Oban Times From Our Files - 19.12.24

Par for the course for Catherine Ann

 

Tobermory Golf Club vice-captain Tom Nun, a postman by day, was able to deliver some extra cheer for Christmas to Catherine Ann MacCrone, the lucky winner of the club’s new ‘Par for the Course’ annual draw.

 

Members of the ‘64 club’ pay £64 per year to help the club fund machinery replacement.

 

Fifty per cent of all money received is ploughed back into monthly and yearly prizes, including November draws for £1,000 and £500.

 

Some numbers are still available to anyone who would like a chance to win next year’s Christmas gift. 

TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO

Thursday December 16, 1999 

Corran Halls plan outlined

 

Long-awaited plans to redevelop Oban’s Corran Halls look set to become reality. Phase one of the action plan could see a 120-seat theatre created within the café, plus disabled access to the library, a disabled toilet and an external facelift.

 

Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee gave the go-ahead to the proposals and agreed to negotiations with the Scottish Arts Council regarding funding.

 

Depending on the success of the initial project, phases two and three would see the main hall and stage redeveloped.

 

The move follows a consultant’s report and public consultation on the future of the Oban venue.

 

 ‘I think Oban is seen as an arts centre for the West coast and we have got to rise to that occasion and make sure we provide the infrastructure for it,’ said Councillor Robin Banks.

 

But Councillor Campbell Cameron dismissed the current approach as ‘almost Mickey Mouse’. 

 

‘If we are going to go ahead with something we have got to do it properly or not at all,’ he said. 

 

‘I am a wee bit concerned about this step-by-step approach. It does seem to me that it is one little piece when we should be looking at the bigger picture and seeing what we can do.’

 

Mr Cameron said 120 seats was ‘on the small side’ and Councillor Donald McIntosh agreed there should be more.

 

However, the committee was told that the seating would be adequate for the type of performances envisaged and that the main hall would still be available for large-scale shows.

 

Seamus Lalor, Argyll and Bute’s head of economic development, said the Corran Halls had ‘great potential’

 

Councillor Allan Macaskill also raised the need for adequate soundproofing between the main hall and small theatre. 

 

He added: ‘Oban has to demonstrate that there is a demand for the performing arts.’

Scott’s porridge crown

 

Islay’s Scott Chance has won the world porridge making championship for the second year running.

 

Scott, originally from Birmingham, has won the ‘golden spurtle’ award given by Grampian Oat products, who as proprietors of Hamlyns Oatmeal are keen to uphold the highest porridge making standards.

 

Scott, chef proprietor of The Harbour Inn, Bowmore, has also won the Scottish Tourist Board’s Natural Cooking of Scotland award.

 

‘My priority when cooking at the Harbour Inn is to use natural Scottish produce. Where possible this is from Islay, and I seek out products from around Scotland when Islay produce is not available,’ said Scott.

 

Since winning the award for the first time, Scott continues to receive dozens of requests for his recipe.

 

Here is Scott’s secret:

For two generous servings take 4oz medium oatmeal, 5fl oz milk, 1 pint boiling water and 1 level teaspoon salt.

Mix the oatmeal and milk together to form a paste, to which you add boiling water. Return to the heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in salt and serve, topped with your own favourite ingredient.

SEVENTY FIVE YEARS AGO

Saturday December 17, 1949

Well known Islay man

 

His many friends in Islay and Glasgow will be pleased to learn of the recent promotion of Mr George McEachern to the position of station master at Wick.

 

For a number of years Mr McEachern was a relieving station master in the Glasgow area before transferring to Inverness. 

 

He held agencies at Tain and Thurso before his present appointment.

 

He is a member of a well known piping family and has frequently broadcast from the Glasgow and Aberdeen studios.

 

Lord Lieutenant of Argyll

 

The king has appointed Brigadier Sir Bruce Atta Campbell, K.C.B., C.B.E., T.D., of Arduaine to be Lord Lieutenant of Argyll in succession to His Grace the late Duke of Argyll.

 

Sir Bruce, who was born in 1888, is the eldest son of the late Mr J. Arthur Campbell of Arduaine. He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of the County in 1932, a Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1938, a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1912 and created a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1948.

 

Sir Bruce joined the Scottish Horse in 1908 and served with the regiment for part of the First World War and was in command of the Scottish Horse from 1928 to 1933. 

 

For the next five years he was commanding officer of the 8th Bn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (T.A.) and was appointed honorary colonel in 1940. 

 

At the outbreak of the Second World War, he commanded an Infantry Brigade and in 1943 was at Scottish Command as GSO Army Cadet Force. From 1946 to 1948 he was Honorary Commandant of the A.C.F. in Scotland and is still chairman of the County Cadet Committee. 

 

From 1930 to 1948 Sir Bruce was chairman of the Argyll Territorial Army Association.

 

Shop hours

 

All shops, in Oban will close on Monday December 26, 1949, and on Monday, January 2, 1950. This was decided at a meeting of Oban Shopkeepers Association held in the Burgh Court Room on Monday evening. It was also decided that normal Thursday half-day closing will be observed during these weeks.

 

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO

Saturday December 20, 1924

Body washed ashore

 

On Saturday, 6th December; a body with a life belt on was found on Oronsay shore by Mr Malcolm MacNeill, tenant of the farm, who reported the matter. 

 

Dr. Macpherson and Mr Malcolm Macintyre, Sanitary Inspector, drove at once over to Oronsay. The remains were that of a man about five feet eight ins. in height, stoutly built, with full round face not disfigured in any way, and between thirty-five and forty years of age. 

 

When the body was found it was clothed in the following garments — blue jersey, blue trousers, heavy grey socks and tan boots.

 

Under the lifebelt was fastened a light rainproof coat, dark grey in colour. There was a tattoo mark on the left forearm.

 

The remains had been a considerable time in the water, and were confined with as little delay as possible, and in interred in Oronsay Cemetery. The funeral service was conducted by Mr Neil Macphee, J.P., elder of the Parish Church.

 

Successful show at Oban

 

The annual show of poultry, pigeons, cage birds, rabbits, etc., under the auspices of the Oban Poultry, Pigeon and Cage Bird Society was held in the Argyllshire Gathering Hall, Oban, last Thursday.

 

The show, which is open to a wide and scattered district, attracted many visitors from its opening at 11 a.m. to its close after 9 p.m., and much interest was taken in the various exhibits. 

 

These were of a high standard, and competition in the leading classes was keen. The show of pigeons brought to light some excellent birds, and this class shows a great improvement on previous years; while the cage birds presented an excellent and varied display, and attracted a great deal of attention.

 

The rabbit and cat sections afforded much interest to those present, and include included several fine exhibits.

 

Mr James Garrow judged the poultry, pigeons, rabbits and cats. The cage birds were judged by Mr T. Clark. 

 

The manner in which the arrangements for the show were carried out reflected the greatest credit on the members of the committee.