The Arran Banner

Arran’s Hoofed Lady Festival

ab — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:27:11 +0000

An unusual new event is being planned for Arran this spring.

Called The Hoofed Lady Festival, it promises to be something a little out of the ordinary.

It is festival is scheduled to take place in Corrie and Sannox, and it takes its name from the legend of The Hoofed Woman as originally published on page 281 of The Book of Arran and more recently on page 10 of the Banner 29 October 2011 as part of a feature on Arran’s ghostly past.

This event is to be ‘a weekend-long celebration of Arran’s history, culture and outstanding natural beauty, fused with contemporary Scotland-wide music and arts’. Attractions planned are a main stage with an array of performers, village pub hosting ceilidhs, quizzes and traditional music, a tea tent and various local food and craft stalls as well as a campsite.

See the Arran Banner of February 11 2012 for the full story or online at www.arranbanner.co.uk/digital

Farming down the years with Arran NFU

ab — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:22:35 +0000

When the Arran branch of the National Farmers Union of Scotland celebrated its 75^th anniversary in 1995, the group compiled a small booklet detailing the history of the organisation.

A copy has just come into the Banner’s hands and it gives a fascinating insight into the changes in the rural landscape and communities on Arran.

The retail price for milk in 1920 is quoted as being eight old pence for a quart. A resolution was passed by the Union in 1922 asking Bute County Council to prohibit the use of Arran roads as a motorcycle track. In the same year, the Shiskine branch of the Union approached Bute Council about ‘the deplorable state of the Shiskine roads’.

In 1926, freight and farriers’ charges and pier dues were of concern to the Branch as freight from Glasgow via Brodick cost two shillings and sixpence a ton more than freight from Glasgow via Pirnmill.

For more interesting stories from this fascinating booklet, see the Arran Banner edition February 11 2012 or see the online edition at www.arranbannerco.uk/digital.

Where is the pothole – and Archie

ab — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:00:02 +0000

Last week Archie was sitting on the pavement outside the Ormidale Pavilion. First correct answers came from Grant in Edinburgh, Colin in Wetherby, Cara in Shiskine and Kirsten in Bathgate. This week he is sitting on a path with a warning sign behind him, but where does that path lead?

. . . → Read More: Where is the pothole – and Archie

Marine House Hotel demolished

ab — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:10:58 +0000

The Marine House Hotel in Lamlash has gone.

Most of the building has been demolished by local contractor Armitage Groundworks and now just a pile of rubble remains.

Plans have been approved by North Ayrshire Council for the partial demolition of the hotel and erection of eight new apartments with associated parking and landscaping.

The . . . → Read More: Marine House Hotel demolished

Drift Inn dominate pool league

ab — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:00:34 +0000

The Drift Inn have yet to lose a game this season as they continue to dominate the Arran Pool League.

The Lamlash team beat Whiting Bay Golf Club 6-4 last Thursday night to remain top of the table with 14 points.

PT1934 beat Kildonan 6-4 and took another gallon of beer to keep them in second place.

Catacol had been languishing near the bottom of the table after a 6-4 defeat at the hands of the PHT.

However a delayed win over Kildonan on Monday night had allowed them to edge back to the middle of the rankings.

Mac’s Bar beat the Bar Eden 7-3 but it wasn’t enough to move them from the second last spot.

This week (Thursday 9 February) Catacol play Bar Eden, Whiting Bay GC take on the PHT, Kildonan are at home against the Drift Inn and Mac’s Bar play PT1934

For the full league table placings, see the Arran Banner edition February 4 2012 or on line at www.arranbannner.co.uk/digital