THE ARRAN BANNER 20 YEARS AGO

Saturday November 13, 1999

No safe harbour

The ferry, currently with nowhere to go should the wind blow up, should soon have an emergency port again. Two weeks ago, she could not sail from Brodick because Gourock pier was out of action. Today work is to commence that will ensure that Gourock can take MV Caledonian Isles should she be unable to enter Ardrossan harbour due to strong westerly winds.

CalMac have said that they had hoped that work on Gourock pier would have been completed in September. Since no disruption was likely before then, they did not inform the travelling public. Unexpectedly, however, movement of the sea wall stopped work and time passed and winter and the first disruption hit them unprepared.

A contractor will be onsite today and will work flat out, tide and weather permitting, to finish the job. The work should be completed by the middle of December and, unfortunately, until that time MV Caledonian Isles won’t be able to divert to Gourock in bad weather.

Standing down

Peter Marshall has retired as station officer for HM Coastguard. Peter has become well known for his calm demeanor, whether it is a beach search for phosphorous flares, an overdue boat, a missing person or ensuring a safe site for landing the rescue helicopter. Peter has 33 years’ experience and what he does not know about the service is not worth knowing. The new station officer is David McKinnon.

Holy visit

In May 1993, His Holiness the Dalai Lama almost came to Holy Isle to visit Samye Ling’s new place for retreat. Unseasonable snow forced him to cancel the visit but this summer he may, finally, get to Holy Isle.

An inauguration service will be held in the multi-faith Centre for World Peace which is based around the farmhouse and he has been invited to attend to perform the opening ceremony. Those who were disappointed not to meet him last time may have another opportunity.

01_B46twenty03 The cast of Peter Pan, Wendy and the Never Never Land prior to their performance at Lamlash Community Theatre.

01_B46twenty04 Arran’s social workers workers have now moved from Arranton into the refurbished council offices. Enjoying their new premises are social worker Colin Turbett with two mainland colleagues, Doreen Prince and Russell Collins.

01_B46twenty05 Past captain of Lamlash Ladies’ Golf Club, Joy Elliot presents Ellie Jones with the Championship Trophy at the club’s prize-giving dinner.

01_B46twenty01 Arran Dancers strike a pose at their day-long workshop with the Janice Marshall School of Dance.

01_B46twenty02 Peter and Pat Geddes, who have been in a year-long dispute with BT to secure a reliable telephone service, are pictured outside their newly renovated home which they have built up from a burned-out shell at Auchareoch.