Oban Times: From our files March 12

TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO

Back on March 23, five closure-threatened Argyll schools were fighting to avoid the axe.

Councillors voted to start formal consultation procedures with a view to closing Islay’s Newton Primary, Ulva School on Mull, Drumlemble near Campbeltown, Glassary Primary near Lochgilphead and Cowal’s Toward School.

Argyll and Bute’s education director Archie Morton said the schools were the ones which most closely met the council’s criteria for closure. The cash-strapped council was looking to close the five and save £175,000.

But Councillor Dick Walsh - whose ward included Toward School - called for all the schools to be spared, arguing that savings could be found in the council’s budget as the year progressed.

Mull councillor Alistair MacDougall suggested that the £900,000 interim SINA payment could be used to stave off the closures. Both suggestions were rejected.

Islay councillor Robin Currie said his heart went out to pupils, staff and parents at Newton as it was the third time the school had been threatened with closure in recent years. Drumlemble had previously faced closure.

FIFTY YEARS AGO
Thursday March 20 1975

An incredible 50 per cent increase in the population of Mull had left the island facing a serious housing shortage.

A meeting heard that the problem was coming to a head in Tobermory ‘which, contrary to local government requirements covering an urban area, had a major crisis looming.

A door-to-door survey which he had undertaken by two fellow-ministers, Rev. George Bain, and Rev. Moses Donaldson found that, excluding the Ross of Mull and Iona, the island had a population of around 1,700, but fewer homes.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO
Saturday March 21 1925

A children’s fancy dress party arranged by members of the refreshment stand in connection with the Saint Columba Parish Church Jubilee Fair was held in the Corran Rest in Oban.

Some beautiful costumes were shown and much interest was taken in the display by parents and friends of the children.

The competitions was divided into three sections. Major John Sutherland kindly acted as judge and he announced the prize winners in the following order. Boys: Duncan Martin, Peter Stewart, and A. Lindsay. Girls: May Menzies, May McLaine and Greta Scott. Little girls: Mary Saddell, Claris McLachlan and May Robertson.
The prizes were gracefully distributed by Mrs MacKeracher.