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This week’s Oban Times introduces Storm Stewart, Oban’s first baby of 2022. CalMac rejects warnings of a summer squeeze on Islay ferries, Dunollie Castle, Museum and Grounds is celebrating a Heritage lottery grant and health bosses have been on a fact finding mission to Coll to give the island a health check and Scottish Government plans to build tunnels or bridges from Oban to Craignure and across the Sounds of Harris and Barra are slammed.
Partygate: What do your local Tory politicians say, and not say? The SNP praises its new U22 bus pass – but angry Argyll mums are tearing their hair out. A windfarm off Islay’s shores could power every Scottish home.
News in this week’s Oban Times brings you details of a new woodland about to be created in Dunbeg, the return of BBC2’s popular Winterwatch series next week with presenter Iolo Williams on Mull and a mention of Lismore teenager Fionn Cook who has kicked off a new tradition on his island raising funds for the Scottish Air Ambulance.
The first Oban Times of 2022 is packed with pages of stories and photos as the New Year kicks in.
Fingers and toes crossed that Oban’s Hogmanay fireworks display will still be going ahead to ring in the New Year with the bells. The event is allowed under Government guidelines so far. This week’s Oban Times has also been chatting to grand-dad of four Donald MacFarlane who at the age of 56 is off to work on the Sir David Attenborough scientific research ship, helping look after Boaty McBoatface.
Ho! Ho! Ho! This week’s Oban Times has a fine festive sack full of news and pictures for you.
Christmas is coming and this week’s packed Oban Times has photos of festive fun on Seil where the community lit up An Cala gardens to put on their own version of Alice In Wonderland. National treasure Dame Judi Dench has made a home video to support Oban Hospice’s 2022 calendar and Lismore is waiting with much anticipation for the arrival of its new ferry.
Gallanach Road is back open – hoorah! Also we deliver you news of another apparent failure by Royal Mail – this time involving make-a-dedication fliers for Oban Hospice’s Light Up A Life event.Who will control Oban Bay? CalMac’s keen national owner CMAL? The previously reluctant council? Or a popular trust port? We report a dramatic turn – or u-turn – of events at the Harbour Board’s crunch meeting. The stooshie continues…
And islanders in Tiree have launched a ‘community-first’ alternative to AirBnB. We also have a sports-round up for you.
Fiona, Kathie and Sandy take a look at the stories behind this week’s headlines. There’s news of a new partnership between Wild About Argyll and BID4Oban, a film crew at Ganavan, a controversial bid by CalMac’s nationalised owner to control Oban Bay and a chance to name Mull’s newish, second hand ferry. Ferry McFerryface?
Oban Times investigation finds Taynuilt villagers missed lifesaving covid booster jabs due to late mail. We also have the latest on probes into two Argyll councillors, and into the latest council depot fire in Oban. School nativities have been cancelled again this year due to the pandemic – but Fiona is looking for some seasonal sparkle
Fiona, Kathie and Sandy gather to give a wee sneak peek into what’s in This Week’s Oban Times
We have more on the day Amazonian tribes came to help protect Argyll’s rainforests, and news that the Scottish Government is helping six islands to become carbon neutral by 2040 – 5 years before the rest of Scotland.
In this week’s Oban Times Kathie brings news of more confusion and missed vaccination appointments after more data processing errors. Along with a latest apology from Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership we have a pledge from the health board that those problems are now resolved. Great news is that the Ganavan toilets will be staying open over winter thanks to people power and persuasive efforts of Oban councillors
Climb onboard as Kathie Griffiths chats with train driver Ian Campbell who retired after almost 45 years service. It’s been a long and memorable journey for Ian from Dalmally, nicknamed Ivor. In this podcast he shares his time on the tracks with us.
Oban had a blast when Storm, a ten metre high puppet marched her way through the streets attracting giant crowds, find out more about her visit and see the pictures in this week’s Oban Times plus lots more in this week’s podcast.
Fingers…and legs crossed there will be good news for campaigners desperate to keep Ganavan Sands toilets open. The loos are due to shut at the end of this month and it would be April before the council re-opens them, unless excess Covid funding is put to use to pay for their winter upkeep. Oban’s Winter Festival will be back from November 19 to 28 and Autumnwatch presenter Meg McCubbin will be on Mull for this season’s BBC 2 series starting on Tuesday.
Join Steevie, Keith and Fiona on a final golfing voyage with the Oban Time’s BOBcast.
Join Keith, Fiona and Steevie as they discuss BOB’s final fling of the golfing year and track his ups and downs (and win!) of 2020. Predictions were made by the team back in March as to his golf ranking – how accurate we they? We find out. Fiona is back with her BOBcast challenge on the Isle of Seil under the watchful eye of Pat Mill (coach and secretary) – Find out how Fiona takes to “Winter Mats”
Keith, Fiona and Steevie are back with more golf banter and fun – Find out what is happening to BOB in the golfing world as he plays live in Dubai as they record (and Keith gets distracted watching on TV) this week with with Carol MacLarty and Moira MacVicar chatting to Fiona at Taynuilt Golf Club
Join Fiona, Keith and Steevie has they celebrate Bob’s amazing achievement in Cyprus and look forward to his upcoming events
Fiona also talks to Graeme Mackechnie from Dalmaly Golf Club after her “interesting” latest round of golf.
Oban Times journalist, and golf beginner, Fiona Scott attempts to unravel the mysteries of the local fairways and gain a handicap of 53 by the time she is 53 at the end of June next year.
The team are back discussing all things Bob MacIntyre – plus Fiona’s BOBcast golf challenge with contributions from Steven Wilson and Barry Whenman from Craignure Golf Club
This time we chart Oban golfer Bob MacIntyre’s fantastic progress through his debut at the US Open and leading onto the Scottish Open in a few weeks time.
As Oban’s Bob MacIntyre pulls out all the stops for a fantastic recovery in Spain – the team talk about his progress in the Andalucía Masters and the upcoming US Masters at Winged Foot.
Fiona, George, Keith and Steevie discuss all things Bob MacIntyre and his performance in the Welsh Open, the lovely weather, slow play and prize money among other things chatted about as well has his forthcoming debut at the US Open.
Fiona, George, Keith and Steevie discuss all things Bob MacIntyre and his performance in the Welsh Open, the lovely weather, slow play and prize money among other things chatted about as well has his forthcoming debut at the US Open.
