LD 13 Regular Meeting in an irregular way....

As people who follow this journal will know, the first Sunday of the month is the regular day for the SNP Argyll & Bute Constituency meeting in Tarbert.   

That means , usually, a drive to Portavadie, a take away coffee from the Marina there if there is time , a pleasant ferry journey  across Loch Fyne , a walk up to the Templer's Hall, excellent catering laid on by the local branch , a good series of discussions and report backs and then the trip in reverse (minus the coffee). 

Not possible of course during  a lockdown and in addition the ferry is not running at present given the pressure on Cal Mac and the reduction in some routes they have had to impose.

But it was worth attempting the meeting by Zoom, at least to get reports of what was happening across the constituency , the work being done by many members as volunteers in their communities,  an update from our Council Group Leader about what the local authority is trying to do and then some feedback from me on current issues locally and nationally.

I have to say it worked well, thanks to the patience and persistence of all who took part .   We had limited attendance to try out it but I hope we can expand it next month.   With three  delegates from each branch and the office bearers we would get to about 35 participants which is probably as much as we could manage. 

As it followed on a Skype interview for me on BBC Politics Scotland and then attending a Zoom service with the Episcopal congregation in Dunoon and Rothesay , it was a busy electronic morning.