TEN YEARS AGO
Friday October 11, 2013
Top golf event held at the Dunes
Sixty of the best amateur golfers in the world have descended on Campbeltown this week for the biggest amateur golfing competition in the world.
Machrihanish Dunes played host to the International Pairs World Finals, which saw teams of amateur golfers from more than 30 different countries arrive in Kintyre as the event got underway on Tuesday.
That evening, an opening ceremony took place with a parade down Main Street featuring all the golfers taking part in the competition with Machrihanish Dunes Sound of Kintyre Pipe Band and Highland dancers.
The 15-year-old competition comprises club golfers who have surpassed regional and country finals to represent their country in the final matches at Machrihanish Dunes.
Keith Martin, manager at Machrihanish Dunes, said: “We frequently get international guests at Machrihanish Dunes.
“The golfers playing in the International Pairs World Finals have won their region, so the calibre is right up there for club golfers.
“It’s exciting to hold an international competition, with golfers from as far away as the Caribbean, United Arab Emirates and Africa, and broaden the awareness of Machrihanish Dunes and Campbeltown on a global level.”
Competitors from countries such as Egypt, Romania, Nigeria, South Africa and the Caribbean stayed in the Royal Hotel, Ugadale Hotel and Cottages as well as some other bed and breakfasts in the area.
The tournament was played over three days with a practice round plus two championship rounds.
Internationally renowned greenkeeper Jimmy Kidd, who has worked at Killermont in Glasgow, Gleneagles and in Barbados, made the opening and closing remarks for the competition.
Mike Story from Argyll and The Isles Tourism Cooperative believes the competition is a chance for Kintyre to showcase its golfing credentials and be seen as one of the top golfing resorts in Scotland.
He said: “The International World Pairs competition held at Machrihanish Dunes showcases Kintyre as one of Scotland’s premier golf destinations.
“The courses and facilities at the south end of the magnificent Kintyre peninsula, which can now be reached by road, sea and air, can now stand alongside the more established golf offering in Arran and Ayrshire, but with that unique Argyll flavour.”
TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO
Friday October 9, 1998
MP adds support to shipyard plan
Argyll and Bute MP Ray Michie has spoken of her support and encouragement of the possible reopening of Campbeltown Shipyard.
The Courier reported three weeks ago that Fairisle Shipbuilders of Devon is interested in buying the shipyard from current owners, Lithgows Limited of Port Glasgow.
It is hoped that if a sale goes ahead, Campbeltown may be able to regain its reputation as one of the world’s best ship building towns.
Mrs Michie said: “Nothing would please me more than to see the shipyard functioning again. I have been in discussion with the local enterprise company, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and very much hope they will he able to advance the project.”
George McMillan, councillor for Kinloch, also pledged his support for the plans.
He told the Courier: “Obviously, I am behind it – any development to provide jobs is always welcome.”
Mr McMillan added: “I hope it will be successful, it will definitely be a very welcome boost to the town.”
South Kintyre councillor Baldy McCallum agreed. He commented: “I am delighted, it is very good news.”
Alistair McKinlay, councillor for the Kilkerran area of Campbeltown, used to work in the yard. He spoke of his desire to see trained shipbuilders return to their former workplace.
He said: “There was a big workforce at the yard in its heyday – it was the only heavy industry employer in the town. It would be great to get the lads who were paid off from the yard back working there again.”
Mid Kintyre councillor Robert Currie also added words of support to the prospective deal. He commented: “News that the shipyard may reopen is very encouraging. It would be something positive to happen for Campbeltown.”
Founder and chairman of Fairisle Shipbuilders, Mr John Twohig, believes that Campbeltown Shipyard would be the ideal place to build unique steel trawler yachts – in other words, super yachts.
Discussions are still in the early stages and former managing director of the yard, Mr Les Howarth OBE, has said that there is still a long way to go before operations are up and running once again at Trench Point, but he remains positive about the project.
FIFTY YEARS AGO
Thursday October 11, 1973
Progress and snags at clothing factory
There is excellent news this week from the firm of Andrew Douglas Ltd. It has always been the policy of Mr J Douglas Stewart to base the fortunes of the firm on the efforts of local people.
The heads of department sound like a roll call of some famous Kintyre names: Ronnie Gay, Calum McLean, Peter MacEachran, Peter Stanford, George Durnan, Jessie Darroch, Annie McKerral, Jack Martin and Sarah Russell to name but a few.
When we visited the factory last week, Mr Stewart told us orders received during the past few weeks for delivery to the shops in the spring of 1974 are up 21 per cent on those received from the same customers last year.
The spring delivery period accounts for the largest part of the year’s production, so the increase is a very significant one.
The main increase has been in sports jackets, where lighter colours are in demand and where orders are up 27 per cent.
During the past three weeks, the Campbeltown factory has despatched topcoats to customers in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and America.
Employment prospects are good. The company has now operated in Campbeltown for almost 19 years and, during that period, there has never been a redundancy or short time working.
The Campbeltown factory was established long before there was a HIDB (Highlands and Islands Development Board) to offer financial assistance.
The move to Campbeltown and subsequent growth to the present 142 employees has had to come mainly from the firm’s own resources; 95 per cent of the production of this private company is now carried out in Campbeltown.
At the present time, two of the main requirements of the company and its employees are the proviso of suitable housing for key workers and the establishment of a day nursery in order that many former employees can return to work.
The company has been pressing for the latter for many years and feel that in view of their loyal record to Campbeltown, they are now entitled to positive action in these matters from the town and county councils.
Due to the raising of the school leaving age, it is virtually impossible to recruit school leavers. The company is therefore launching a campaign to recruit from other age groups, but the top priority is the holding and re-engaging of skilled persons.
If early action is not forthcoming from the local authorities with regard to suitable housing for key workers and the provision of a day nursery then it will be quite impossible for the company to turn the good order position into growth.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO
Saturday October 13, 1923
Air pollution debate
The monthly meeting of the Town Council of Campbeltown was held in the Council Room on Monday night, Provost Campbell in the chair.
The other members present were Bailies Maceachran and Hutcheon, Hon. Treasurer Smith, Dean of Guild Reid, Councillors Colonel Mactaggart, ex-Provost Colville, Sillars, M’Grory, Oldfield, Wareham, M’Nair, Fisher, Robertson and Thomson.
A communication was submitted from the Sanitary Congress asking the Council’s backing to their representations for the amendment of Lord Novar’s Bill for preventing the pollution of the air with smoke and other noxious vapours with the object of strengthening the Bill.
Mr Fisher moved that the Council lend their support to the proposals of the Society. Anything that made for purer air for the people should enlist their sympathy.
Colonel Mactaggart said that before the Council committed themselves to support anything, perhaps Mr Fisher would tell them what it was they were asked to support. Departmental Committees, and especially Sanitary Committees, were prone to look at things from a very one-sided point of view. It would be silly for the Council to express an opinion on a matter on which they had no information.