Stop
Press...
Danger
Mouse the Lonely Shepherd becomes mobile!!
What
a busy few weeks this has been and a detailed update will follow very shortly.
However,
in the meantime, it is very nice to report that Danger Mouse is all weather
proofed, up to speed with twentieth century technology and is raring to go with
his new business venture.
It’s
great that we are able to retain a young person on the island and all we need now
is to find him a wife so he can start to re-populate Colonsay. So girls, if the
photograph of Danger Mouse makes you weak at the knees, then don’t hesitate to
get in touch with him!!
Kapitein,
I and many others on the island wish him every success. Feel free to contact
Danger Mouse if you wish to commission his services.
The
press release that will appear nationally over the next few days reads as
follows:
The Prince’s
Scottish Youth Business Trust and the weather-proof shepherd
The
Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) has once again demonstrated its
support for young people in the more remote rural parts of Argyll.
After
receiving a business plan from Jamie Stringer (24) from the Isle of Colonsay
(population 110), who described himself as a ‘Young, fit, experienced and
weather-proof shepherd and (farm) labourer wishing to set up in business as a
freelance agricultural contractor, the panel of experienced business people,
originating from the Isle of Harris to Lochgilphead on the mainland, were so
impressed that they decided there and then to provide Jamie with the loan and
grant support that he had applied for.
And
all of this was achieved without Jamie leaving the island. In what was a first
for both Colonsay and PSYBT Argyll a video conference link was set up for the
panel interview, with Jamie out on a wet and windy Colonsay and the panel
assembled in Lochgilphead.
With
no employment opportunities on Colonsay and facing the prospect of having to
leave the island permanently, Jamie decided to set himself up as an
agricultural contractor based on Colonsay but travelling and providing labour
support to the crofts, farms and estates of Islay, Jura, Mull and the mainland
of Argyll.
With
his new fully-equipped vehicle he will now be able to utilise the Calmac ferry
services to Islay and Oban (the gateway to the isles) to transport himself, his
dogs (2 collies and 2 gun dogs) and the equipment and supplies he needs such as
a mobile sheep handling and shearing system, to clients throughout the area.
Experienced
in all aspects of sheep, cattle and pig husbandry, from hill gathering to
lambing, calving and shearing, and with experience of tractor work from
ploughing to seed drilling and silage cutting, Jamie believes that there is a
large and increasing demand for this type of flexible farm labour throughout
Argyll and especially on the islands. And if he’s only needed for tractor work
then he can simply pack his bags and take the flights operated from Colonsay by
Hebridean Air Services.
Commenting
on Jamie’s new business, Sharita Padaruth, Dunbartonshire and Argyll Regional
Manager for the PSYBT said: “The panel and I were very impressed with Jamie’s
business plan and his presentation during this very first video conferencing
panel interview. His plan, qualifications, experience and dedication are
everything that we look for when supporting young people and the fact that we
can we can do this for those more remote and fragile communities is a real
added bonus. Having assisted another fledgling business on Colonsay, Cholasa
Hospitality Services, in the last 12 months - which has gone on to create
further employment opportunities for young people - we hope that this will
encourage others to come forward and contact us with their ideas and plans.”
And
for Jamie?
“Well,
it’s back on with the waterproofs and up the hill to gather in some sheep. But
the real benefit for me is that I can now determine my own future and wherever
I travel to work I can still continue to live on this beautiful island”.
If
you would like a helping hand down on the farm, or up in the hills, then Jamie Stringer
can be contacted on 07979 607393.
And
if you’re a young person with an idea then conract PSYBT on 07917 305 553 or
visit www.psybt.org.uk
