At Random
Recognition for The Oban Times
I AND three of my colleagues tripped the light fantastic on Thursday last week when we rolled down to Glasgow for the Scottish Press Awards.
We were there because The Oban Times had been shortlisted for the title of Weekly Newspaper of the Year.
It was a glittering, black tie affair held in the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Glasgow Central.
To very firmly blow our own trumpet, it was well-deserved recognition, I believe, for all the hard work put in by the newspaper’s entire staff.
We four journalists might have been the lucky ones to be feted among the great and the good of the Scottish media, but there are very many other people whose efforts every day help to make The Oban Times the excellent newspaper it is.
Our production team, advertising staff, accounts, admin and HR all make invaluable contributions to the newspaper. They, too, deserve a hearty pat on the back.
While we didn’t come home with the top prize, be rest assured we will not rest on our laurels. We will continue to do our best each day online and every week in the print edition to bring you the latest news, sport and features from across our circulation area.
I’d also like to thank the thousands of loyal readers buy the paper each week and who subscribe online for your continued support, as well as the very many advertisers who also back The Oban Times.
Parking inequality
WE REPORTED last week on the delay to the new and extended parking charges being introduced in various parts of Oban.
Apparently, Argyll and Bute Council is still waiting for new signs to arrive which will detail the charges.
Among the areas where people will have to pay are the Lochavullin, Longsdale and Ganavan car parks and areas including near the war memorial on the Esplanade. Why? I ask that simple question because there are no charges for parking in many other parts of the council area. Drivers park for free in Campbeltown, Tarbert and Lochgilphead, to name just three other towns in the region.
So why are we in Oban asked to pay?
The reason given by a council spokesperson is: ‘Oban is a busy town and, as such, there is a high demand for parking. The pay and display charges help to maintain the availability of spaces, increases the economic viability of the town and contributes to the safe management of traffic.’ I’d have thought you could make precisely that argument for Campbeltown, Tarbert and Lochgilphead. All three are bustling tourist destinations during the high season.
In the interests of fairness, either Oban should scrap parking charges or they should be introduced across the council area.
Group deserves widespread support
I TIP my tile to Councillor Roddy McCuish.
Roddy was very forthright and open last week about the fact he is dyslexic when he publicly backed the relaunch of an Oban support group for the condition.
He told those who gathered in Oban Library that he had ended up as 'the class clown' while at school as a result of not being diagnosed.
There should never be any stigma surrounding dyslexia and it is heartening public figures such as Roddy are open about it.
As we report elsewhere this week, the reformed Oban group plans to meet four times a year. Those involved deserve the widest support.
What do you think?
Write to me at mlaing@obantimes.co.uk or The Oban Times, Crannog Lane, Oban, PA34 4 HB or call 01631 568021.