Globusz^® Publishing 

“I guess the whole population of the island is present here tonight which is great. I thought I would open this first general meeting to be held on Enniskerry with an attempt to outline some of my proposals for the future for, as happy as we may be at present, it is how we prepare now for our future which is and will continue to be of paramount importance.

“First, you may like to hear a few comparisons with the nearby island of Gigha, which was sold in 2001 as a result of a community buy-out when it was taken out of private ownership. Offers were originally requested for up to five million pounds.

“Gigha has, about one hundred and ten islanders. It has a similar climate to Enniskerry, with a marked benefit from the Gulf Stream, which gives it a relatively warm temperature throughout the year. It is frost-free and snow is unknown. There is a huge eight-bedroom with staff accommodation, a twenty-six bedroom hotel, five self catering cottages, about six farms, twenty-eight tenanted houses, a nine-hole golf course and a boathouse that is used as a restaurant. There are three lochs and there is scope for shooting on the hills. They also have a shop and an airstrip and a well-surfaced road. In short it has the potential of being a well-organised island with great opportunities for income.

“Our island of Enniskerry is further from the mainland but it also benefits from the Gulf Stream, so we also are frost-free and snow is most unlikely. Our island is much larger in area. It has many natural assets such as open moorland, three lochs, tree plantations, splendid cliffs, and several beautiful beaches. If we use Gigha as a comparison, Enniskerry, as you will know only too well, is not as yet anywhere near as profitable. In fact we hardly have any income at all, but I see the potential as greater if we manage it sensibly and build on the resources that we have. It will take time and that is why we must always have our eyes to the future.

“You will know directly of the progress that has been achieved so far with our building construction programme and you will be aware of our ideas for the profitability of our livestock and arable farms, together with our fish farm, which are still in the early stages of setting up. Even with these ongoing projects in hand we must look at other aspects of our ability to produce, earn money and work efficiently.

“This brings me to inform you of one important matter that was discussed at our last council meeting. Basically it comes under the heading of tourism. The filming taking place here is now sufficiently well advanced for us to consider making it available to British television. You will know how Ken has been moving among you since we arrived, and more recently with Alice assisting. They have been able to capture many of the day-to-day events that have occurred on the island. Everyone has been remarkably co-operative. I have watched two of the early episodes and they make fascinating and entertaining viewing. There is of course, a serious side to this. It is the first stage in making people aware of what we are doing here, in the hope that it will attract people to come and see us and pay for the privilege. I myself have to admit to certain regrets about this move towards commercialism, and I believe that there will be some among you who likewise will see this as an intrusion into our peaceful and contented way of life. However, it is essential that we move to explore all areas of possible income to ensure that we can sustain our lives here into the future. I ask you to continue to embrace the venture as you have done so far, being co-operative with the continuing filming even if you do have misgivings about the direction in which we are heading. We will have to build further accommodation and welcome new people into our way of life, but I am sure there are benefits apart from the obvious one of income. By opening our doors we avoid the danger of becoming insular and unreasonably introspective in our lives. We must look outward and embrace the wider world for the sake of our young people.

“I have one other important matter to put to you, but first I must eat humble pie and confess that I now think that my original idea of a money free island is impractical for our future. I have been convinced that exchanging money would be a necessary requirement as we encourage people to the island. I think I can hear your thoughts of “We told you so!” Now I can only agree, “Yes you did, and I listened.” This “U” turn allows us to consider how we should create a shop on the island, what it should stock and how we will finance it. It would for instance also provide an outlet for any arts or crafts that were created here.

“Next, I must mention that when we came to this island I did not give to any of you a clear indication of what may happen after the first year. The reason being that there were many things that I did not know myself at that time. I, and perhaps many of you, were all caught up in the novelty of the experiences of the new venture. Like me, perhaps you thought you would just see how things would develop and meet this point as it arrived. That time is with us now. You will be interested to hear that only one person questioned at interview, what would happen after the first year.

“At our last committee meeting we talk at length about this matter of how the island will function after the first year and I would like to give you a clearer picture of what is proposed. The following is the result of much discussion and has the unanimous approval of your committee.

“One. As of the first of January, I will be paying a wage based on the minimum wage operating on the mainland, or just above, to everyone who is working on any task associated with the island’s business. By this I mean it will exclude any improvement work carried out by people on their existing crofts or for personal benefit.

“Two. I will be levying a rental charge on each dwelling and making additional charges for electricity, gas bottles, telephone calls and other services such as canteen meals that I now provide free.

“Three. I will also make available some properties for sale, which may be purchased by negotiation at an agreed price. This could be the property in which you are residing or any other available property on the island which is not allocated for other use. You may like to comment on some of the matters I have mentioned. Giles, you have a point to raise?”

“Yes, I was interested in your comparisons between Gigha and ourselves. It would seem that Gigha is a much smaller island than Enniskerry and yet it has more than twice the number of people. In theory we could eventually support a much larger population here. Is it your intention to populate Enniskerry further?”

“I am moving towards a positive “Yes,” in answer to your question, the thought having been on my mind recently. I see two aspects, first a degree of natural evolvement in terms of the balance between our rate of construction of new properties, the flow of income to the island from different sources and the success of our attempt to advertise the island by the production, for instance, of our film together with other advertising efforts in the press and on the web. Second, there is the further opportunity for me to advertise again for people with additional skills to those we already possess, or skills that we have now but will need reinforcing.

“I believe that simply to increase our numbers ad lib is not an option in itself. We must guard against providing a soft haven for anyone to come without being able to offer any significant benefit to the island as a whole. On the other hand anyone who does offer something tangible should be welcomed.” I hope this goes some way to indicate how I am seeing things. I would welcome any views that you, Giles or others have about this.”

“Are we building new houses as part of the idea to house visitors?”— Helen asked.

“The general principle is that when everyone is adequately housed, we would move to co-operate with those families who desire more spacious accommodation. When that accommodation is completed it will release their previous house for another use. Our aim will be to have an excess of housing over our need so that we can accommodate visitors.

“I would like to know what sort of goods you envisage that the shop will stock and sell and how soon can we begin to set it up? Alive asked.

“It can be anything according to our needs, but I see it as being a combined post office, newsagent and general store. Perhaps we could also incorporate a bakery. I hope it would have a good selection of books, games and other attractions for the kids, together with general needs for the home such as gas bottles, and a selection of more specialised foods. As I have said, I hope that it would also provide an outlet for art and crafts. As to when it will open, that will depend upon how soon we can allocate a suitable building.”

“How will you determine the amount of rent that we will have to pay?” James asked.

“I can’t give you an actual figure at the moment. What I can tell you is that the income I receive for rents, which I envisage may be equal for all homes, together with the other payments services etc. will total about two thirds of the wages I will be paying out. I will endeavour to make it a fair arrangement so that no one will be worse off as a result.”

“Will I, as the islands vet, the doctor and the farmers be included in the wages that you will pay and can we make our own charges for medicines that we dispense from our practices in general?” Charles queried.

“Yes, you and Matthew, will, be included in the payments. No, you should not make any additional charges; all medical and veterinary services are to be free. I’m sure you remember that, in your case, the supply of medicine has been provided by me. The arrangements with our farmers will take a different form, in that a proportion of their profits will be allocated to the island.”

“How about the nurse who assists the doctor?”

“You mean Ruth who assists Matthew. Charles, I have already said that everyone who carries out work for the benefit of the island will receive payment. Are there any other questions? Robert.”

“Will the purchase of ones own house include the freehold of the property or, if it is to be leasehold, over what period would the lease run?

“You are ahead of me on that one Robert. During the coming weeks I will be talking to Philip, our solicitor and working out what scheme is best.

“How will you charge for electricity when we all use different amounts?”

“I have a choice, James, either I install meters for accurate readings or I divide the cost on an equal basis. I propose to divide the cost initially because our usage at present is purely for lighting which is a relatively small sum of money for each home.”