to young children and animals.
All residents are therefore asked to be vigilant regarding their property and to report any damage to any member of the Community Council or the Police if they so wish.
We intend to do our utmost to maintain the policy of zero tolerance to vandalism.
How would you feel if the windows of your car were smashed tonight or you were faced with a veterinary bill for your dog's cut paw. Or your child came home badly cut?
Don't forget the Kyleakin Gala Day on Saturday 7th August!
Carol Ann Stewart, who has been our Secretary this past year has moved to Broadford and will shortly be resigning as Secretary as she is shortly to have a baby. We wish her and her husband all the best and thank her for her hard this past year.
Do you remember?
Will anyone who has ideas or articles for the newsletter please contact Anne on 01599 534472 any evening. Old or new interesting photographs and possible stories would help to provide an interesting focus for the newsletter. All photographs will be scanned and returned within the week.
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Copyright (c) Ray Shields, 2000.
Most recent revision, 05 March 2006