1975
Forty Years Ago
In the past, The Banner closed for its annual two week holiday so there will be no 20 years ago this week. But we have instead delved into our archives and have brought to you 40 years ago, when the Banner was still in its infancy, so we apologise for some of the picture quality. Coming next week, 30 years ago.
Sannox sand
14 January 1975.Only two and a half years ago, residents of Sannox unanimously expressed their concerns at sand removal operations. A signed petition was presented to Councillor Fisher Gilmore and he arranged a meeting with the estate and a village spokesman.
Assurances of close council scrutiny were obtained, plus an estate stipulation that further removal would be on the understanding that the site was to be re-packed and sand only taken in small quantities from various spots, thus lessening the effect. But why all of the fuss? Surely the estate is entitled to sell what belongs to it? The anxiety stems from the brunt that the village will have to bear once operations cease. A major fear is that the burn will ‘punch through’ at the point of removal leaving a stenchy channel along the village seafront. This would also involve a loss of beach. The other fear has already materialised - a substantial loss of lush sea-washed turf, a public amenity hard won through time.
Blockade is off
7 April 1975. Thirty three fishing vessels blockading the port of Ardrossan since Monday morning, returned to their home ports on Thursday after receiving word from their strike action committee in Aberdeen to call off their the blockade after assurance of government action on their grievances.
Although the fisherman allowed the MV Glen Sannox to make an early morning run to Arran on Monday morning they told Caledonian MacBrayne she would not be permitted to come back to Ardrossan. Passengers for Arran were redirected to Gourock where the Glen Sannox continued the service to the island. Later she was joined by the MV Hebrides which normally operates between Skye and West Loch Tarbet.
Arran district councillor Fisher Gilmore said: ‘Although the blockading of Ardrossan is causing some inconvenience there is a great deal of sympathy for the fisherman. Provided we have a service of sorts coming in we will have no problems. To put an hour or thereabouts on to the journey is not all bad when one considers there might be no service at all.’
Torpedo netted
15 November 1975. A fishing boat netted a 15 foot torpedo off Arran on Wednesday. The Golden Years from Leith, dropped it in 20 feet of water at the end of the Brodick Pier where it was secured by Navy divers who were on the island dealing with a mine. Later in the day, the torpedo recovery boat Haversham arrived from Faslane to pick up the torpedo. On Tuesday a mine was spotted floating off the jetty at Pirnmill. The Royal Navy mine disposal team exploded it on Wednesday.