Issue 204 - September 2009 - e-mail edition

- NEW GOLF CLUBHOUSE DECLARED OPEN

- RUMOUR & SPECULATION - FISHING NEWS GOING AROUND
- KATE’S JOURNEY - SPONSORED 1000 MILE RIDE
- ARTMAP ARGYLL
- STUMPED & SNAPPED
- FLOWER FESTIVAL
- THE PARISH OF SADDELL
- ECO SCHOOL TRIUMPH
- MIDGE ‘CUTTING’
- LIFEBOAT LOTTERY
- LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
- THE CARRADALE QUIZ
- AN ALTERATIVE VIEW
- JULY RAINFALL
- DUNE TO ALLAN & PAUL
- SADDELL & CARRADALE CHURCH GUILD
- TWO NEW COMPILATIONS
- OPENING OF CARRADALE HARBOUR - 17TH SEPTEMBER 1959
- LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
- COMMUNITY COUNCIL REVIEW
- JOHN McKERRAL 1926-2009 - A RENAISSANCE MAN IN A PAROCHIAL ENVIRONMENT
- HOMECOMING FAMILY DANCE
- MYXOMATOSIS - A FEW THOUGHTS
- DOGS IN LOCHPARK

NEW GOLF CLUBHOUSE DECLARED OPEN

In true Carradale fashion the rain held off until the final moments of the opening ceremony on Sunday 9th August. Earlier in the day one
hundred and sixteen golfers took part in a ‘Texas Scramble’ with Andy Finlay, Alex Hanning, Karen Neilson and Jamie Robertson winning the
Trophy.

At 3pm Alan G. T. Walker gave a comprehensive history of the Club’s earlier buildings and thanked all those involved in raising money for the
new clubhouse. He reminded guests of help from Sport Scotland, the Inland Revenue Gift Aid Scheme and from East Kintyre Wind-farm
Trust for financial assistance with solar panels. We went on to give the Club’s appreciation for the granting of an extended lease by the owners
of the ground - the Paterson family, thanked the contractors McKinven & Colville and the architect. Finally he paid tribute to Marcus and Mo
Adams for allowing parts of Carradale Hotel to be used in the period between the demolition of the old building and the erection of the new.

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Alan McMillan spoke on behalf of Sport Scotland, renewed his family association with Greenhill at Torrisdale and praised the Club for its
initiative. The Gent’s Captain, Iain Neilson, introduced the principal guest Belle Robertson MBE, one-time Captain of The Curtis Cup Team,
and she in her turn declared the Clubhouse open, receiving a bouquet from Mary Paterson who has had a long association with the Club.
Bobby Neilson, a past president rounded of the ceremony with a few well-chosen and humorous anecdotes.

As participants in the Texas Scramble are aware group photos were taken on the 1st tee. Anybody who wishes a photo can email a request to
Stuart Irvine whose address is js-irvine @tiscali.co.uk Name plus starting time or group number will help Stuart to identify.

RUMOUR & SPECULATION - FISHING NEWS GOING AROUND

Reports have come in of a Carradale-based fishing boat performing pirouettes in the Sound early one August morning. If these
reports are true, the crew set off after somewhat of a celebration the night before. They moved off-shore and seemed to be doing
what you would expect, but sometime later the boat was spotted going round in circles. Another fishing boat attempted to contact
the crew by shouting and through hailers but without success. Boarding the first was impossible because of its violent turns so the
emergency services were contacted. It is not known whether the noise of their arrival woke the fishermen or whether they were
still asleep when the boat was boarded. The current speculation is if confusing the fish by hypnotic spirals is a more productive
way of fishing than any of the traditional methods, but perhaps the owner should dissuade his self-employed fishermen from
adding to the circle of inflationary movements in fuel prices.

KATE’S JOURNEY - SPONSORED 1000 MILE RIDE

Kate Godfrey, her horses ‘Yeoman’ and ‘Doogs’ visited Carradale on Saturday 15th August on one leg of her 1000 mile fund-
raising ride for what used to be called The International League for the protection of Horses but now called World Horse
Welfare. WHW encourages the use, not the abuse of the horse and is one of the world's leading international equine welfare
charities. World Horse Welfare campaigns for better legislation to protect horses runs four Recovery and Rehabilitation Centres,
with over two thousand horses on the World Horse Welfare loan scheme at any one time, employs sixteen World Horse Welfare
field officers to investigate welfare complaints in the UK and provides educational courses to combat the major causes of equine
suffering in the Developing World. The charity has a reputation for helping working horses in the poorer countries where
sometimes the horses are over-worked and under-fed. Kate started from her home in Blairgowrie and will range far over Scotland
and a little in to England. Her friend Bill helps her at crucial stages - crossing Kilbrannan Sound and sees her once in ten days to
ensure she is well, Kate set off for Knapdale on Sunday 16th August. Internet donations can be addressed to
www.afinehorse.co.uk.

ARTMAP ARGYLL
On of the unexpected pleasures of visiting local post offices is the abundance of information about local events. One of the latest
is issue of the Artmap Argyll’s Annual Directory and Artists Studios 2009 - a small publication with photos of Argyll artists and
their works. 24 Female and 9 males living predominately in the Tarbert to Lochgilphead area proudly demonstrate their artistic
capabilities, but seem incapable of allowing their works to speak for themselves. The older artists and craftspeople are content to
quote their training and their interests, but the younger are definitely destroying their artistic potency by explaining thoughts or
intentions which are often not evident in their work. Unfortunately current terminology takes draughtsman or draughts-woman
beyond to become ‘drawer’ - perhaps Lizzie Rose keeps her best work there. Clare Niven says she wants ‘ to present the viewer
the most fundamental life-masses of beauty and energy whether suspended in a material that is normally regarded as insignificant
or suspended in oil paints’. Fortunately Campbeltown local artists, George and Gill Stewart forgo the pleasure of confusing
rhetoric and express their capabilities and interests clearly, but what advice would the old masters give to Lizzie and Clare when
their own simple titling fails to match their extensive and confusing proclamations?

STUMPED & SNAPPED

Sorry The Antler is unable to bring you news of two important summer events, cricket and photography. Cricket events are only
reported in The Courier and Camera Club announcements are restricted to posters and Argyll FM.

FLOWER FESTIVAL
Once again residents and visitors to Saddell and Carradale Church between August 6th and 8th had the pleasure of seeing
magnificent flower arrangements in the Church by twelve talented arrangers. Always anxious to hide their abilities only now can
the names of the arrangers and their artistic helpers be revealed.

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‘Scotsport’ was kicked into touch by Elizabeth McMillan, and the ‘Saltire’ was waved enthusiastically by Eleanor Bennett. Mary
McMillan reminisced with ‘Orr Ain Folk’. while ‘Rabbie Burns’ was poetically displayed by Una Semple, with equine assistance by
Elizabeth Vischer. ‘Homecoming’ - this year’s theme - was bowled over by Mairi Jeffreys audacity at the altar, and ‘Scottish Fare’
provided Eleanor Bennett with a second opportunity to display her undoubted talents. Dorothy McCormick and Mary Page were
certainly ‘Hooked on Scotland’ and Gail McIntosh blossomed at the Ceilidh’. Sheena Ramsay floated everyone’s interest in ‘Sailing
Home’ while Mary Florence Crabbe walked daintily down the ‘Kintyre Way’ and Una Semple refreshed the watery mood with
‘Nessie’.
All in all a fascinating insight into local talent enhanced by enticing refreshments which produced a very worthwhile addition to
Church funds.

THE PARISH OF SADDELL

Unfortunately much of the history of the Parish seems to be lost in the mists of antiquity. Saddell Abbey was founded by
Somerled, first Lord of the Isles, in the mid 12th century. After the Reformation and the suppression of the monastic movement,
it would appear that church life in mid-Kintyre was centred on Killean on the west side of the peninsula.

In 1753, however, the Presbytery decided that Saddell should be a parish in its own right, and on 11th March of that year, the
Parish of Saddell came into being. Almost immediately the minister of Saddell became responsible for Skipness thus "The Parish
of Saddell and Skipness".

So far as can be deduced, the original church stood where the present building. opened in 1865, now stands. This is the church
you are presently in. It is 4 miles north of Saddell and about the same distance south of the Burial Ground at Brackley. It is,
however, in the centre of the Parish, and what is now Dippen Farmhouse, on the opposite side of the main road, was once an
important coaching inn. At that time the village of Carradale was simply another hamlet in the parish, not the centre of population
which it now is.

Following the Disruption of 1843, a congregation of the Free Church was established in Carradale and they erected their church
building in 1887. With the Union of the Churches in 1929 this congregation once again became part of the Church of Scotland.
The two congregations existed side by side until they were reunited, in 1952, to form the congregation of Saddell and Carradale.
For a time both churches were used for public worship. Eventually this building, Saddell Church, became the main place of
worship, and Carradale Church functions as the meeting place for church organisations. Carradale Church is half a mile away, on
the road to the harbour. The link with Skipness, severed many years ago was reestablished in 2004. Each Sunday worship is held
in both this church and at St. Brendan's in Skipness with services taken by our current minister, John Vischer who joined us from
Switzerland in 2005.

As you admire the floral displays, you will notice on the left- hand wall, an official War Memorial and other family memorials. On
the right hand wall are two memorials to former ministers, the Rev James Grant Levack and the Rev James A Argyll Baker, who
between them served the Parish for over 90 years. Rev Alistair Dun lop retired in 2004 after 25 years as minister.

ECO SCHOOL TRIUMPH

Keith Brown MSP
E: scottish.ministers@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
To Mrs Marion Morris,
Carradale Primary Carradale Argyll PA28 6SD.
14 July 2009.

Dear Mrs Morris,

As Minister for Schools and Skills, it was brought to my attention that your school recently achieved Green Flag status. I believe
that participating in the Eco Schools programme gives young people in Scotland a unique opportunity to learn about sustainable
development and to put it into practice in their local environment. I am delighted to see more Scottish schools taking part in this
scheme and achieving this internationally recognised award.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you, all your staff and pupils for this wonderful achievement and wish you all
the best in your well established path towards achieving the permanent Green Flag status for your school.
Yours sincerely,

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Keith Brown,
Minister for Schools and Skills.
Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ www.scotland.gov.uk.
In providing The Antler with a copy of Keith Brown’s letter Marion Morris pays tribute to the pupils, staff and local residents involved in the project -

“It is always gratifying to have work recognised. Achieving our first Green Flag, built on the Bronze and Silver Awards gained
previously, was fantastic. Miss Galbraith was the leader of the team and the community and the whole school participated and
contributed. Well done to all - now for our second Green Flag ! ”

MIDGE ‘CUTTING’ - A NEWS OF THE WORLD REPORT

by Mark Howarth

‘This will be the last Scottish summer ever to be ruined by midges, boffins claim. Revolutionary technology is set to hit the shelves
next summer - which could trigger a £300 million per year tourist gold-rush to Scotland. Researchers revealed this week that trials
of two naturally-occurring repellents have been a success’.

Now a spray which can cloak a room in an invisible anti-midge blanket is expected to be available to hard-bitten Highlanders from
2010, and a cream to slap on the bare flesh of hill-walkers, crofters & sightseers is planned for a year later’.

The work is a joint project between Aberdeen University and English institute, Rothamstead Research. Scots scientist Dr James
Logan is one of the four-strong team which has spent seven years cracking the conundrum. He said: "Some people are less likely
to be attacked by midges and we wanted to find out why. We discovered that, of the hundreds of human-derived chemicals, two
of them act together as a significant repellent," and added "the results have been very positive. We can definitely say the
technology works".’

English firm ‘Atrium Innovation’ is now working on getting the spray into the shops. It's estimated that the savagely biting bugs
cost £300 million every year in lost tourism revenue’.
Handed in by Keith Higgins.

LIFEBOAT LOTTERY - (BONUS BALL)

6th June Lorna Campbell
13th June Catherine McIlvride
20th June Viv Campbell
27th June No winner
4th July Susan Lunn
11th July Robert Abernethy
18th July Margaret Walsh
25th July No winner

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Given the present commercial climate it may not be the most appropriate time to consider what the future of Carradale Harbour
holds. However in 1959 it was time to celebrate an outstanding achievement. The move from Waterfoot to the new harbour was a
time to forget the long walk to and from Waterfoot via the Fishermens’ Gate, and the difficulties associated with the Carra River.
Others regretted the loss of a pleasure trip from Waterfoot to the harbour, often the highlight of the annual holiday. Times are
different again today.

The decline of the fishing fleet may be offset by new enterprises - fish farming supplanting for some fishermen the relentless toil
of finding shoals. Whatever happens the newly strengthened Network Community Business has it within its power to take
Carradale further into the twenty-first century and beyond. Fishing may well continue but it is necessary to look for additional
uses for this now much tidier and potentially attractive harbour.

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 THE CARRADALE QUIZ
This annual event was held on Saturday 25th July. The Village Hall was again beautifully decorated by Paula and Peter Davie - the
theme on this occasion being “Pirates”. Each table was provided with hats and a party bag containing sweets, balloons and
novelties to put people in jovial party mode.

We welcomed several quiz ‘faithfuls’ and a few visitors - some eleven teams in all. The Hall committee ran a bar, small savoury nibbles were
distributed at the interval, plus there was a really well stocked raffle providing all the ingredients of a great occasion.

As usual, there were ten rounds of 10 questions in each, with a joker being able to double the points on a pre selected category of the team’s
choice. The quiz was once again keenly contested, with teams gaining 17 perfect round scores. The teams’ best categories were Who, Sport and
the unlikely unusual categories of Hair and Dance. However the categories of General Knowledge/ Current Events, Kintyre, Princes and a
Music section requiring the identifying of musical instruments all proved a bit more challenging.

Congratulations go to overall winners team – ‘Pugwash’ (Janette Ramsay, Mairi MacDougall, David Currie and Neil Thomson)
who with 93 points scooped first place and the prestigious Carradale Quiz Cup. In second place two points behind were the
GrogTor Smugglers (Robert and Carol Abernethy, Mary Macalister Hall and Cameron McNair). In third place with 88 points were
4 plus 1(Jim & Isobel Williamson, Ruth McGhie and Bob & Margaret Walsh.) and team Peninver Pirates scored 86 points.

All team members in the first three teams were, for posterity, awarded certificates to record their quizzing prowess, and the
visiting Dodds family were awarded a box of chocolates for achieving a very commendable score as well as being the only
competing team that included children. Thanks go to the Hall Committee (and their spouses) for providing such an enjoyable
social evening.

Coming soon - the winter Quizzle (Nov/Jan) and the Christmas Quiz (Dec) are already under construction and should provide
hours of winter evening entertainment and all for a good cause - Village hall funds! M.L.

AN ALTERATIVE VIEW
The programme of events in the Carradale Village Hall continued on Saturday, 25th July, with the July quiz. Twice in each
Calendar year, once in July and again in December, a quiz is held in the Hall. The Quizmaster on these occasions is Tony
Leighton, whose wife, Margaret, takes over the Administration, maintaining the board with the running scores and performing the
myriad incidental duties without which the evening would not be a success. No sooner has one quiz been completed than Tony
and Margaret begin their preparations for the next. In addition, they are preparing another 12 monthly exercise in the form of the
‘Quizzle’, a set of complicated questions which invariably keeps a high proportion of villagers occupied for four or five weeks
each year. Through these activities they make an invaluable and appreciated contribution to life in Carradale, uniting the efforts of
those whose family roots are in this area and those who have been attracted here later in life.

Preparations for Saturday's quiz were made more difficult by Tony's absence on the Atlantic and in the Caribbean, but modern
technology, aided by an unfettered imagination, enables this report to be supported by a radio conversation which might have
taken place:-

Tony: "We are now in the lee of St Lucia experiencing a full blown blizzard and we had a near miss with an iceberg.. What is the
weather expected to be next week in Carradale ?"

Margaret: "Oh, the usual winter gales interspersed with Mediterranean sunshine and snow."

Tony: "Excellent. Make that question No.3 in Round 4".

The quiz consists often rounds, each often questions and entrants form their own teams of four members in each team. Each
individual pays an entry fee of three pounds from which the expenses of the evening are paid, any surplus cash going to the
Village Hall Fund. Decoration of the Hall is in the hands of the Hall Committee, (Chair-person Mrs Elizabeth McMillan and
Secretary Mrs Paula Davie) and on this occasion the theme of the decor was Pirates. Presumably this was to make Tony feel at
home in familiar surroundings after his trip to the Spanish Main. It is quite a relief to be able to report that he was successful in
suppressing the urge to hang various competitors from the yard-arm ~ not even N***l T*****n with his resounding battle cry of
"Michael Flatley".

Lines of battle having been drawn up, opening shots were fired promptly at 7.30 pm and by the end of the third round, all teams
had been able to sum up the opposition, a task which was made more difficult by the fact that the scores did not cover a great

5
range of figures. An interval allowed the Committee ladies and others to serve refreshments, while the male volunteers and at least
one lady ensured that the bar service was up to speed.

A fairly close finish at the end of the ten rounds saw the winning team of Jeannette Ramsay, Marie McDougall, Neill Thomson
and David Currie receive the Carradale Cup for their efforts. Each member of that team, and of the teams coming second and
third, received a certificate testifying the team position. In addition there was a prize for the team which came first from those
having child members. At the close of the evening a raffle was drawn, and the occasion Was concluded by a few words from Mrs
McMillan, who expressed the thanks of the Committee to the many people whose contributions had given us such a pleasant
evening. D.C.

P.S. Scrutinise The Antler for news of forthcoming events, such as Duck Race, Quizzle, etc.

JULY RAINFALL
The monthly rainfall total was 119mm. Since record keeping only one year (2002) recorded more (139mm) but despite this
month’s boost the annual total to date for the first seven months of the year is still below average. Despite it often seemingly
showery there were in fact 11 completely dry days in July and a further 4 days had just a trace with a light shower of 1mm or less.
Heavy rainfall of over half an inch (12mm) was recorded on just four occasions – the 3rd,12th, 15th and 26th with readings of
23mm,16mm 14mm and 15mm. July was quite windy and although it was a warmer month... the hot dry summer forecasted by
the Met Office did not materialise. Perhaps this is still to come?

DUNE TO ALLAN & PAUL

The introduction of Sunday ferry services to Lewis has exposed the continuing lack of geographical knowledge among the Sunday
Times writers and reporters. Allan Brown, in commenting on the first ‘civil partnership’ on Lewis since legitimisation in 2003
referred to the equally important news that Sunday ferry services have begun. Unfortunately he states that the first sailing took
place between Stornaway and Lewis; I wonder how many more of these circular tours Caledonian McBrayne will introduce to save
diesel costs.

Paul Kebie also waxes lyrically about the new Machrihanish Dunes Links Course, but fails to ensure that 'The Times' Graphics
Dept mapping expert didn’t place the new links right on top of the existing international known course - three dimensional drafts
and chess are difficult enough, but fully three-dimensional golf must be the world’s first. G.P.

SADDELL & CARRADALE CHURCH GUILD

The Guild are delighted to announce a total of £1,084 was raised at the Summer Fayre. Many thanks to all who helped and
supported us in any way. We are most grateful.

TWO NEW COMPILATIONS

‘This compilation on the place-names of Campbeltown Parish was first published by The Kintyre Antiquarian Society in 1943,
under the direction of the late Duncan Colville, but has been revised and updated by Campbeltown author and historian, Angus
Martin, using the same mix of sources: maps, publications, documents and oral tradition’.

Its appeal will not be confined to those with an interest in place-names, since it also contains a wealth of information on local
history. It should also be a useful resource for genealogical researchers, since every effort has been made to locate abandoned
settlements’.

The Kintyre Antiquarian & Natural History Society exists to promote the history, archaeology and natural history of the
peninsula. It organises monthly lectures in Campbeltown from October until April, annually - and has published a bi-annual
journal, The Kintyre Magazine, since 1977, in addition to a range of books on diverse subjects relating to Kintyre’.

Angus Martin is presently offering a similar compilation entitled The Place-names of the Parish of Southend. Both are a unique
opportunity to research the topicality of local place names and enjoy a greater understanding of the environment.

For further information contact: Angus Martin, 13 Saddell St., Campbeltown, Argyll PA28 6DN.

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 ARGYLL COUNTY COUNCIL
OPENING OF CARRADALE HARBOUR - 17TH SEPTEMBER 1959
Programme

The Carradale children will lead the singing of Hymn 626 (Eternal Father Strong to Save), Verses 1 and 4

Introductory remarks by Mr. J. G. Mathieson, M.C., J.P., Convener of the County of Argyll,

The Rt. Hon. Thomas Johnston P.C., C.H., will declare the Harbour open.

Dedicatory Prayer by Rev A. Murdoch Bennett, Carradale.

The following will be called on to speak -

Mr. Charles Sim, Chief Inspector of Sea Fisheries, Scottish Home Department.

Mr. John A. G. MacMillan on behalf of the Carradale fishermen.

Presentations -

Memento to Mr, Johnston by Mr. A. P. Keary, (Messrs. Holland & Hannen and Cubitts (Scotland) Ltd.)

Bouquet to Mrs. Johnston by June MacMillan.

Mrs. Naomi Mitchison will propose votes of thanks.

The fishing fleet will sail into the Harbour.

Campbeltown Pipe Band will be in attendance.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Given the present commercial climate it may not be the most appropriate time to consider what the future holds for Carradale
Harbour. However in 1959 it was time to celebrate an outstanding achievement. The move from Waterfoot to the new harbour
was a time to forget the long walk to and from Waterfoot via the Fishermen's Gate, and the difficulties associated with the Carra
River. Others regretted the loss of a pleasure trip from Waterfoot to the harbour, often the highlight of the annual holiday.

Times are different again today. The decline of the fishing fleet may be offset by new enterprises - fish farming supplanting for
some fishermen the relentless toil of finding shoals. Whatever happens the newly strengthened Network Community Business has
it within its power to take Carradale further into the twenty-first century and beyond. Fishing may well continue but it is necessary
to look for additional uses for this now much tidier and potentially attractive harbour.
Photos & programme kindly supplied by Mary Paterson

THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL REVIEW

A week before the Antler went to print, news came through that Argyll & Bute Council’s ‘short-life’ group considering the
comments made by individual community councils and by The Association of Argyll & Bute Community Council’s Executive
deputation, had decided to propose changes to the proposal document and intended to present them at a meeting of the Council
on Thursday 20th August.

The main differences are that there will be no boundary changes, community councils will not be able to appoint co-opted or
nominated members, and the requirement to have at least one more elected member than 50% of the designated complement of
councillors, has been dropped.

Information on the abandonment of sub-ward areas and the need for two competent auditors has still to be verified.

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The Council’s present intention is to have elections on Thursday 29th of October and in consequence The Antler hopes to
include nomination addresses in the October edition from those intending to compete for one of the ten seats in the East Kintyre
Community Council area.

JOHN McKERRAL 1926 - 2009

A RENAISSANCE MAN IN A PAROCHIAL ENVIRONMENT
Past students of Campbeltown Grammar School, and members of a wide variety of Kintyre clubs, organisations and community
service groups will be sorry to hear of the death of John McKerral.

A very respected and popular teacher who took his charges through the complexities of modern life – governmental processes,
quangos, political action and a range of other issues affecting the lives of maturing students and their families, his approach was
always down-to-earth and, enhanced by an intrinsic understanding of local traditional values and belief, overcame traditional
prejudices and presented a unique educational package

Of Southend farming stock, he was no stranger to the vaguries of circumstance. His father died before he was born, he tragically
lost his first wife soon after they married and had a lifelong disability which did not escape the notice of observant or recalcitrant
school boys who nicknamed him ‘the boot’, a name which gave him a degree of respect.

He studied at George Watson’s College, Edinburgh and gained a Master Degree degree in Geography and English at Edinburgh
University, before entering the teaching profession. Later his natural interest in current affairs led him to specialise in Modern
Studies and this is where his interest and expertise provided his students with a sound introduction to the developing world.

His presence in the general staff room was distinguished, if somewhat obscured by a cloud of smoke; elsewhere in the soon to be
closed upstairs headquarters of the revolutionary teachers cell, he created an equally pungent smell with his cup-o-soup, a power
which covered even the most oily smell coming from a partly built car engines on the staff room table. Even when he attended
numerous funerals in school hours his presence was not forgotten as a full-size model hard-board mounted photograph was
brought out of hiding. Equally unfazed by staff comment he would reach a point where direct action displaced democracy and the
commentator was unceremoniously ejected from the room.

John enjoyed a number of pleasures – a distinguished member of the Dunaverty Players, the Gaelic Choir, the Kintyre Music
Club, the Gentlemens’ Club and a Trustee of the Campbeltown Heritage Centre. Cinema was another passion.

In his younger days he acted as a second projectionist at The Rex and in recent years played a similar role at The Picture House,
eventually becoming a Director of its parent company - Campbeltown Community Business.

He was a District Councillor for two terms and particularly enjoyed being Chairman of the Licensing Board.

Those without the privilege of being on the receiving end of rare but occasional rasping comment will be aware of his dulcet alto-
ego at the Campbeltown Agricultural Show and at any number of social gatherings where his stories and warm rendering of the
popular classics met with unchallenged approval.

An Elder of Lorne & Lowland Church, he served as Session Clerk for 23 years – following in the footsteps of his grand-father
who was the Minister of Castlehill Church for an equally impressive period. In his later years he continued to play an active part in
Campbeltown Community Council.

Despite his physical handicap he maintained a healthy lifestyle – moderate in all things, but enjoying his fair share of life’s
pleasures. His deterioration in recent months was swift, and sad to see, but he retained a twinkle in his eyes to the very last. We
send condolences to his wife Jennifer who bore an ever-increasing burden, and to his relatives. All who knew him will long
remember him as a friend and as someone interested in helping others to develop their potential. G. P.

THE HOMECOMING FAMILY DANCE

The evening of Saturday, 18th July, saw the occasion of Carradale's Homecoming Family Dance in the Village Hall. Music for the
occasion came from Fraser McGlynn's Scottish Country Dance Band, whose members gave us a succession of lively airs which
entertained dancers and non-dancers alike. There was very good representation from visitors to the village as well as from local
families, the whole affair having been carefully organised by the Hall Committee, whose members must have been very pleased to
see their efforts received with such success.

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The hall had been decorated by the Committee, aided by additional voluntary assistants, and the decorations added to the spirit of
the occasion. As the hall began to fill, it was noticeable that several families had brought their younger children, who took a
vigorous and active part in the proceedings, giving a lot of pleasure to those of us who, for various reasons, can only be spectators
on such occasions.

Naturally, the theme of the evening was its Scottish nature, and one aspect of this was in the provision of refreshments. The ladies
had surpassed themselves with an array of sandwiches and cakes which were in abundance, and were consumed while the answers
to a Scottish quiz were considered, the result being a tie between two families. A tie break question was posed and the Macalister
Halls took the first prize, the Curries being runners up.

A raffle saw the distribution of many prizes, all of which had been donated for the occasion. The Hall Committee ensured that
their thanks were conveyed to everyone who had assisted in any way towards the success of the evening, and this is a suitable time
to express our own appreciation of the work done by the committee. Every function that is held in the hall involves the
committee members in its administration, and their time and efforts are always given without reservation. As a comparative
newcomer to the Carradale community I feel we are all indebted to those who, in so many different ways, expend their energies
on our behalf. Throughout the evening it was noticeable that there was an unending stream of helpers, not necessarily Committee
members, who added to the spirit and success of the occasion. D.C.

MYXOMATOSIS - A FEW THOUGHTS

This illness, which can be described only as a foul viral disease, is known to affect various forms of wild life, but in particular ,its
effects on the rabbit population of an area ensure that each of the victims dies a horrific, painful death.. It is spread by the bites of
various fleas and mosquitoes which, having bitten an infected animal, carry the plague to all those they bite subsequently. The
illness affects several of our wild animals ,as well as domesticated examples, but nowhere does it produce the damnable effects
that it leaves with the rabbit population.

With the rabbit, the first signs of infection are a runny nose and eyes, and within a very short time the eyes begin to bulge from
the head, at the same time suppurating and destroying the animal's ocular system. Within a few short days the animal is blind and
its body flesh begins to wither away. The head becomes covered by nodular lumps and unsightly swellings appear on the body, the
animal's movements requiring great effort as it bumps into the various objects lying in its path.

Meanwhile vast quantities of thick pus are discharged from the rabbit's eyes and nose, and as death approaches its reproductive
organs begin to swell until movement is barely possible. The whole sordid process, from first infection to a very painful, stinking
death, normally lasts for a fortnight.

It is generally accepted that the Australians introduced the use of myxomatosis as a means of controlling the excessive rabbit
population on that continent, and it was first noted on a large scale in Britain after the last war. It was reputed to have reached
here from Europe, and to have entered the country by natural process or by the deliberate introduction of infected corpses.

Following that first large outbreak there have been sporadic attacks in various areas at intervals of a few years. This has been
ascribed to the development by nature of rabbits with varying degrees of immunity. Stronger strains of the illness thereby develop
and the whole circle continues at a slower rate. The scientists tell us that areas of the country are greatly at risk after long periods
of wet, inclement weather, and it may be that the Carradale area's present infestation has been caused by the unsettled weather
patterns of the past year. There are, however, signs in Carradale and its environs, that there is some degree of immunity in the
rabbit population, and perhaps in a comparatively short time visitors will see both rabbits and goats adding to the delight of young
family members D.C.

DOGS IN LOCHPARK

There are reports of a continuing problem with dog fouling in the Loch Park area. Owners are reminded that they could be
reported and may well receive a fine for not disposing of their pet’s excreta appropriately.