Month: November 2013

FilmG Community Category. Give it a go!

~ Gordon Wells ~ Leave a comment

Floraidh Forrest from the FilmG film competition is keen to see plenty of entries in the community category.

“Whether it be a drama, documentary or even a music video, we want to see films by community groups which give insight into that community and/or explore themes important to it.  Why not document a project or event that is taking place in your community?  And, in communities everywhere there are significant people that have great stories to tell.”

“We are looking for 3-5 minute films that are original, entertaining and watchable. Don’t worry too much about production values as long as there is a steady picture and good quality sound. That’s all we’re looking for in this category.”

If any Uibhistich are interested in making a film for the community category, but feel they would like some support, they are welcome to get in touch with us here at Guthan nan Eilean/Island Voices to see how we might help. Call or text Gordon Wells on 07879 644984.

An Radio Online

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The new Uist community radio station “An Radio” took a major step forward over the weekend when it started broadcasting online. Just go to their website at www.anradio.info and then click on the “An Radio Player” icon. It’s still early days for the station, but you’ll find plenty of music, interspersed with samples of local features and interviews. An Radio has already started recruiting volunteers to get involved in the project. If you’re interested you can get in touch through the website.

Clearly, there are and will be plenty of opportunities to get involved in making it a genuine community venture, and maximising local content. Island Voices/Guthan nan Eilean can help too! You will already hear some examples from our archive on the An Radio playlists, and we stand ready to assist anyone who wants to “dip their toe in the water”…. Good luck!

Kick-off meeting Pools-3 Brussels

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Island Voices/Guthan nan Eilean was born out of the original POOLS project – and the outward-looking European relationship continues… Gordon Wells has recently returned from Brussels where he was chairing the first meeting of “POOLS-3” in which new partners will be transferring POOLS innovations to the Catalan, Czech, and Irish languages. Do you want to see speakers of Czech and Catalan talking Irish? Watch this video…

“Skye Ska”

~ Gordon Wells ~ 1 Comment

Following on from the “Tug of War”, here’s a second helping in this series of occasional samplings of old Bi Beò songs re-presented on Clilstore for the benefit of Gaelic learners – Sgath Sgitheanach.

Music from this track was used in the Series 2 Generations documentary about Sabhal Mòr Ostaig itself, so this view of the college, taken from the video, seems an appropriate image with which to illustrate the song. There are still plenty of Uibhistich at the college, both staff and students – no doubt happy to share enthusiastically in the spirit that the song celebrates…

PS. Here’s the “raw” track, if you’d like to hear it first before reading the lyrics on Clilstore:

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/119758202″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Gàidhlig “Ùr”

~ Gordon Wells ~ Leave a comment

Tha Susan Bell aig Oilthigh Glaschu ag iarraidh beachdan nam fileantach a’ chluinntinn air a’ Ghàidhlig “ùr”.

Tha sreath de choinneamhan gu bhith ann an ath-sheachdain eadar Uibhist a Tuath, Beinn na Faoghla, agus Uibhist a Deas.

Tuilleadh fiosrachaidh air an t-sanas.

Susan Bell from Glasgow University is seeking the opinions of fluent Gaelic speakers on “new” Gaelic.

A series of sessions has been arranged for next week between North Uist, Benbecula, and South Uist.

More information on the poster.

(Click to enlarge.)

Incy Wincy busy in Balivanich

~ Gordon Wells ~ 1 Comment

"Incy Wincy"Island Voices activist Mary Morrison was busy in Balivanich School before the summer. Under her guidance, and with the support of Cothrom Family Learning, a group of eager young storytellers put together a fantastic new interpretation of Eric Carle’s well-known and well-loved tale of “The Very Busy Spider” – complete with glove puppets, illustrative booklets, and this amazing video.

Parents and other helpers also played their part in a truly creative and collaborative venture. Well done all!

This video now joins others in the Island Voices “Pot Luck” playlist. Take a look and see what other treats lie there…

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7OczE1nBog&w=400&h=300]

Second Soillse Summary

~ Gordon Wells ~ Leave a comment

The second Uist-based research project supported by the Soillse Small Research Fund was completed earlier this year, and published online. It was concerned with the use of technology to support everyday use and learning of Gaelic, and many local participants in Guthan nan Eilean activities made very useful and informative contributions.

Gordon Wells has also written a short summary of the project, which may be of interest to community members. It has just been published in the November edition of Am Pàipear. You can read it here. The full report on “Gaelic Digital Literacies” can be found on the Island Voices Research/Reports page.

Nunton House and Stories of the Prince

~ Gordon Wells ~ Leave a comment

Tommy Macdonald has added to the store of local tales about Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Hebridean adventures in a conversation with Donald MacPhee, who renovated and now runs the Nunton House Hostel.

Here is where Flora Macdonald, Lady Clanranald, and other local notables planned the escape “over the sea to Skye”.

The “big house” has changed in function and ownership many times since those days, with Donald’s part of it now given over to accommodating tourists and visitors, but, even in the latest renovation, some tantalising hints and clues came to light about what life may have been like in the immediate aftermath of Culloden.

Listen to Tommy and Donald’s fireside chat here:

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/616528884″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=true&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

 

More stories, and perhaps a song or two, will be added to the collection in the coming weeks.

Watch this space!