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The new Lochranza pontoon was officially opened last Saturday.
In a speech laced with wit and aplomb the Lady Jean Fforde declared this new landing stage open.
The siting of the pontoon has been successfully achieved thanks to the efforts of the Lochranza and Catacol Sea Society and the dedication of chairman Norman Swain. Vic Pierce and the committee assisted by Kathleen Don of North Ayrshire’s Economic Development Department and the contractors under the guidance of Ed Carrick as agent and advisor were praised by Lady Jean.
Reverend Jean Hunter said a few well chosen words of prayer in true seafaring tradition.
The project was financed in part by public subscription but mainly by grant funding from Argyll and the Islands Enterprise and North Ayrshire Council who jointly contributed £130,000. Unfortunately the major public subscribers were unable to attend on Saturday.
In his address to the invited guests at a reception in Lochranza Hall Norman Swain spoke of his 16-year wish as a sailor himself to see a safe landing in Lochranza for local boat owners and visiting yachts. He said: ‘This is likely to bring economic benefit ultimately to the village and hopefully will encourage others to provide the needed shore facilities.’
Councillor Margie Currie referred to the days when Clyde shipbuilders built their second homes in Lochranza. She said: ‘Lochranza has a long tradition with the sea. A connection with the upper Clyde is still held to this day.’
A late recent objection by a minority of local residents who were not present on the day failed to dampen the enthusiasm for the pontoon and for the future prospects for Lochranza.
Cllr Currie said: ‘The village has lately benefited from a distillery, a new public hall, a new pier and now a pontoon to offer welcome to the growing number of tourists who enjoy sailing in one form or another and who help to enhance the Arran economy.
‘The vision and tenacity of those individuals who recognised the need and set about this provision is acclaimed by the considerable number of the local community who have attended today.’
Lady Jean was presented with a bouquet by nine-year-old Anna O’Donnelly, a local child who enjoys sailing with her family.
