After reporting that some sort of Common Sense had miraculously taken over from the insanity, it seems that those in power have taken umbrage, and are determined to see a fence installed on Rothesay's pier "By any means necessary".

Having failed to achieve their initial aim of a three metre steel fence topped with barbed wire, necessary to meet the increased threat of terrorism, the new plan is to install a mere two metre fence, and forget the barbed wire - and it seems it will be a nice, calming blue.

This seems to contradict the last report from a few weeks ago, where we were quoted:

“I confirm that there is now no question of our erecting a permanent structure – it simply is not going to happen.”

So said councillor Duncan MacIntyre, Argyll & Bute Council transport spokesperson, as quoted in this week’s Buteman article on the subject of the proposed 3 metre steel security fence and its topping of three strands of barbed wire.

This new structure is to be installed on Health & Safety ground, apparently because there is a risk that ropes being thrown to the shore from vessels which are berthing might hit people standing on the pier, and make sure the public can't get access to the machinery of the passenger gangway.

Tim Saul, the chairman of Bute Marketing and Tourism Ltd, told The Buteman: "I suppose it's a better compromise than a three metre high Colditz-style barrier, but I suspect there will still be some very vocal criticism - especially since piers have been operating quite happily for years and years and years with no need for fences any more than four feet high."

Alan Reid, Bute's Westminster MP and Liberal Democrat, said he still needed to be convinced that such a fence is really necessary under health and safety legislation, "Earlier in the summer the council announced their intention to build a three-metre fence, saying that it was a legal requirement. After a public outcry they changed their mind. Now, without any prior warning, they've started work on a two-metre fence. I have asked the council why they think this fence is necessary."

The fence is reported to be costing some £21,000.

The new fence is already being built, whether or not this means it was just started without planning permission or whatever approvals and authorisations, if needed, I don't know. You can read the details available at the moment in this week's Buteman article.

At the moment though (and I will be happy to be corrected as I have no access to further information), it looks as if two of the Jobsworth's favourite tools have been pulled out of the hat: One; start the job without asking, then you shift the focus from what you've done to that of the protesters - and blame them for the cost of rectification, and Two; cite Health & Safety as the justification, because then you point out that if anyone is subsequently injured as a result of the protesters' success, you can point the blame back at them.

more animals

So said councillor Duncan MacIntyre, Argyll & Bute Council transport spokesperson, as quoted in this week's Buteman article on the subject of the proposed 3 metre steel security fence and its topping of three strands of barbed wire.

The fence was initially claimed to be needed to comply with the Department of Transport’s ‘Transec’ policy on the protection of passengers, ports and shipping. Then, in the face of the resultant outcry, it transpired that things might not be quite right and that this insanity had been dreamed up by someone who had been reading the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, which applies to ships larger than five hundred gross tonnes in weight, and making voyages in international waters. Quite which of their brain cells was responsible for equating this code to the likes of Bute ferries will probably never be known, but it should be pensioned off sharpish if it is ever found.

While the news is welcome, after reading the carefully chosen words of the authority, I find myself remaining concerned about the future for free access to the area of Rothesay pier by members of the public - that's you and me.

I dislike articles dependent on carefully selected short quotes, generally taken out of context to change their meaning, and commend you to read the full article to confirm that while I am indeed making a few carefully selected quotes, these are only for the purpose of review.

From the first quote given above, we have a specific reference to "no question of our erecting a permanent structure", which leaves the door open for temporary structures.

The Buteman article begins with a similar observation, and notes that senior officials and council member met and "quickly came to the conclusion that there was no need for a permanent barrier". Again, ruling out only a permanent structure.

The door remains open for future developments under the hysterical anti-terror banner, as councillor MacIntyre went on to say the authority was now "seeking to agree a measured approach in full consultation with local members".

Whatever happens in future, perhaps the last word is best left with the statement Tim Saul, chairman of Isle of Bute Marketing and Tourism Ltd, gave to The Buteman, "This is a very welcome development - perhaps common sense has prevailed after a fleeting instance of insanity."

We've been following develpments along the pier at Rothesay, following the announcement that it would be taking on the appearance of the Clyde's own little Alcatraz, complete with a 3 metre steel plated fence with three strands of barbed wire along the top. Just the sort of welcome to bring the tourists (and their wallets rolling in).

There's more news this week, to the effect that the fence is not only on hold to allow a review to take place, but that the whole thing might just be the insane dream of some demented little Jobsworth, bent on applying the rules come hell or high water.

Bute councillor Robert Macintyre perhaps summed things up more tactfully, "I think the regulations have been somewhat misinterpreted by our officials", when quote in this week's Buteman.

The issue, which arose recently, appears to stem from the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, which applies to ships larger than five hundred gross tonnes in weight, and making voyages in international waters.Clearly neither of these criteria apply to the ferries making the half hour crossing from the Scottish mainland to the Isle of Bute, a Scottish island, so hardly an international destination.

Councillor Macintyre was further quoted as saying, "At this stage I would say there is some dubiety about the height of, and maybe even the need for, a fence".

We can only echo the councillor's further words, where he said he failed to understand the need for this vast array of change, especially since the Bute ferries had berthed overnight at Rothesay pier for many years.

All the developments (and ongoing works), of recent years have changed what used to be a nice place to stand and enjoy the view, together with being able to stand reasonably close to the various vessels were arriving and departing, into a rather unwelcoming place anyway, and it would be nice to have the ending of the works and restrictions as something to look forward to. The attached pics of the current renovation works might make those unfamiliar with the spot wonder what there is to look at, as the place resembles something of a building site, and has since the see wall was built a few years ago, marking the start of most of the civil engineering works (which included a new end-loading linkspan for the ferries), but these are transient, and will be gone in a few years. When that happens, a view across the harbour and bay would be nice, not a slab of metal and some barbed wire.

Back in the days when the biggest upset was the building of the sea wall referred to above, the bringers of doom warned that the new sea wall would block all views of the bay, and ruin the outlook forever. While this was never going to happen - the wall just wasn't high enough - 3 metres plus wire topping would be enough to spoil things on the front, and not just for those on shore, those arriving would have little to applaud in the new view.

Following our spotting of last week's story about the plan to erect a 3 metre steel fence topped with three rows of barbed wire on Rothesay pier, to bar public access, it seems that there has been sufficient outcry at this brilliant plan (it seem to forget that anyone can get on the ferry by buying a ticket, or get on the island anywhere else along its open shores) for a temporary hold to have been put on the plan.

The fence was due to be put up between July 22 and August 18, but there will now be a delay while the design, and neccessity, of the fence is given further consideration by those responsible.

Full detail of the revised situation, and the opportunity to register and make your opinion known can be found on the Buteman site.

Time was that you could get up in the morning and amble off to Bute/Rothesay for the day without much pre-planning, then "security" and undisclosed Government security requirements brought us "shore ticketing. Previously you just arrived and drove on to the ferry and bought your tickets from the Purser during the crossing, now you have to turn up early enough to buy your tickets from the ticket office on land, and there's a whole raft of new rules and regulations that came along with that change too, which the unwary or inexperienced can fall foul of.

Now, it seems that Rothesay pier is to be permanently closed to the public by an eight foot high security fence topped with barbed wire, and it's due to be installed mid-August, the busiest time of the year as the Bute Highland Games take place then. The fence will stretch from the Albert Pier to the moorings, with gaps for passengers and vehicles.

The fence will be supported by 3-metre tall steel posts, spaced at 3 metre intervals, carrying welded mesh steel sheets 2.5 metres high, and topped of by three strands of barbed wire.

The fence is said to be needed to comply with the Department of Transport's 'Transec' policy on the protection of passengers, ports and shipping.

The question of Planning Permission for the installation was raised, but brought the response that it would probably be classified as "permitted development".

Councillor Isobel Strong added: "I think this is security gone mad. Do the powers that be think that Rothesay is in the forefront of international terrorism, and that a high fence with barbed wire is necessary?"

Brian Fulton, Caledonian MacBrayne's regional manager for Bute, said the decisions on the need for the fence and its erection and design had been taken without any involvement from the company.

(Maybe it's all a horrible mistake, and it's just a leaked proposal to protect the islanders from the drunken neds that think they can arrive on the island and behave as they please.)

Visit the Buteman web site, where you can read the full Outrage at Rothesay pier fence plan story and register to pass an opinion on this "wisdom".

You can see a few pics of the event in Zak's gallery for the 24th.

My vote goes for something sweet'n'sticky from the Electric Bakery:

Pic © Zak

The event takes place at Mount Stuart, the most stunning Victorian gothic house in Britain, and home of the Marquess of Bute, Johnny Bute. The house will host an invitation-only dinner on the Friday evening before the event, where local producers, suppliers and guests will be able to meet and discuss the event and its potential, after having had the opportunity to visit a number of local food businesses, such as Rothesay Creamery, Plan Farm, Green Tree Café, and Henshelwood's Fine Foods.

Johnny Bute will open the public event on the Saturday morning at 11 am, where the main attraction will be a farmer's market where visitors will be able to buy local produce from the island and surrounding areas. There will also be a number of family events, which will, of course, involve food if possible.

There will also be visits to the local schools, where the participants will be able to talk on subject relating to food production, and the benefits of sutainability.

I mention it after noticing some debate about whether or not it should be more publicly celebrated than it is, and comparing it to Remembrance Sunday,  the second Sunday of November, the Sunday nearest to November 11 (Remembrance Day), which is the anniversary of the end of the hostilities of the World War I at 11:00 am in 1918.

I also noticed that part of the debate observed that VE-Day meant nothing to many young people. I found that interesting after watching a news item this morning, which was exposing the apparently ineffective management of national school exam timetable, resulting in situations where pupils may be required to sit anything up to four exams in the one day, spending anything up to 7 hours under exam conditions. I've been there, most of have, and two would be more than enough, split between morning and afternoon. Heads should roll over something like this, as the folk collecting wages for running our exams are clearly incompetent, based on this, and  other fiascos they have have presided over recently.

Regardless of that, given the level of ignorance suggested, one is moved to ask what the surfeit of exams is aimed at, if the pupils are not even being taught basic modern history?

A Little Local Memorial

On a more positive note, I spotted some (relatively) local news of an act of remembrance for three submariners who lost their lives during a training exercise in a midget submarine in Loch Striven, just off Port Bannatyne on the Isle of Bute.

Operation of the X Craft was hazardous at best, but on March 5, 1945, even routine testing was to prove fatal. On this day, three of the crew of XE11 were lost during a routine operation.

A test dive, to calibrate the depth gauge was to be carried out. two crew would normally have been sufficient, but on this day, three extra crew were being carried to gain experience. Rising in 10 foot increments from a depth of 100 feet, the craft struck the keel of the Boom Defence vessel Norma, stationary and silent, just at the moment her screws began to turn. The craft's pressure hull was ruptured, and she sank to 210 feet. When the hatch was opened, two crew members were swept out by the escaping air and recovered on the surface. Sadly, the remaining three crew members were unable to escape. Their bodies were recovered by divers the next day, along with the craft, and laid to rest in Rothesay cemetery.

At 210 feet, the event is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the deepest unaided ascent from a sunken submarine.

In 2005, a small memorial garden was opened during other events on the island, held to mark the 60th anniversary of VE-Day. The ceremony was attended by the surviving crew member who related the story of the escape, Bill Morrison. (His personal account is the source of the date given above, March 5.)

In 2008, for the first time, those in attendance included the widow of ERA Les Swatton.

Those remembered:

• Lieutenant Aubrey Staples SANF (V), commanding officer
• Able Seaman J J Carroll
• Stoker E Higgins

Those who survived:

• First lieutenant, Sub-Lt Bill Morrison RNVR
• ERA Les Swatton

Parcă eu, acolo la televizor, dincolo de comentariul comentatorului ProTV, a lui Leonard Doroftei(băiatul B.U.G. de după bloguri), a lui Mihaiţă Leu(şoferul) şi a lui Bute(recentul boxer), am văzut altceva. Eu, amatorul, am văzut o neputinţă, în faţa unei dorinţe americane de a câştiga. Am văzut un individ ce refuza lupta aplecându-se(nu eschivând) încercând să conserve un avantaj minor la el acasă. Dacă i-a ieşit jocul? Da, recunosc, i-a ieşit, dar cu mult, foarte mult noroc. Însă nemeritat, conform păreri mele.

Totuşi ce m-a iritat cel mai mult, pe mine, ca spectator, a fost, nu prestaţia românului-canadian, ci prezenţa în sală a minunatului conducător al acestei mirifice ţări, preşedintele nostru, a tuturor cetăţenilor acestei ţări(ta-da), Traian Băsescu. Oare omul ăsta chiar nu are altceva mai bun decât să apară în public, cu scopul de a strânge pseudo-voturi? Oare chiar nu are o fărâmă de ruşine. Să stea, chiar acolo în primul rând ascultând imnul României intonat de o amatoare? Cireaşa de pe tort a fost, însă prezentatorul care a întrerupt-o pe această amatoare în timp ce cânta.

Mult balcanism. Da, balcanism domnule, un balcanism care a eclipsat boxul. Ciudat, noi, România nu suntem o ţară balcanică, dar la balcanism se vede că suntem campioni. Păcat că nu se acordă titluri sau centuri!

Bottom line: am trecut pe blogul Machiavellianului şi salut iniţiativa sa de a populariza noua acţiune a „Noilor Golani”. Deşi nu sunt de acord cu acţiunile lor de obicei, mai ales cu cele în care se sugerează că Republica Moldova ar trebui să fie parte a României, de această dată le susţin cauza. Eu sunt în Cluj Napoca, dar voi cei din Bucureşti ieşiţi acolo! Ieşiţi, vă rog pentru mine! Spuneţi-le nu! Spuneţi-le nu în faţă! Ne-am săturat de ei! Ne-am săturat de incompetenţă şi de împărţitul ciolanului!

With the support of the island's Ferry User Group, the carrier has noted that while it is a Lifeline Service Operator, and has a duty to ensure that people's right to be transported is upheld, their Conditions of Carriage will also be adhered to, and those who cause trouble will not be carried. Dossiers and records will be kept to identify repeat offenders and abusers of the service, and the services of the police employed as necessary to ensure the comfort and safety of staff, pier staff, crew and passengers.

The exhibition features the work of a legendary cartoonist from Rothesay, on the Isle of Bute, who kept many newspaper readers in Glasgow amused for almost half a century.

Willie Gall, who lived on the island for much of his life, but was born in Lanark, contributed some 9,000 cartoons to the Evening Times newspaper over 49 years, had the ability to spot the essence of the humour that was unique to Glasgow, and for making the locals laugh at themselves, and the best examples have been selected to appear in an exhibition being held at Glasgow's famous Mitchell Library.

Many will no doubt be reminded of their favourite Gall's Grin from the past.

Au début du mois de février j'ai passé quelques jours dans les gymnastes de boxe en compagnie des 10 meilleurs pugilistes au Québec. Voici un avant-midi avec deux d'entre eux.

 Comme je n’écoute pas la boxe habituellement je croyais que c’était comme dans les films ou dans les jeux de boxe ou il a de la pitoune.  Je me suis trompé il n’y avait pas de pitoune dans le ring.  Mais bon au moins à la dixième il l’a fini pas K.O., mais pas loin. Car je trouvais cela un peu long pour rien. 

Ce n’est pas quelque chose que je vais écouter fréquemment j’aime mieux écouter le Hockey que la boxe.

"Eu sunt campionul. Joppy a uitat ca a venit la Montreal, aici unde eu fac spectacolul"

"Vă mulţumesc din suflet pentru că aţi fost alături de mine. A fost o seară extraordinară. Am demonstrat lumii întregi că merit să fiu campion. Abia aştept să vin acasă!" (Lucian Bute, la finalul disputei cu Joppy)

Va recomand sa cititi:

Lucian Bute, model al reusitei

Video cu victoria romanului:

Revenind la campionul roman, meciul a avut loc in Montreal, unde din 14000 de spectator, 2000 au fost romani. Bute a reusit in cariera sa de cand este in "super-mijlocie", sa castige 22 partide din 22, dintre care 18KO.

Bute a castigat in runda a 10 a prin KO tehnic, simbata dimineata, 1 martie.

In aceeasi gala, au mai boxat 2 romani : Ionut Ion (Jojo Dan) si Victor Puiu( Victor Lupo), Toti cei trei romani reusind sa iasa invingatori din ring.

O declaratie la "cald" a lui Bute : "Va multumesc din suflet ca si de aceasta data ati fost alaturi de mine. A fost o seara extraordinara pentru mine. Am demonstrat lumii intregi ca merit sa fiu campion. Abia astept sa vin acasa. Dedic aceasta victorie tuturor femeilor din Romania, surorilor si mamei mele. Va multumesc din suflet si va iubesc "

Concluzie : Romanii incep sa creasca in toate sporturile...

Sambata dimineata, am fost conectati la meciul de la Montreal, in care pugilistul Lucian Bute, detinatorul titlului mondial profesionist al categoriei supermijlocie a versiunii IBF, l-a învins pe americanul William Joppy.

Cateva repere :
Prin victoria de azi Bute a trecut pe locul 2 in categoria sa, supermijlocie, ceea ce inseamna ca acum se vor deschide mai multe usi in lumea boxului mare. Drept dovada sta si bursa din meciul cu Jopy, in jur de 700.000 de dolari. Deja se vorbeste de sume mari.

Primul in categorie e in continuare englezul Joe Calzaghe, care in toamna trecuta a unificat 3 dintre cele mai importante centuri ale boxului profesionist, WBO, WBA si WBC, in meciul cu Mikkel Kessler, ocupantul pozitiei a treia in clasamentul la supermijlocie. Partea proasta e ca Calzaghe s-a decis sa urce putin treapta categoriilor pentru a disputa un meci cu arhi-cunoscutul Bernard Hopkins(care l-a batut in 2004 si pe Oscar de la Hoya). Insa pe viitor, exista posibilitatea unui meci Bute-Calzaghe, cu multi bani si centuri pretioase in joc. Si nu in ultimul rand, multa faima.

Bute mai are posibilitatea sa-l aleaga ca adversar pe Mikkel Kessler, fostul detinator al centurilor WBA si WBC, care deocamdata nu are vreun meci programat. Insa asta ar putea fi o capcana, mai ales ca prin pastrarea centurii IBF, Lucian are dreptul sa-si aleaga orice adversar din primii zece clasati, sau poate chiar de mai jos.

Meciul il puteti asculta LIVE pe Radio Romania Actualitati - click aici pentru a intra

Va recomand sa cititi :

Lucian Bute, model al reusitei

“Injectie de mandrie si onoare”

"Este adevarat ca presiunea este foarte mare, dar eu sint calm. Am multa incredere, trebuie sa fiu relaxat si concentratpentru a-mi pune in aplicare planul de joc. Fizic si psihic ma simt la fel de bine ca la meciul cu Berrio. In ring trebuie sa ma folosesc de viteza de inteligenta. Joopy are un croseu de dreapta foarte bun. Cred ca il va folosi foarte mult. Dar am un plan pentru a neutraliza loviturile." (Lucian Bute)

Daca ar fi fost un meci de box feminin in noroi sigur se dadea live pe mai multe posturi tv.

Bafta Bute!

 Think you have a horse that is in a "foundering" condition, i.e. acute laminitis? Besides calling your vet, here are some suggestions.

• Give a low dose of Bute, Banamine, and Ketofen at the same time. (2g Bute, 5cc Banamine, 5cc Ketofen)
• Be sure to keep the feet dry!
• Wrap in plastic trash bags and ice the feet and ice the legs 20 to 30 minutes 3x's a day
• Support the bottom of the feet (front feet especially, but all four feet), by either: packing with dental impression material; soft cotton wraps. 2 to 3 inches thick of soft "packing" material the size of the feet and wrap up the feet
• Alleviate pain by administering equal parts of Ace, Rompun, Dormosedan, and Torbugesic. Give 1cc total I.M. twice a day

THE KEY!

Give 300mg to 400mg of Viagra orally every 6 hours for 10 days, then reevaluate. Viagra is a drug with extremly strong vasodilatory effects and will dilate all cappillary beds including the coronary band and blood vessels to the feet. Try it! It works especially with the "sinkers." 

Thank you, Dr. Giacopuzzi for this information. If you have any more questions, you can post a comment to this link, and we will forward it on to Dr. Giacopuzzi.

Remember, FarmVet.com is very happy to fill any prescription you might need, but we do need a prescription signed from your vet in order to do so. Please look at our FAQ when it comes to purchasing drugs.