Minutes of Executive Committee Meeting

held on 13th September, 2004, at 13.00 hours at Port-na-Con

 

Present:                                 E. Meyer, A. Marsham, L. Black

 

Agenda

 

1.                  Minutes of Committee Meeting, Monday, 2nd August, 2004

 

Minutes of Committee Meeting, Monday, 2nd August 2004 having previously been distributed there were no matters arising.

 

2.                  Letters / mails sent

 

06.08.   James Clark                             Sponsorship

06.08.   Charles Marsham                     Sponsorship

06.08.   Ian Wilson                               Sponsorship

03.09.   Alfred Walker                          Notification of Meeting

11.09.   Sergio Blanco                           Sponsorship

11.09.   Wm. Campbell & Sons Sponsorship

11.09.   Sango Sands Oasis                   Sponsorship

11.09.   Loch Croispol Bookshop           Sponsorship

11.09.   Richard MacKay & Sons          Sponsorship

11.09.   Mather Shop                            Sponsorship

11.09.   Kenny MacRae & Sons            Sponsorship

11.09.   Port-Na-Con Guest House        Sponsorship

11.09.   Smoo Cave Hotel                     Sponsorship

 

Sponsorship pledges had been received from James Clark, (Eriboll Estate), Ian Wilson (Durness Estate) and Charles Marsham (Rispond Estate).

 

3.                  Letters / mails received

 

13.08.   HMS Hood Association            Pictures

19.08.   HMS Hood Association            Sponsorship for Shoot

 

The HMS Hood Association has presented 2 Pictures – they are limited prints of HMS Hood in action. One is to go aboard HMS Sutherland, the other is to be retained by the Residents’ Association; this picture is likely to go to the Tourist Information Office in Durness as there is nowhere in Laid this can be kept on display.

 

In addition to the pictures the Hood Association also sent £100 donation towards the HMS Hood Memorial Shoot.

 

4.                  Laid Postal Address

 

Postwatch have no problem with the change, but to date there had been no response whatsoever from the Council – not even an acknowledgement of the Secretary’s letter.

 

5.                  Scrap Metal / Trailer in Quarry

 

Hugh Morrison has been asked again to remove the trailer, but to date it is still there.

 

6.                  Footpath to Hood Stones

 

D. Barclay, the Council’s ‘Footpaths Officer’ tried to walk the site, but it was in the worst weather for some time, and has also studied the OS map. He does not perceive any problems.

 

Laid Grazings have requested a discreet path, which was agreed, and D. Barclay has suggested that small flagstones / markers be strategically placed so that a natural pathway can be formed. Hopefully this ill be started in the Spring.

The Souterain is to be cleaned and cleared as it is now an ‘Historic Monument’ but because any work now to be undertaken has to go through ‘Historic Scotland this will be a slow process.

The Community Council in conjunction with the Laid Resident’s Association is considering a proposed pathway from the Bealoch track down to the Souterain. It is suggested that along the track there will be a crossroad sign and another track leading up to the Hood Stones then back to the main road, there would also be a continuation up to the Wheelhouse.

 

7.                  Laid connection to Inverness shopping bus

 

Apparently there is a connection and Iris will pick up anyone wishing to go – she just needs to know the night before. A letter is to go to all Laid residents advising them of this service.

 

8.                  HMS Sutherland

 

The ship will be arriving at 9:00 am on 14th September. Eddie Meyer has been trying to contact the ship but to no avail.

The plan for the shoot is to take all heavy equipment on board Nimrod on the Monday night for transfer on the day of the shoot.

 

9.                  HMS Hood Memorial Shoot

 

Approximately 15 guns are going on board at 11:00 am, returning at 4:00 pm. Coastguard dingy will be used to ferry persons to / from Nimrod if necessary.

 

10.              Any Other Business

 

Laid Water Supply:            It was noted that there had been application in the local press for the works to be undertaken at the Laid water supply, but no one was aware of what exactly what was to be done. It was hoped that the Fire Hydrants for Laid would be installed at the same time.

 

Mobile Telephone Mast:     The mast above Loch Eriboll farm was working for all of one hour during one day of the previous week. Apparently, damage was caused during construction and if was being repaired. However, at present it is for O2 users only and there was no consideration of allowing other providers to use the same mast.

Time will tell.

 

 

There being no other business the meeting was closed at 13:45 hours.