TEN YEARS AGO
Friday November 22, 2013
West Coast Motors takes over Glasgow firm
West Coast Motors has acquired Glasgow-based Fairline Coaches.
The acquisition will allow the Campbeltown-based company to expand its touring programmes and private-hire offering to local schools, groups and event organisers.
Colin Craig, managing director, said: “I am delighted with this acquisition as it complements our recent purchase of Bowman’s Tours, renamed West Coast Tours, and strengthens our offering company-wide and at a local level by introducing a further 16 vehicles to our 175 fleet.
“The new vehicles offer greater flexibility for group hire, transfers and tours as they range from 16 seat mini-buses through to 70-seat coaches – all offering a very high specification.
“While Fairline Coaches is Glasgow-based, I am keen to ensure the benefits of the acquisition are felt throughout our business, particularly in Argyll and Bute.
“The new additions to the fleet will offer opportunities for group travel to and from Argyll and Bute – serving the community and bringing much-needed visitors to the area.”
Fairline’s former owner Pawan Sood said: “Having spent many years building up my business, I am extremely pleased to be handing it over to such a reputable and successful company which I know will take it forward and, importantly, offer a bright future for Fairline’s 31 staff.”
MP opposes Post Office closure
The temporary closure of Carradale East Post Office is being opposed by Argyll and Bute MP Alan Reid.
The Post Office will close its doors from December 16 following a decision by owner Angela Arkell of the neighbouring Paterson’s shop and bakery.
Now Post Office Limited is looking at the viability of the service at Carradale East and has suggested the possibility of an outreach service with limited hours.
Mr Reid has told Post Office Limited that the temporary closure was “completely unacceptable”.
He said the Post Office should surely be able to find someone to operate on a temporary basis until a permanent postmaster or postmistress is found.
He said Carradale Post Office must stay open permanently: “An outreach service would be unacceptable for a village of this size of population.”
He added: “For people in rural areas, being able to make universal credit applications and collect their pensions and benefits at Post Offices is important.”
TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO
Friday November 27, 1998
Beef’s back
The lifting of the worldwide beef exporting ban has been met with mixed reactions by Kintyre farmers and their representatives.
Members of the farming community and MPs are delighted the Ministers believe British farmers have fulfilled the framework paper, known as the Florence Agreement, which set out terms that had to be met before the export ban could be lifted.
However, many Kintyre beef farmers are wary about the decision, and recognise there is a long way to go before they recover fully from the BSE crisis.
Kintyre NFU president Robert Millar said: “This is excellent news, but it has taken far too long to happen. It is going to take a while, but that doesn’t matter. It is up to us to improve things. It is long over-due.”
But Clachan farmer Colin McCallum of Strachnafanaig Farm is not getting his hopes up yet.
He said: “I hope it will make a difference, but I do not think it will in the short term. Ireland has not had much success since their export ban was lifted some time ago. It is going to take considerable time to repair the damage.”
FIFTY YEARS AGO
Thursday November 29, 1973
Council urges oil development but villagers object
The majority of Campbeltown’s town councillors are in favour of the proposed £40m plus oil development near Peninver.
This was made clear at a special meeting of the council last Wednesday.
Provost Archie McCallum asked each councillor in turn for their views on the oil refinery subject and all but two spoke favourably of the plan.
One councillor who had reservations was Tom Coulson who said: “The town will be swamped by a massive industry. They have promised only an oil refinery but a chemical works and maybe a steel works are sure to follow.
“Only last week, I spoke to a steel developer who was interested in the bi-products of the refinery for a smelter. We had better watch Campbeltown doesn’t bite off more than it can chew.”
Councillor Alastair McKinlay added that the coming of such a massive industry could ruin all the smaller light industries which the Council has worked so hard to attract.
“Their labour forces could well be attracted by the higher wage offers,” he said.
Councillor George McMillan, chairman of Argyll County Council’s Planning Committee, confirmed that an application by developer Michael Monopiro, Gatehouse of Fleet, Kirkcudbrightshire, had been received for the proposed construction of an oil refinery at Ardnacross and Kilkeddan Farms, near Peninver.
“The construction of the refinery would employ nearly 1,500 men, with a permanent staff of 200 skilled and semi-skilled workers,” said Councillor McMillan.
Councillor William McDougall said: “I believe this refinery will do nothing but good for Campbeltown.”
Councillor James McKinlay said: “For years, Campbeltonians have been taken advantage of by their employers by getting only small wages. Now our labour force has a chance to earn really good money without having to leave their beloved Campbeltown as I had to.”
Councillor Donald McPhee said: “We need a permanent industry in Campbeltown, and I believe oil development will help smaller industries in the building trade.
“It’s Scotland’s oil and it’s a big cake. Let’s make sure we get a good slice of it for Campbeltown.”
Earlier this week, the Courier spoke to Mr Eddie McCallum who runs the caravan park at Peninver Sands.
He told us: “It is all right for the council to talk favourably of the oil refinery as they are six miles away. But what about us who live in Peninver? Anyway, our roads would surely have to be improved for such a massive project.”
Asked if the coming of such a refinery would have an adverse effect on his tourist trade at the caravan at Peninver Sands, he said: “Yes, but even if I hadn’t got the caravans, I would still be against this thing. I know nearly all of the village is. Lots of people are planning write to the Secretary of State about the matter.”
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO
Saturday November 24, 1923
Ailsa Craig food supplies
Owing to the succession of storms recently, it had been found impossible for some time to land foodstuffs on Ailsa Craig but, on Monday, the usual boat left Girvan for the Craig, loaded with provisions, which they were able to land.
There are about 40 men employed on the Craig quarrying granite, which is in good demand. Occasionally, they are ‘marooned’ for considerable periods by winter storms, but there is no danger of actual starvation taking place as there are plenty of rabbits and semi-wild goats on the island.
Medical Officer’s quarterly report
Taken from the quarterly report by the Medical Officer of Health for the Burgh of Campbeltown, for the period to September 30 as submitted to the November meeting of the Town Council:
“Four of the deaths recorded, one-sixth of the whole, were due to malignant disease or cancer, the increasing fatality of which throughout the country is becoming a source of serious concern to public health authorities.
“We are still much in the dark as to the cause of this disease, but we do know that in its recognition at the earliest possible moment, and its thorough removal if practicable by operation then, we have the most promising hope of eradication and, therefore, on the occurrence of any symptoms at all suggestive of this malady no time should be lost in obtaining skilled advice.
“There has been very little infectious disease during the quarter and, on the whole, it may be regarded as quite a healthy one.”
T Harvey Thomson MD, DPH, Medical Officer of Health.