Campbeltown Courier From Our Files 12.12.25

TWENTY YEARS AGO
Friday, December 15, 2000

 

Renewable pledge should be great for Kintyre

 

Kintyre could be one of the main areas to benefit from government plans to boost the amount of electricity generated by renewable sources by 2010.

 

The announcement by Environment Minister Sam Galbraith to promote renewable technologies has been welcomed in most quarters.

 

Argyll and Bute MSP George Lyon said the news was excellent for Argyll as the expansion of wind farm sites is likely to take place here.

 

“With the installations of a new wave power machine on Islay, Argyll stands to reap the economic benefits of an expansion of renewable energy sources,” said Mr Lyon.

 

“I also welcome the review of the electricity connectors which carry electric power in and out of Argyll as they will need to be upgraded to carry the expected growth in the electricity generation over the next few years.”

 

Mr Lyon went on to stress the importance of the announcement to jobs hopes in Campbeltown.

 

He said: “This announcement should also strengthen the campaign to secure the Vestas project for Campbeltown as the Scottish Executive has clearly demonstrated its commitment to renewable energy sources.”

HMS Campbeltown visits affiliated town

HMS Campbeltown sailed back into the Wee Toon on Friday for a three-day visit. 

 

As usual during visits to the ship’s affiliated town, the sailors put on their work clothes and got their hands dirty helping local groups.

 

There was plenty of time for leisure, however, and as well as taking on the locals at football, they competed against a Kintyre/Mid Argyll team in rugby. 

 

The Type-22 Frigate was open to the public on Saturday, when loads of families braved the weather to get a good look around the vessel. 

 

FIFTY YEARS AGO
Thursday, December 11, 1975

 

Long winners at Taekwon-Do Scottish Championships

 

Campbeltown Taekwon-Do Club was well represented at the Scottish Championships on 30th November, when 16 members travelled to Edinburgh to compete in the various aspects of Taekwon-Do. 

 

The championships were held in the Meadowbank Sports Centre, and were divided into three main sections: 1, Junior 12 years and under (Sparring); 2, Ladies (Sparring) and 3, Seniors (Green Belt upwards Sparring, Patterns and Power Tests).

 

Competition for the top awards was fierce, but, despite this, two local members did exceptionally well. 

 

Fraser Shaw won the Bronze Medal in the Junior Sparring and in the Ladies’ Sparring Mary Borthwick also won a Bronze Medal.

 

After the finals of the competition, in the afternoon, the Black Belt members present gave a remarkable display of their many skills. 

 

As far as local members were concerned, the demonstrations by Mr K H Rhee and club instructor Mr H A Teh, 3rd Dan, were the highlights of the display.

 

Mr H A Teh is a regular visitor to Campbeltown. He comes to the club once a month to train the members.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO
Saturday, December 12, 1925

 

Sparks and flashes

 

Burglars have begun business in town again and shopkeepers should be wary.

 

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Poultry, cagebird and doo men should note that entries for the New Year show in Campbeltown close on Saturday first.

 

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That hoary but lively institution, the Temperance Festival, is to be held at the Templar Hall as usual on New Year’s night.

 

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The Campbeltown Harbour and Gas Order Confirmation Bill was before Parliament this week, and the Council will have the power to put up barricades on the quay any time now.

 

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The fishery cruiser Vigilant is in the Kyles of Bute this week, and on Monday a Ballantrae boat was arrested for breaking the Sunday close time by-law, which extends to sundown on Monday.

 

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A £50 reward is being offered for information that may lead to the conviction of the persons who broke into a bonded warehouse at Glenside Distillery and stole a considerable quantity of whisky. 

 

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The fall of the year 1925 will be memorable for the long spell of frost which characterised the month of November and gave people on the Scottish mainland a chance of holding uncommonly fine revels on the ice. 

 

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A curling bonspiel in Perthshire attended by thousands was a rare event which will be recalled by curlers for many a year. 

 

In this district, skaters had hopes last weekend, but the thaw came without the promise of ice on the lochs developing far. 

 

This week, we are back to the common winter experience of abundance of wind and rain.