FROM OUR FILES
TEN YEARS AGO Friday January 1, 2010 Triple the fun at Christmas
Christmas was extra special at the Dalnaspidal Guest House, Tangy, for the Lavery Family.
It was the first Christmas for triplets Skye, Charl and Islay, and proud parents David and Lolita.
The triplets were born at the Queen Mother’s Hospital, Glasgow, on May 29 last year; they weighed in at 5lbs 10oz for Charl, 4lbs 10oz for Islay and 4lbs 1oz for Skye. Since then they’ve gone from strength to strength and they’re keeping mum and dad on their toes!
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO Friday January 6, 1995 Posties lick Christmas rush
Campbeltown’s posties had to deal with record numbers of Christmas cards and letters over the festive period.
A staggering 243,415 items were delivered throughout South Kintyre in the 25 days leading up to Christmas, with 12.3 million being handled throughout the area covered by the PA postcode – Argyll, Renfrewshire and the Western Isles – which was one million more than last year.
On Islay, 33,307 Christmas cards and letters were dealt with, as west coast posties battled through driving rain in the Christmas run-up.
Willie Durnan, the acting Royal Mail manager in Campbeltown, praised the efforts of staff. ‘Everything went smoothly even although the numbers of cards and letters went up,’ he said.
‘Thankfully, the public seem to have taken heed of advice to post early this year.
‘We’ve really noticed the difference, with deliveries being spread over two or three weeks. It made life a whole lot easier for us.’
People in Scotland posted a record 154 million items of festive mail – 19 million more than Christmas 1993. Volumes reached a peak on Monday December 19 – when 12.5 million cards and letters were posted in Scotland, more that twice the average handled in a day.
Petrol monopoly?
Campbeltown funeral director Alasdair Blair claims drivers were almost marooned earlier this week – because of what he calls the ‘ridiculous petrol monopoly’ in the town.
However, his claim that the County Garage’s early closing times caused unnecessary problems was rebuked on Tuesday by the garage’s Mike Carmichael.
Mr Blair said: ‘I think it’s ridiculous that the garage was closed at 2pm on Monday. Drivers were almost marooned.
‘Both my son, David, and a family from Greenock arrived at 2.30pm to find it shut. Luckily, we managed to get them to open although they were locking up, but surely having a monopoly doesn’t give a business a licence to abuse people.
‘If it had been half an hour later they would have been stuck, and I’m sure others must have been hit. People coming from out of town had no way of knowing there would not be anywhere to buy petrol. I am so annoyed about the situation.’
Mr Carmichael said: ‘The closing times over New Year were advertised, but even on Tuesday when we were supposed to close at 2pm we decided to stay open as there were unfamiliar faces about. We stayed open until those who would have been leaving had filled up.
‘If someone does get caught out, most people know that they can contact the police station, and they can get in touch with garage staff members to help them out.’
FIFTY YEARS AGO Thursday January 1, 1970 Students hit out at Kintyre hoteliers
Hoteliers in Kintyre are apathetic, according to the Scottish Hotel School students who recently conducted a survey in Kintyre as part of their training.
In charge of the work was Dr David Pattison, who is a lecturer at the Scottish Hotel School.
The director of the Scottish Hotel School, Dr John Fuller, said that the findings in Kintyre were symptoms of a ‘general malaise’ in the Scottish hotel industry. He added: ‘I should say that this so-called apathy is not confined to Kintyre. However, I do feel that the students did come to fairly sweeping conclusions. ‘Perhaps it was a bit early for them to burst into print with pontifications about the hoteliers in Kintyre.’
ONE-HUNDRED YEARS AGO Saturday January 3, 1920 Campbeltown War Memorial
Campbeltown’s War Memorial Committee have now issued their appeal for subscriptions.
It is addressed to residents in the burgh and parish, and should have a generous and immediate response. In the course of their circular the committee say: ‘It has been decided to erect a monument in Kinloch Park to commemorate the men of Campbeltown Burgh and Parish who fell in the Great War.
‘Over 200 natives of this district gave their lives in our righteous cause, and that the memorial may suitably express the admiration and gratitude due to such sacrifice and devotion, the committee appeal for a sum less than £3,000. No district has responded more generously than ours to every call made during the war: and now that victory and peace have been secured, the committee come to the public confident that the support given will be worthy of our gallant dead, and may, in appropriate form, convey to succeeding generations the patriotic spirit and the heroic deeds which distinguished their countrymen in the supreme crisis of our race.
‘The committee, knowing the desire of each member of the community to have a share in this memorial to “The Boys who will Never Return,” express the hope that none will hesitate to subscribe because of the modesty of their contribution, for no subscription will be too small, just as none can be too large, for so noble a purpose.’
The Hon. Treasurer of the fund is Major Thos. Mackelvie, C.M.G., to whom subscriptions should be remitted.
St. John’s 141
The installation of office bearers and annual festival were observed by St. John’s Masonic Lodge, No. 141, last Friday night, and were attended by as large a gathering of Masons – if not the largest – that the oldest brethren remember seeing in the lodge precincts on any similar occasion.
The lodge was constituted at 7 o’clock, when the installing Masters present were Bros. Neil Watson, Immediate Past Master, J. N. Mactaggart, P.M., J. B. Weir, P.M., and Colonel Charles Mactaggart, C.S.I., C.I.E., I.M.S.
The installation was carried out by Bros. Neil Watson, I.P.M., and J. N. Mactaggart, P.M., the new officer bearers being: R.W.M., Bro. John McCallum (Lochend); Deputy Master, Bro. John Smith (Barochan Place); Substitute Master, Bro. Alex. Shaw; Secretary, Bro. A. S. Paterson; Treasurer, Bro. Hugh Carmichael, jr.; Senior Warden, Bro. Peter McPherson; Junior Warden, Bro. Jas. H. Mackenzie; Senior Deacon, Bro. Alex. Kennedy; Junior Deacon, Bro. John McLaren; Inner Guard, Bro. J. Donald; Jeweller, Bro. C. McGaw; Architect, Bro. Dean of Guild McArthur; Tyler, Bro. P. McKay; Stewards, Bros. Dan Douglas, Donald McArthur, Stanley Noel, and Alex. Cook.
Afterwards the brethren adjourned from labour to refreshment, when a most successful and enjoyable evening was spent in song and sentiment. An excellent supper was served. The customary loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured, and songs, readings and instrumental items were contributed.