TEN YEARS AGO
Friday October 18, 2013
Quay is key to Dalintober Beach regeneration
They have big plans and they now have a formal name. Dalintober Beach cleaners mean business – if that was not already made clear by the removal of more than five tons of rubbish from Campbeltown’s shoreline in August.
The small band of likeminded town residents, who are determined to restore the neglected beach to its former glory, have formed the Dalintober Beach Regeneration Group.
Its new chairman, Jamie McLean, told Campbeltown Community Council last week that the group had formed a committee, was in the process of opening a bank account and was planning fundraising events.
It is also looking at funding sources for work on the beach and restoring the crumbling B-listed Dalintober Quay.
Mr McLean said the group was getting support from Argyll and Bute Council, including a structural report on the quay.
“We want the beach usable and tidy again; it has been a mess for years,” said Mr McLean.
Catriona McSporran, a founding member of the beach group, said: “We are concentrating on the beach. We want to get blue flag status for it and then we will try and get funding for the quay.”
Argyll and Bute councillor Rory Colville said approval would be needed by Historic Scotland before anything could be done with the quay because of its listed status, but suggested it could become a site to mark the town’s herring fishing heritage with static displays and interpretation boards.
“It was once a huge industry here,” he said. Councillor Colville said previous plans to do something with the quay stalled around seven years ago because of the serious sewage problems existing then in Campbeltown Loch.
The community council agreed it could help the group in writing letters to possible funding sources.
Mr McLean said: “We have a committee now, but it would be good to see other people come along who are interested in this community project to give Campbeltown a beach it can be proud of for locals and visitors.”
TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO
Friday October 16, 1998
Help to fight the bug
Help is at hand for businesses in Argyll and the Islands to help them face up to the potentially crippling effects of the millennium bug.
A group of computer experts, unofficially known as the ‘bug busters’, have been trained by Argyll and Islands Enterprise (AIE) to help companies prepare for the effects and investigate how the computer bug will affect them.
Research has shown that many firms in the area may suffer equipment failure and related system problems if they ignore the fast approaching problem.
AIE’s information technology adviser Melody McKay said: “A huge variety of equipment used in the area may have microchips which cannot handle the change of year from 1999 to 2000. It is not just computers – production equipment, refrigeration units, heating and security systems have to be looked at.”
Assistance towards 50 per cent of the costs and up to a maximum of £500 of taking on an accredited Year 2000 consultant may be available from AIE. The independent IT expert will check systems and equipment before drawing up an action plan for the company.
Melody added: “Businesses need to find out how they and their suppliers are likely to be affected and what action should be taken. Our network of accredited computer companies is there to help.”
FIFTY YEARS AGO
Thursday October 18, 1973
Kintyre triumph at Mòd
Kintyre has every reason to be proud of its record at the Gaelic Mòd this year.
Not only because of the successes of the Campbeltown and Carradale choirs and of Hugh A MacCallum in the piping, but also of the spirited determination shown by so many people in the area to maintain and develop the cultural heritage of Scotland.
The Campbeltown Choir appeared on TV and looked as if they were enjoying themselves, none more so than their spirited conductor Miss Isa Graham. This was after they had won the Greenock Gaelic Choir Cup for peurt-a-beul.
When the choir got back to Campbeltown, Miss Graham said: “When I was asked to take over the Gaelic Choir in November 1972, I was a bit apprehensive about it. The choir had had quite a reputation of success – could I follow on? I decided to try but was rather disappointed at first in the turnout for rehearsals and wondered if the choir would fall through.
“This could have been because the choir had still to become accustomed to my ways and I had to get to know the choir. Gradually we adjusted and by the time we went to the Mòd, I felt we could do something but never allowed the choir or myself to think so.
“Rehearsals prior to the competitions were unbelievably bad but, as always, Campbeltown Gaelic Choir rose to the occasion and I hope they will continue to do so next year and get the premier award.
“My thanks go to the choir for their hard work and the feeling I had established rapport with them.”
But to do this, the choir has to keep up its standards and its membership. So if anyone is interested in investing in success, particularly those with good male voices, the choir would welcome them and any young people who are interested.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO
Saturday October 20, 1923
Distinguished visitor
Among recent visitors to Campbeltown has been Sir John Maffey KCSI, who was shooting on Laggan as the guest of Mr Broad.
Sir John is the Chief Commissioner of the North West Frontier Province of India – The Warden of the Indian Marches.
He has held many important posts in India, among others that of private secretary to the Viceroy, but most of his service has been spent on the frontier.
His administration of the Frontier Province has been conspicuously successful and his personal influence over the wild and warlike tribesmen who inhabit the hills between India and Afghanistan is great.
His name was recently prominently before the public in connection with his successful efforts to effect the release of Miss Ellis from the hands of the outlaws who had kidnapped her from British territory.
It was at Sir John Maffey’s suggestion, and accompanied by a native subordinate of his, that Miss Starr made her adventurous and successful journey into the tribal territory to rescue Miss Ellis. That journey was only made possible by the prestige and influence of Sir John Maffey’s name among the tribesmen lying beyond our Indian border.