THE ARRAN BANNER 20 YEARS AGO

Saturday August 22, 1998

Road to ruin

At the end of Market Road in Brodick, there is a public coup and driving along this road is the only way for the public to gain access to this coup.

However, driving along this road is not an easy task. From Arran Dairies’ premises onwards, the road is littered with potholes, many of which have grown into craters full of water which it is impossible to avoid. Market Road, one might imagine, must be very close to the top of North Ayrshire Council’s (NAC) Road Department’s list of priorities but it is not as simple as that.

For not all of Market Road is NAC’s responsibility. The public part of the road ends outside the BP Scottish Oils depot, while NAC itself owns the stretch between Angus Lambie’s garage, which it tries to keep in good condition. But the stretch in between is jointly owned by all of the premises along the road. The premises of each business in fact, extends outwards as far as the middle of Market Road itself, and thus the responsibility for carrying out these repairs lies with the companies who own the road.

Companies the length of Market Road have said they would be happy to put their hands into their pockets to resolve the problem but the road needs more fundamental work to keep it in a good state of repair.

While they await NAC’s response, public access to the public coup is still a journey not to be taken lightly.

Millennium Auchrannium

Iain Johnston’s expansions plans for the Auchrannie have taken a big step forward. Plans for the massive development at Auchrannie have now been lodged.

These plans show a £6M development which is part a 30-bedroom extension to the hotel and part an Arran leisure centre such has never been seen before. The scale of the plans is shown by comparing the ground it will cover. The existing hotel occupies 3.95 hectares.

When the new development is complete they will have 42.5 hectares. Not all of it will be built on, however, some being earmarked for timeshare expansion should it be required.

The new leisure centre and landscaped area with putting green and outdoor tennis courts will occupy all the area between the present hotel and the road up Glencloy. The purchase of the land from Arran Estates is in its final stages and work should get underway this year, in time for the millennium, if niggles with red tape and financing does not delay the development.

Back to school

School began this Wednesday. One significant aspect of the new term which head teacher Susan Smith is setting a lot of store by is the dress code.

With enthusiasm being expressed by both parents and pupils, arrangements were in place last term with its full launch this week. And the response? ‘I’m delighted with the response,’ said Miss Smith.

‘We’re not talking of what people think of as an old style of uniform.’ In other words, no blazers, not even definitely shirts and ties, but predominantly black sweatshirts for the younger ones and v-neck sweaters as an option for the upper school. Prefects will wear red sweaters and polo shirts should they not like wearing a tie. Mrs Smith added: ‘A smart appearance assists towards smart behaviour and group pride.’

Winners of the first annual Hydro Electric Charity Golf day last Saturday were Alastair Dobson and Bert McGunnigle. They are pictured with Phil White and Alf Holliday of Hydro Electric at the prizegiving.

Bronze and Silver division winners at Brodick Ladies Open on Tuesday with lady captain Margaret Guald.

First day at school at Kilmory Primary. Mrs Todd with Connor McKellar, Michael Jenks, Mairi McAllister, Shannon Galloway, Bobbi Adamson, Jennifer Hemmings, Andrew Earle and Hannah Jackson.

Brodick beach is packed during the Brodick Beach Barbecue where the Arran Waterski-ing Championships took place.

Pictured at the recent Pirnmill Summer Fete: Fiona Laing and Daniel the donkey take Eilidh Kerr for a ride.