What's In This Week's Oban Times - 24th May 2023

We have lots of interesting news and photographs for you in this week's Oban Times newspaper and at www.obantimes.co.uk

 

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The Oban and District Cancer Research UK committee have been congratulating their chairperson Christine Pearson for her 55 years of service. During that time the committee has raised more than £500,000 for the charity.

 

It is also a year since Argyll & Bute went to the polls to elect a new council, with some new and familiar faces elected. We invited all seven councillors across Oban North & Lorne, and Oban South & the Isles, to tell us what they have achieved in their year in office.

 

Over on Mull, Tobermory campsite owners Angus and Catriona Williams have thanked The Oban Times for helping them to end a ferry saga that was costing them thousands in lost takings. The couple had been struggling to get a designer caravan to Mull since they purchased it in February, but to their relief it has now arrived at its destination.

 

Work to clear a scenic plot of land for auction near Tayvallich has outraged a rural community, who are demanding that it be restored. Argyll & Bute Council has already put a temporary stop notice on the plot at Bellanoch Brae, but residents are waiting to see what happens next

 

Oban Mòd is also coming to town next weekend, with entries now in for the two-day celebration of everything Gaelic. It will be showcasing talents of all ages on stages across the town.

 

In other news, CalMac has vowed to fix glitches in its new ticketing system that was launched last week. Over the weekend CalMac cancelled some ferry bookings to Mull at the last minute, causing one pensioner to miss his birthday party.

 

Islay's lifeline ferry service could be facing a meltdown in June if the island's services lose 50 per cent of their capacity. The island's ferry committee issued the warning as it urged CalMac to make a contingency plan.

 

Elsewhere, we get reaction as Barra's new hospital is axed for being too costly and Highland Council is unlikely to need a Royal Navy party boat as a replacement for the Corran Ferry. The MV Maid of Glencoul is due to be fixed by Monday June 5.

 

A hub for wellness tourism could on its way to the Isle of Lismore and Benderloch gained a new coronation stone of its own as our new monarch was crowned.

 

Meanwhile, a large group of parents gathered at the Oban Community Play Park last weekend to take a group photograph in front of a broken piece of play equipment. They wanted to express their frustration and push Argyll & Bute Council to make repairs to parts of the park that are still to be repaired.

 

In the sport, we have the latest from last weekend's shinty action after an entertaining game at Mossfield between Oban Camanachd and Kinlochsheil.

 

We have lots of rugby for you this week, with reports from the Mull Sevens, Etive Dalriada, and Oban Lorne under-14s and under-16s.

 

The Oban Sportive also took place at the weekend, with the Ben Cruachan Inn Hill Climb on Saturday and two long sportive courses on Sunday, bringing more than 120 cyclists to Argyll.

 

There is plenty of golf news as we hear the latest from Bob MacIntyre as the Oban golfer remained philosophical after a tough event at the PGA Championships. The 26-year-old was applauded for his kind efforts to support the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, and we also have a preview before next month's Oban Rotary Am Am.

 

We have the latest from Friday night's Oban & District darts action and a report from the recent Martin and Lewis Rae testimonial match between Lochnell and Oban Saints.

 

You can read all these stories and more by visiting www.obantimes.co.uk or by picking up a copy of our newspaper in local shops and garages.