TEN YEARS AGO Friday May 10, 2013
Nurses out and about on bikes
As NHS Highland continues to make cuts to services in Campbeltown, the local nursing team has bought a new pushbike for making home visits.
A number of continuing care beds at the hospital have recently been marked for a removal, while a review into out-of-hours radiology services is ongoing.
Due to the growth of the community nursing team and the increased number of home visits, a car is not always available and only a small amount of funding was available to the team.
Rather than be left without transport, the team decided the best use for the money was to get a bike, fully equipped with panniers, a helmet, vest and a bell.
Team leader Louise Burke did her first patient check using the bike and said she thoroughly enjoyed it.
She said: “The patients were a little surprised when I arrived in a safety helmet and luminous vest, but I am sure that as the bicycle is used more it will become the norm.
“I hope that as the weather improves, more of the team will take advantage of a healthier mode of transport.”
Top award for Campbeltown school girl
Years of family holidays in France and a love of the country’s culture have certainly paid off for Campbeltown Grammar sixth-year pupil Sally Chute.
The 18-year-old has won a prize for excellence, finishing third in a prestigious national competition aimed at improving oral examinations of Advanced Higher French students. A total of 34 entries were received from 11 schools.
Sally received her award last Thursday at the meeting of the Rotary Club of Campbeltown which has been very supportive of her.
In February, to develop her language skills, she attended a five-day Eurosola Ecosse Project trip to Strasbourg funded by the Rotary.
Last week, she was presented with her prize by Jerry Toner of Heriot Watt University on behalf of AMOPA-Ecosse which organised the competition to promote the development of French language and culture.
Agnes Stewart of the Rotary Club said: “Sally has been a huge credit to the club as sponsors, and also to the languages department of Campbeltown Grammar.”
TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO Friday May 8, 1998 Market returns to Wee Toon
Penrith Farmers and Kidd’s Plc Campbeltown Auction Market had forward 163 store and breeding cattle and 72 sheep at their opening sale on Friday May 1.
With a large attendance of buyers present from all parts of England and Scotland, all lots were keenly bid for. Strong prime store cattle were in line with the national trend and sold accordingly, topping at £625 for a Simmental bullock from Mr R Millar, High Cattadale.
Grazing stirks were a sound trade throughout and sold well beyond sellers’ expectations, selling to £475 for a Charolais bullock, 10 months old.
FIFTY YEARS AGO Thursday May 10, 1973 Council news
Campbeltown’s old slaughterhouse buildings are to be demolished by local contractors Messrs A MacFadyen & Sons and the site is to be considered by the Town Council for a new burgh yard for the corporation employees.
The council are to take up the question of a joint county and burgh yard with Argyll County Council.
zWith a letter from the commercial manager of BEA explaining the changes in the summer schedule, many councillors expressed their complete dissatisfaction with the loss of the island link, and also the loss of freight facilities.
Ex-Provost D McKinnon said the new air service offer to the town was completely inadequate and out of date with modern times.
The council has since arranged to meet the commercial manager this week and discuss all aspects of the service which is causing concern locally.
zAt the meeting of Campbeltown Town Council it was agreed to allocate several houses to key workers in local industries, including Campbeltown Shipyard, Aero Technicians Ltd, Mac Foods, Rediffusion Ltd and Alba Delta Ltd.
One house was allocated to an occupational therapist.
Cave picture
At the recent hustings, Councillor William Campbell revealed that during the town’s busy tourist season last year, over 1,200 people visited the Davaar Island lighthouse station and that the island’s famous cave painting of the crucifixion was more popular than ever.
The poor condition of the painting is giving
much concern locally, and a party of councillors and officials and interested public are to visit the cave as soon as possible with a view to speeding up the necessary repairs.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO Saturday May 12, 1923 Rowdy youths
At Campbeltown Sheriff Court on Friday last, six youths whose ages range from 15 to 18 years appeared on a charge of disorderly conduct and a breach of the peace, committed at Baraskomill on April 11.
All pleaded guilty, and it was explained that the disturbance took the form of horse-play, knocking at doors of houses and running away, and generally rendering themselves obnoxious to householders.
In reply to Sheriff Macmaster Campbell, none of the boys could say that he attended Kirk, or belonged to Boy Scouts, Boys Brigade or other organisation of a kind, but one, after some hesitancy, volunteered the information that he had attended a Bible class.
His lordship decided to put the party on probation, and ordered them to reappear in court next Friday in order that arrangements might be made for them to report to a probation officer.
Whitehouse treat
The Misses Turner of Kilchamaig very thoughtfully entertained the children attending Whitehouse School on the occasion of the recent royal wedding.
A visit to the school was paid by Miss M B Turner, who had brought large supplies of cake and lemonade.
The national anthem was sung and afterwards each child was liberally supplied with the good things brought by the welcome visitor.
The Duke of York and his bride were very heartily cheered and a happy company dispersed after having thanked Miss Turner.
Editor's note: The then Duke and Duchess of York were the parents of the now late HRH Queen Elizabeth II; after the abdication of his older brother, they became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
Local news
Mr John Fyfe, Port Bannatyne, has launched a handsome new fishing skiff for a Girvan owner, and is laying the keel of another, also for the Girvan Fleet.
zIt is learned that there was a remarkably large accession to the membership of Highland Parish Church at the recent communion, some 70 new members joining.
zThe first block of houses built under municipal auspices is now completed and will be open for the inspection of the public for four days from Saturday.
The housing committee of the town council have been applying themselves, we hear, to the naming of the new houses, and have drawn upon the historic associations of the site for their inspiration. The name resolved upon is understood to be Castle Park.
zAt the Celtic Art and Highland Handicraft Exhibition which was opened in the McLellan Galleries, Glasgow, last week, Mr Alex MacKeith, Glenbarr, was awarded second prize for a cromag.
zWhat used to be a country seat of the Duke of Argyll, Whitton Park, near Twickenham, London, is now to be built upon.
zThe children's Saturday matinee at The Picture House is being discontinued meantime. At the ordinary showing on Saturday evening the music will be supplied by Mr A Richie Greig's Orchestra.
zKintyre Cattle Show which takes place at Campbeltown on Friday June 1, will be rounded off by sports carnival in the afternoon.
Mr Peter McSporran is the director in charge of this section, and he will be pleased to receive any suggestions with regard to the competitions from persons interested.