The importance of Land
All this talk of Land got me thinking today.
We are lucky enough to live on a small croft, not mine but my parents – but we are just starting to use it. Yesterday we spent the afternoon working in and around our polytunnel, the boys played in the burn, got soaked and had great fun. We dug and planted – my eldest who has just started to write, wrote the names of the plants on their tags – my youngest dug holes and ended up black with mud (he looked fab!) Today my partner is breaking up wood he got for building a fence – and his son is out with the loppers cutting back rhodedendrons and whin bushes. He’s 13 – and it occurred to me that if we didn’t have this space, this land at our fingertips, he would most likely be inside playing his Xbox or watching tv. But he’s out there, and is enjoying himself immensely!
Look at what they are learning, how to plant and grow, how to write, how to maintain the land, all while getting exercise and enjoying themselves.
Land – so important its got a capital L!
Meetings, meetings, talks and meetings
Been a while since I blogged so here goes as a few things spring into my mind.
Firstly, we had our first meeting in an outlying area , in Onich. The hotel we had it in was very accommodating, and although I always worry we’ll have nothing to talk about, we ended up running over! Loads of vibrant chat about campaigning, and educating, and empowering ourselves. I always come away from these meeting feeling more enthused, more inspired, by the amazing women that gather – to continue getting out there and keeping the fires burning! Saying that – here’s what we are doing next : –
Then we held our first event, where Lesley Riddoch visited us as part of her Highland White Blossom Mini Tour. Everyone helped out with setting up, baking, making teas and coffees, promoting, arranging PA’s, making leaflets, taking tickets, and clearing up – making it a very successful night, with approx. 100 attendees. This was just the sort of thing Lesley talked about, co- operatives and making things happen – people power. Lesley is a very strong speaker and spoke with authority and humour. She spoke about a lot of the subjects in her book ‘Blossom’ (i’ll touch on some briefly, read the book!) – including the community buy out of Eigg, and West Whitelawburn Estate – where the tenants basically bought their own property (using a grant available at the time) as a co-op and now use the rents to improve it. All pretty amazing stuff when you think that just ordinary people achieved these things. Not lawyers or politicians, but ordinary folk – clubbing together for the better good of their communities. Makes you wonder. And Land Reform came up, which Lesley has been recently campaigning strongly for. With just fewer than 500 people owning half of Scotland, we should all be taking an interest and getting involved. (Land festival anyone?)
Unfortunately I missed the Jim Sillars talks, but from all accounts he was incredibly inspiring and brought a tear to the eye! I will also be away for Ivan McKee when he’s here on the 10th of April – again a well versed man who will be talking about The Economic (and Social) case against Austerity.
I was also at a Lochaber Greens meeting, where local man John Hutchison was also talking about Land Reform – having been involved in it for many years. John was involved with the community buy out on Knoydart (and Eigg) and is also involved with The Scottish Rural Parliament now. I’ve only just recently met John, but he is extremely knowledgeable on the subject (and many other things to boot!) and is a good advocate for talent on your doorstep!
And after all that – we have Tommy Sheridan and Lesley Jarrett in Ballachulish on the 18th of April! Love or loath him – you can’t deny Tommy is a powerful speaker!
So, generally a busy time here – and having never been involved in politics before – i’m wondering now – is it always like this? Do we normally have all these talks and meetings in the area in election year, or are we really in changed times? I hope its the latter, everyone seems so engaged, the campaign is vibrant and exciting – how could I have missed this in the past?
Nationalism: specifically, Scottish nationalism
Today, I have one tiny thing I need to say: I am sick and tired of people condemning Scottish nationalism like Scots are a bunch of terrorists needing to be stomped out, but having no problem with any other form of nationalism.
In America, no one bats an eye at the sight of an American flag in front of a house, nor criticises someone for wanting to protect and defend our way of life, nor proclaims openly how much they love their country–and that’s coming from a country that really has no definitive culture of its own since it’s made up of immigrants who brought over all of their own traditions and cultures.
In the UK, British nationalism seems praised. Not as highly as in America, but still to be proud of being British doesn’t seem like something anyone is shamed for. And I’d even argue that the English are…
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Gold Dust
“You may write me down in history,
With your bitter twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I rise”
– Maya Angelou
***Next Meeting – Onich Hotel – 27th March @ 7pm***
Lesley Riddoch in Kilmallie Hall
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Carol Anne pulled off a bit of a coup last week and managed to get Lesley Riddoch to add Fort William to her Highland White Blossom mini tour. We have joined forces with Common Weal Lochaber to host this event in Kilmallie Hall on Sunday 29th March at 7pm. We are all very excited to meet Lesley and hear what she has to say. Copies of her book will also be on sale on the night.
Tickets to this event are FREE and available at https://lochaberblossom.eventbrite.co.uk. They are going fast so be quick! There will be a wait list to join when they sell out so don’t be disappointed if you miss out at first, you may still manage to get one. Its shaping up to be an entertaining evening so come and join us
Lochaber Women for Independence 