seil games

[khartoumteddy]

What happened to as usual nothing on events board

Teddy

[Seventhseil]

No games? have we run out of wellies

[Minimum]

I can get a pole for tossing.

[joker]

That is very generous of you minimum. Even tightrope sometimes gives and don't forget your balancing poles.

[Minimum]

I'm afraid the circumference is too big on the pole I'm thinking about - unsuitable for use as a balancing pole, unless it can be used as a see-saw.

Mind you, if removed from its present location the roof is likely to collapse in on one of our community halls. Maypole dancing anyone?

[CHAVTASTIC]

just out of interest...

how many people on here would support the games with regard to donations, fundraising and help to set up etc?

i think it's a shame that the island can no longer get the support to host this event any longer?

should we be looking to do something?

[Kathy Bowles]

How about some local advertising for support for the games.

They were a great social event for the island and I feel we should make an effort to have them again - not this year as it is too late- but preparations should begin now for next year.

How about some posters in the shop, pubs etc. to get things moving?

[spiderman]

Wasn't it a bit of an anachronistic bore? Or am I just being an arachnidan bore?

And, given the current non-Highland make-up of the local population, is it really appropriate? Sorry......

[longshanks]

I fear that Spider is quite right.
No point organising Games for 2009 either as all good Highlanders will be taking part in Pres. Alex's floodlit march through Edinburgh quaintly called The Great Clan Gathering (all part of "Homecoming 2009" aimed at the worldwide 100 million (!!!) whom Alex claims are Scottish)................banners and saltires by the thousand, the skirl of the pipes, all smart in full highland dress, thousands of ruddy faced Highlanders marching in step, El Pres saluting the marchpast from a tartan dressed podium and delivering suitably nationalistic speeches.
Personally can't wait; brings back memories of Nuremburg; ah - good days ahead eh?

[spiderman]

Long live, King Alex!! Don't listen to Anglophile Longshanks - yer doin' a great job putting Scotland first!!

[canUsmellthat]

Would've thought that the games would appeal more to non-highland folk who haven't seen pole-tossing before...nay???

[longshanks]

Oh Spidey my dear; You say:

"Don't listen to Anglophile Longshanks"

My comments about Lex were simply taking the piss out of his o so obvious and predictable plans to stir up Scottish nationalism in advance his promised referendum on breaking up the United Kigdom due in 2010.

My making such comments are not symptomatic of my being an Anglophile.

To make things clear I am not one of those saddos who believes that one has to profess Anglophobia to be a Scot.

Peace and love to all (except, of course, polluting yachties).

[spiderman]

OK, Shanker, we've been down this road before and I think it led to you getting yellow-carded. Just let King Alex get on with being sensible and consensual and on Scotland's case without you taking the Mickey! And don't put words in my mouth thanks - lots of the more sensible non-Scots recognise the rather obvious value of a country managing its own affairs, finances, oil etc .........and the day is coming.....

[khartoumteddy]

Sorry bit there is only one tosser bigger than King Alex
THINK HIS NAME IS BROWN OR SOMETHING
Why do all these Tossers think they can run the Games

TEDDY

[longshanks]

Spidey old chap.
First you rant:
"don't put words in my mouth "
Please tell us exactly which words I put in your mouth - I quoted directly from your last post.
Second you plead:
"let King Alex get on with being sensible and consensual "
Well. NO.
He's yet another self-seeking politician who sought election by making manifesto promises not one of which he has kept; more police on the street, smaller class sizes - go on; name one.
I voted SNP because I want to live in an independent Scotland, but Lec thinks that to draw on latent nationalistic instict is they way to win the vote. Wrong. The way to do so is to govern Scotland now in a way which improves our lives.
One last challenge: Describe just one concrete way that the lives of Scots has improved since SNP took power.

[Pentlandpirate]

...windmills?

[spiderman]

Sorry, Shanker, I'm not playing your game. It's not worth answering a yellow-carded nutter whose views are generally so out of line with those of normal folk and with current popular opinion. Considering that this is a minority government - and hence by definition unable to fulfill its electioin manifesto, a critical factor you seem to overlook - King Alex has performed rather well and his high personal and party ratings reflect this. But this thread is supposed to be about the Seil Highland Games, remember? And you and I at least seem to agree that it's a dead duck. There are so many local games around Scotland in places now more appropriate that it seems unlikely that the Seil games can be resurrected successfully. On the other hand, tapping into the enthusiasm and resources of the international Scottish community doesn't seem such a bad idea - a fitting way to enhance tourism and cultural exchange.

[Pentlandpirate]

Dear Spider I can't help feeling that sometimes you need all eight legs so you can scuttle quickly away from a question you don't like. Who cares if the topic goes a bit off subject. Even you say that the subject of Seil Games is dead so if it carries on to Scottish politics what's wrong with that?

Longshanks asked you a serious question, every bit worthy of this site. He even admits to voting SNP, but still asks the question, "Describe just one concrete way that the lives of Scots has improved since SNP took power?"

You talk up the 'glory' of an independent Scotland, and your apparent Scottishness. Go on then tell us what is so good. But instead of scuttling away like when I asked you where you were born, answer a fair (and for once sensible question) that Longshanks has put to you.

[spiderman]

Freezing Council tax

[Pentlandpirate]

Surely we can't believe everything the politicians say, so if this is the whole of the SNP's own bloated statement of achievement it sounds pretty pathetic even if the facts are exaggerated:

SNP marks 'year of achievement'
Home » Issues » Topics
The first year of SNP government has breathed new life into Scottish democracy and delivered for our great public services.

We know that we have faced some substantial challenges - as is clear from the Grangemouth industrial action this weekend.

Others have been the Glasgow airport attack and the serious implications for rural Scotland of the Foot and Mouth outbreak south of the Border. But all nations face problems.

The issue is how we cope with them and stay focused on the key task of building a prosperous economy and rich society.

My pledge a year ago was to lead a government exclusively in the Scottish national interest.

As a minority administration we must build alliances both inside and outside the parliament in order to take forward a progressive programme for Scotland.

We must govern through strength of argument, not strength of numbers.

In terms of the economy, health, education and local services, the Scottish Government are delivering on the people's priorities.

Earlier this month, many of our key measures took effect. These included freezing the Council Tax to deliver relief for hard-pressed households, cutting business rates to boost the economy and jobs, abolishing prescription charges in this 60th anniversary year of the NHS and scrapping the graduate endowment to restore free education in Scotland.

We have saved vital accident and emergency units at Ayr and Monklands, scrapped the tolls on the Forth and Tay bridges, delivered a new skills strategy and are funding 1000 more police officers in Scotland's communities.

We look forward to continuing to deliver for the people of Scotland - building on the natural and competitive advantages our nation is blessed with.

For example, given that Scotland has a quarter of Europe's marine energy potential, we launched the "Saltire Prize" during Scotland Week in the States - the world's largest innovation award for marine renewables.

It was hailed by National Geographic as a prime example of how a small country can make a big impact on a global challenge.

We are developing a new life sciences institute in Dundee, where Scotland can be a world leader in this cutting edge technology of the future.

I firmly believe that as the SNP deliver good government in the devolved areas and secure the trust of the people, so we will build the case for Scotland to be governed equally well in all areas.

The polls show support for independence now edging ahead-reversing a 15 point gap last summer.

We can maintain this momentum by continuing to deliver successful government and positive policies for Scotland.

Support for independence and equality for Scotland is on the increase, as is the SNP's poll ratings. The key factor is our solid record of delivery in office.

The challenges are clear and we are certainly not immune from global financial problems.

But I believe we have the skills, resources and opportunities to prosper.

The Scots economy is in better shape than many other areas.

We have had two successive quarters where the Scottish economic growth has outpaced the rest of the UK.

We have the highest employment rates in history, strong retail sales figures and business confidence and a housing market which is maintaining its value.

The most successful nations in the world are small, independent countries and Scotland has an enormous potential to succeed.

Scotland has a bright future as an independent nation.

The key democratic issue is the people's right to choose that future in a referendum.

The SNP Government trusts the people and their right to choose our nation's future.

That is a key reason why people trust the SNP in government, as we prepare to mark our first year in office.