PACKED BLACK ISLE FORUM CONFRONTS ENERGY CHALLENGE

24 January 2011

THE tough energy challenges that lie ahead are becoming ever more clear to Ross-shire householders hit hard in the pocket by ongoing price hikes.

That's one of the conclusions following a packed debate looking at life on the Black Isle "beyond the energy crunch".

Chaired by broadcaster Louise Batchelor, the Fortrose event put on by the Transition Black Isle group attracted 150 people.

Speaking afterwards, the group's convener, Wendy Price, told the Journal, "I think we were all thrilled to bits by the turnout.

"It was full to capacity and we had a wonderful group of panellists from a wide variety of backgrounds."

They were MSP Rob Gibson, Councillor Ian Ross, farmer David Whiteford, architect Neil Sutherland, energy expert Mandy Meikle and prospective parliamentary candidate, John Mackay.

Questions asked on the night varied from debate on sources of energy ranging from nuclear to renewable and whether or not community benefit from wind farms is adequate compensation.

Concern was also voiced about how to make the food supply chain more resilient, and whether planning restrictions are getting in the way of insulating older/conservation housing stock.

Said Ms Price, "There was some useful and thought-provoking discussion on how systems need to change in order for farmers to be able to respond to the challenges that lie ahead."
It was noted that unpredictable oil prices have a knock-on effect on everything from the price of fertilisers to the costs of running machinery on farms.

"Is there a need to find a new way forward?" said Ms Price.
"How will we feed ourselves? We need to be ahead of the game rather than saying 'oh crumbs! What will happen now?"

Asked about awareness of the issue, she said, "Because the issues are now starting to bite people in the pocket, I think it's really starting to hit home. The man on the street is starting to feel the cost.

"This is an immensely difficult topic but we are an ambitious group and want to engage with the community and tackle these issues head-on."

Paying tribute to the Parent Teacher Association's refreshment efforts on the evening, she added, "People stayed on until 10.45pm. Far from being gloomy it was pretty upbeat.

"One of the other questions asked was whether we should concentrate on gross national happiness as a measure rather than gross national product."

Future events include Cheesemaking Made Easy at North Kessock School, from 12.30 till 2pm on Saturday, January 29 and there will be a screening of End of the Line at Munlochy Village Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday, February 17. That focuses on fish stocks and the desperate need for conservation.

Winter vegetables - and what to do with them - come under the spotlight at an event at North Kessock School on Saturday, February 26 at 12.30pm.
 

Published in the Ross-shire Journal 21 January 2010