Royal honour for stalwart David
One of the highlights of Oban Charities Day at the weekend was an awards ceremony that saw The Oban Times’ David Buchanan receiving the British Empire Medal for his voluntary service to football from Lord Lieutenant of Argyll and Bute, Patrick Stewart. Street party organiser Graham MacQueen paid tribute to David as ‘a role model of stewardship’ who had been ‘the heart of Oban Saints Football Club since its inception in 1960’. Charities day and street party picture special
SATURDAY’S packed street party blending Oban Charities Day and the Queen’s official 90th birthday celebrations has been hailed as a great success, writes Sandy Neil.
John Lloyd of Oban Lions Club, which organises Oban Charities Day, said many of the 46 charities present had reported their highest takings ever at the annual event.
Fundraising fun included a pirate treasure map from Spotlight MTG, splat the rat from Hope 2 Oban, Rotary of Oban’s spin the wheel, a tombola from Rockfield Centre masked as senior Royals, clowning around by the Royal Voluntary Service, and even crazy socks from the North Argyll Carers Centre. St Columba’s Primary School, dressed as Queen Elizabeth II and crew aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, won best stall, followed by the Africa-inspired Pelandaba Orphan Fund, and the MS Therapy Centre.
Best in parade went to Soroba Young Families, who came as a Royal tea party, while second prize was awarded to St Columba’s primary school, and third equal to Oban Rainbows 1st and 2nd, in their regal red and golden crowns.
Lord Lieutenant Patrick Stewart MBE, Her Majesty’s representative in Argyll and Bute, said: ‘It was a terrific parade with a happy atmosphere, and the enormous charity displays show Oban is not just a commercial engine, but a strong, self-supporting community. Their charity effort will be the envy of many other communities.’
The Lord Lieutenant sent Oban’s warmest congratulations to the Queen, and thanked her for her decades of service, before cutting a magnificent three-tier birthday cake, helped by his wife Mrs Mary Anne Stewart.
Her Majesty’s last visit to Oban, to open the Lorn and Islands Hospital in 1995, was a very enjoyable event, he recalled, except for Prince Philip’s conversation with a driving instructor, when the duke is reported to have asked: ‘How do you keep the natives off the booze long enough to get them past the test?’
An awards ceremony then began with The Oban Times’ David Buchanan receiving the British Empire Medal for his voluntary service to football. Street party organiser Graham MacQueen paid tribute to him as ‘a role model of stewardship’ who had been ‘the heart of Oban Saints Football Club since its inception in 1960’.
He continued: ‘His personal input has been instrumental in the expansion and success of the team. His enthusiasm week on week, and dedication to fair play, has led to success on the field, and pride in the players.’
Patrick Stewart then presented the Oban Winter Festival Committee with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. Mr MacQueen said: ‘If ever there was an example of volunteering, it is the Oban Winter Festival.’ He added as light rain fell: ‘It takes bravery for any committee to put on an event in Oban in November, let alone June.’
After the ceremonies concluded at 4pm, the Patrick Stewart told
The Oban Times that his ‘expectations were surpassed’, and he thanked Oban Lions Club and Mr MacQueen for running the event ‘ without a hitch’.
Jim Edge of The Lion’s Club said it wanted to thank Land Engineering for creating space and making the event possible in Station Square, and the lads of MacQueen Bros Removals and Oban Camanachd for their help in putting up the stalls.