WARNING - By their nature, text files cannot include scanned images and tables. The process of converting documents to text only, can cause formatting changes and misinterpretation of the contents can sometimes result. Wherever possible you should refer to the pdf version of this document. Calendar 2005: a briefing paper on progress. Curling in Upper Glen Clova by Malcolm MacBeath Picture not available in text format Nick Halfhide Head of Strategic Policy and Programme Management July 2004 Calendar 2005: a briefing paper on progress. Introduction 1. On 5th December 2003, the Board approved a programme of activities to help local communities celebrate life in the Park. One of these was to run separate photography and poetry competitions, using the winning entries to produce the CNPA’s corporate calendar for 2005 and a travelling exhibition around the Park and beyond. 2. This briefing paper updates Board Members on the progress of the two competitions, the production of the calendar, and the travelling exhibition. Poetry Competition 3. At the start of March 2004, all of the schools with pupils within the National Park were invited to take part in the Poetry Competition on the theme of "Celebrating life in the National Park". Twelve prizes of £20 book tokens and £50 for the schools were offered for the best poem, with entries being judged in four categories: 5 -8 years, 9 -11 years, 12 - 15 years, and 16 -18 years. A closing date was set for 30th April 2004. 4. We followed up the initial invitation to the schools, with a press release, and a further letter to prompt Head Teachers towards the end of April. In total, we received 250 entries from schools in Badenoch and Strathspey, Moray, and Strathdon, with particularly large entries from Kingussie High School, Grantown Primary School and Newtonmore Primary School. These were mostly in the 911 and 12-15 categories, and there were no entries in the 16-18 category. 5. Following an initial sift by staff to reduce the total number by two thirds, a judging panel of Eric Baird and Lucy Grant met on 1st June. They picked the following winners: Joshua Goodhill (9), Newtonmore Primary School -The Glen Hotel Kamilla Laidlaw (12), Kingussie High School - Mountain Voice Seonag Buxton (10), Newtonmore Primary School -A'Phairc Naiseanta Againne Ryan Jamieson (8), Grantown Primary School - See the Osprey Fiona Campbell (8), Newtonmore Primary School -The Sun Karen Laudon (14), Kingussie High School -They built me a view Nikoline Laidlaw (9), Newtonmore Primary School -The Glen Kyle Beattie (10), Grantown Primary School -Slithering Snake Zane Bruce (14), Kingussie High School -The Sport of Kings Gillian Stewart (10), Newtonmore Primary School - Mountain Collector Stephen Bodman ((11), Glenlivet Primary School - The Unknown Weather Forecast Dall Amos (14), Kingussie High School -Echoed Silence. 6. Board members presented the prizes to the individual winners and schools on 29th and 30th June 2004 as end of terms assemblies. Photography Competition 7. At the same time as the poetry competition, we ran an open photography competition. This was promoted through the media, and through direct approaches to photography clubs in and around the National Park. It ran on the same theme of "Celebrating life in the National Park" and we encouraged applicants to consider all aspects of activity within the Park, offering 12 prizes of a £50 voucher to spend on photographic equipment. 8. We received 51 entries from 22 photographers. Theses were all judged on 11th June by a panel comprising Andrew Thin, Bob Wilson, and Colin Baxter. The 12 winning entries were : Curling in Upper Glen Clova by Malcolm MacBeath Walking in Glen Derry in Snow Shower by Raf Vervoort Muirburn Smoke - Loch Garten by Neil Sutherland Loch an Eilean by Mike Gaffney Sail Boats on Loch Morlich by Barbara Pickford Avielochan sunrise by Caitlin Donaghy Cairngorm Funicular by Barbara Pickford Loch Morlich Beach by Henderson Pollock Inshriach by Mike Gaffney Hills of Badenoch by Neil Sutherland Cairngorms by Henderson Pollock Loch Morlich by Henderson Pollock 9. All of the winners have now been informed and their vouchers sent. 2005 Calendar 10. Following an open tendering process in March-April 2004, we awarded the design and production contract for the calendar to Artysans, a company based in Cawdor near Nairn. They are now working to produce the calendar for early September. This will then be available as a corporate gift for the CNPA, and whilst it will not be on general sale, it will be available for purchase from the CNPA should anyone request it. 11. A copy of the calendar will be sent to all of the competition winners, as well as all of those who took part in the photography competition and the schools that took part in the poetry competition. Travelling Exhibition 2. We are currently progressing plans to reproduce the winning photographs and poems on one or more travelling exhibitions. These will tour the communities within the National Park and other venues beyond. 13. We plan to approach community councils for suggested venues, and we would also welcome suggestions from Board members and others for venues within and beyond the Park. Appendix 1: The Winning Poems Echoed Silence by Dall Amos (14) Kingussie High School Silence, moved, before The fading wind Danced the copper leaves Until the ground caught them. Upon the face of Creag Dhubh Where the cracked lines Bored deeper than time, Was a single dark sound A fast continual flow. The sound, of an echo Amongst the trees, Fades, the rush of the Calder, Deepens, Round with a still motion. Upon a hill, A verve of mountain On which the deer, Reside. The silence is still. The Unknown Weather Forecast by Stephen Bodman ((11) Glenlivet Primary School In the park of Cairngorms, The weather varies a lot, Sometimes it is cold, And sometimes it is hot. Sometimes it rains, And sometimes it snows, And if you ask what the weather will be, Nobody knows. Mountain Collector by Gillian Stewart(10) Newtonmore Primary School Animal feeder. Breeze bringer. Winter viewer. Spring selector. Summer heater. Autumn dispenser. Snow gatherer. Life bringer. Future helper. Slithering Snake by Kyle Beattie (10) Grantown Primary School Slithering snake in the sun. Silver snake on the run. Black lightning down an adder's back. Lazy snake in the shelter of a rock. Thirsty snake wiggling in the water. Hungry snake hunting its prey. Hissing snake scaring everything away! The Glen by Nikoline Laidlaw (9) Newtonmore Primary School The Glen is glamorous with colours as bright as the moon at night. The Glen's water shines as it flows down, Slippering every step it takes. The frightening forest creeps up the glen. The deer and sheep silently walk upon it. But the best thing about the Glen is the features and creatures that lay on it. For everyone says that the Glen is a ... Treat! The Sport of Kings by Zane Bruce (14) Kingussie High School The sport of kings, maybe note stick swings back, connects with face, teeth go flying, player taken off pitch, teeth picked up. Mud, blood stained clothes, pass down the left wing, score, studs in leg, foul awarded, blood pours down his leg, as he takes the hit, ball in stomach, ribs broken, plays one, half time, Ball off, two passes, then a shot, saved, tackle, pass, shot, it goes in, fight breaks out, broken nose and black eye, both sent off, Crack! stick on leg, full time, draw, players carted off pitch of next week's game, of shinty. They built me a view by Karen Laudan (14) Kingussie High School Grandmother told of days long gone by, Of when people were less and houses were few. As the sight on the Cairngorms peaked into the sky, and upstairs had a room with a view. Granda told mum, held up in his arms, as they looked through the window pane. Pubs and houses stand now built on our farm, and of mountain views little remains. Now as I look from my window of the attic up high, where depots, shops and factories now stand. I think of the Cairngorms peaks in the sky, and the changes taking over our land. What should build deciding a task? We now have new flats with a storey or two What have they done? My children might ask And I'll tell them "they built me a view." The weather by Fiona Campbell (8) Newtonmore Primary School In summer the Sun sizzles you up like Bacon In spring the Sun heats you up like Ten hot peppers In Autumn the sun Is bright like The sand on a Desert In winter the sun Is gloomy And dull like An alley. See the Osprey by Ryan Jamieson (8) Grantown Primary School See the osprey In the sky Hunting way up high Looking for lunch Spies a fish Munch crunch munch. The Glen Hotel by Joshua Goodhill (9) Newtonmore Primary School Spring time The second busiest time of the year, More staff is needed as it is the hardest Time of the year Summer time It is summer now the busiest time of the year No rooms left, No tables left, No bar space left. Autumn time It is now getting quieter, And less staff are needed. Winter time It is quiet now, We can close for work, Before New Year. A'Phairc Naiseanta Againne by Seonag Buxton (10) Newtonmore Primary School Anns a'Phairc Naiseanta againne tha torr rudan annasach ann is rudan nack fhaiceadh thu ann an aiteachan eile. Tha aibhnichean bòidheach dearrsach ann le èisg mar bradain bhreagha Easan beaga a' spreadhadh le uisge fuar. Dobhran-donn a' dannsa anns na h-aibhnichean ag iasgadh airson èisg bheag bhlasta. Flùraichean breagha dathte mar lus nam bann sidh geal is pinc diofar fluraichean is diofar dathan a fas ann na h-achannan. Mountain Voice by Kamilla Laidlaw (12) Kingussie High School I climb Above the rest No person can match. I speak without words I see without eyes I hear without ears I look after the range Where they belong. Spying deer above So strong As if to say "This is where I roam." I'm glad They feel they belong. Whistling to me - A wind so soft. In the distance A lapwing calls Feeling a sense of belonging. Trickling against me, Gently splashing, A waterfall - cold as can be. Climbers stamp upon my frail, old body Thrusting spikes into me As they go along. But they feel they belong. The only thing I ask In return. Will you look after me? I look after where you belong. All alone above the rest I stand and ... See without eyes, Hear without ears and Speak without a mouth. Appendix 2: The Winning Photographs (Photographs not available in text format.) Curling in Upper Glen Clova by Malcolm MacBeath Walking in Glen Derry in Snow Shower by Raf Vervoort Muirburn Smoke - Loch Garten by Neil Sutherland Loch an Eilean by Mike Gaffney Sail Boats on Loch Morlich by Barbara Pickford Avielochan Sunrise by Caitlin Donaghy Cairngorm Funicular by Barbara Pickford Loch Morlich Beach by Henderson Pollock Hills of Badenoch by Neil Sutherland Inshriach by Mike Gaffney Caingorms by Henderson Pollock Loch Morlich by Henderson Pollock