TEN YEARS AGO
Friday December 27, 2013
Kintyre urged to resist coastal wind turbines
A Carradale resident is warning that wind turbine applications are putting the character and beauty of Kintyre at risk.
Duncan Murchie fears the area is in danger of “sleepwalking” towards becoming seen solely as a “wind farm platform”.
Mr Murchie is urging people throughout Kintyre to oppose bids for turbines around the peninsula’s coastal edges.
His concerns have been sparked by plans for two massive structures – 77 metres to blade tip – on land north west of Low Ugadale Farm, a few miles north of Peninver.
He told the Courier: “People in Kintyre have to ask where they want to be in 20 years’ time, what they want their landscape to be like. I fear a precedent if we let these two turbines go ahead.
“I don’t believe the industrialisation of our unique and unspoiled beauty is what Argyll and Bute Council wants or what the people want – and, if that is so, they have to make their voices heard by lodging their opposition to this proposal.”
Mr Murchie, formerly from Glasgow, retired to Torrisdale, near Carradale, with his wife, Ellen. It was the beauty of Kintyre which attracted them and it is that, he believes, which brings others to the area.
“The piecemeal development of turbines of this height and scale outside Kintyre’s central spine area could damage potential tourism development and threaten the success of our current and past efforts,” he said.
“Think of the accumulative effect upon the landscape of a plethora of turbines.
“We could be in danger of sleepwalking towards a future where Kintyre’s most distinguishing characteristic will be perceived as a wind farm platform.”
Scottish National Heritage has already voiced its concerns.
It has stated: “The potential cumulative interaction between different scales and design layout of turbines with other relevant wind energy development in this part of Kintyre (including any effect on the established development pattern) should be carefully considered and assessed.”
Top marks for cake-baking pupils
If the Christmas cakes baked by pupils and staff at Campbeltown Grammar School tasted half as good as they looked, then they would have been absolutely delicious.
Once again, the entrants for the school’s annual Christmas cake display surpassed themselves.
Home economics teacher Loma Millar said: “The pupils always start out wondering it they will be able to do this and end up surprising themselves by what they achieve.
“They also have a great deal of enjoyment planning, designing and baking their cakes.”
Most of the cakes were created by Mrs Millar’s S5/S6 cake craft class and her colleague Alison Woodrow’s hospitality class, with the rest by teachers.
Mrs Millar added: “Every year, we are surprised by just how different and unique the cakes are.”
TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO
Friday December 25, 1998
Castlehill kids say goodbye to teacher Pat
Castlehill Primary School said a huge “goodbye” to deputy head Mrs Pat McGlynn in a tearful presentation at the school on Thursday.
Mrs McGlynn, who teaches primary one, is leaving the school this Christmas to become head teacher at Southend Primary.
The youngest pupil in the school presented Mrs McGlynn with flowers while the oldest gave her a gorgeous handmade card, in which every pupil had written a message.
Mrs McGlynn said that even though she is looking forward to starting in Southend, she will really miss Castlehill.
FIFTY YEARS AGO
Thursday December 27, 1973
Glenbarr party
On Wednesday of last week, the senior citizens of Killean and Kilchenzie Parish made their way to Glenbarr Hall where they were to be the guests of the Woman’s Guild of the Church.
It was a very stormy evening but they were quickly welcomed into the warmth in of the well-decorated hall.
The most enjoyable programme which followed was introduced by the President, Mrs Graham.
Mr Peter Sinclair opened the proceedings with accordion selections and soon feet were tapping all over the hall.
There followed beautiful renderings of well-known songs from Mrs Isobel MacDonald, Mrs Temple, Mrs Taylor and Mr Duncan MacKinnon.
Six girls then took the floor and performed several dances in a delightful manner. These girls had been trained by Mrs Beckitt who herself charmed the company with a solo dance.
Mrs Sutherland was at the piano throughout the evening and her skillful assistance was much appreciated by singers and dancers.
The tea and ice-cream and fruit which was served made it clear that the Guild members believed that their senior citizens should have the best which they could offer.
Mr Boyd thanked hostesses and Mr Sutherland added his thanks to the artistes.
This most happy, friendly evening ended with the singing of Auld Lang Syne.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO
Saturday December 29, 1923
Town news
The grocers in town will be closed during the first three days of the year.
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Athletic sports are again to be a feature of the New Year’s Day celebrations at Southend.
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We wish all our readers a happy and prosperous New Year. May those who have been passing through hard times see happier days in 1924!
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A concert in aid of the renovation fund of the Highland Parish Church, Campbeltown, will be given at Tayinloan on Wednesday, 9th January.
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A movement is on foot to resuscitate the Largieside Ploughing Match, and a meeting to this end will be held at Tayinloan on Friday, 4th January, at 8 p.m.
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Next Sunday will be the last day of the united services in the Highland Parish Church, as Castlehill Church will be reopened on the first Sunday of the New Year.
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The Town Clock ceased operations on Christmas morning. Likely it took a holiday, thinking it was a bank, by seeing all the folk taking all their money to the Town Chamberlain in these rate paying days.
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The newsagents in town will be closed all day on New Year’s Day. Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s newspapers will be on sale on Wednesday after arrival of the steamer.
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Two popular Clyde skippers – Capt. M’Tavish of the Columba and Capt. MacArthur of the Grenadier – have, after long and faithful service, with Messrs MacBrayne, been placed on the retired list.
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Breaches of the lighting-up regulations for wheeled vehicles are expensive. Several cases have been heard recently both in the J.P. Court and in the Burgh Police Court against cyclists and carters – principally the later, and each offender has had the penalty of 15s imposed on him.
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Special steamer runs will be made to and from Campbeltown on Hogmanay. Exiles who hope to spend a holiday at home and can’t get away sooner are catered for by the Campbeltown Company in connection with the 12.50 p.m. train from Glasgow Central to Gourock on Monday; while for Campbeltonians at home who desire to jaunt and gallivant an extra steamer leaves here on Monday p.m. There will be no steamer service from either end on New Year’s Day.
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The committee appointed a few weeks ago to investigate the proposed scheme for the installation of electric light at Tarbert have not yet reported the result of their enquiries, but there can be no question as to the desire of the community to see the project adopted.
It has, however, been suggested that if there is any probability at the outset or in the future of extending the system to Ardrishaig and Lochgilphead, a power station somewhere in the neighbourhood of Inverneill (where there is said to be an ample supply of water) would be preferable to one at Kintarbert.
Christmas party
The children of the Skipness district were entertained at the Castle on Christmas Day.
The afternoon was one of bitter wind and sleet, but as Mrs Graham had arranged for the outlying families to be driven up, everybody arrived dry and comfortable.
The children were received by Mr Graham, who introduced them to the Christmas tree, and they afterwards proceeded to the dining room to have tea.
After disposing of the eatables, an adjournment was made to the hall, where a series of romping games soon made the afternoon fly past.
Before leaving, the children, each received a suitable Christmas present.
