Town’s friendly workaday atmosphere

Sir,

In early June I returned to Campbeltown for the first time in 25 years, since editing the Courier for a sixmonth period in the summer of 1992.

I was made very welcome at the Courier office and really enjoyed seeing the Wee Toon again.

My impression of Campbeltown after all this time was the minimal amount of change apparent. The town retains its friendly workaday atmosphere in a beautiful lochside setting.

One noticeable absence was the lack of trawler manufacturing, which was on-going in my time and the Courier must have featured one of the last trawler launches.

I was delighted to see the car ferry and managed to get across on the speedboat to Ballycastle in Ireland which was not running 25 years ago and

nearly not last week due to the weather.

The new leisure centre was impressive and I understand Campbeltown School – which my daughter Alice attended – is being renewed. It was good to see the distilleries attracting plenty of tourists – there were very few 25 years ago.

The town hall refurbishments were impressive and will enhance the many events planned there and the Royal also is stunning, I felt sad to see many other buildings in need of some TLC but sure they will catch up in time.

From a tourist’s point of view, it would be great to have some cycles to hire, including those designed for ladies. I was having serious difficulties getting around due to a back problem.

I picked a quiet midweek slot – next time my visit will be during the music festival – also new to me.

Thanks for helping bring back some old memories. Jan Porter, Lee.