DUNOON VOTED TOP RESORT IN SCOTLAND
Dunoon has been voted in the top ten British holiday resorts a recent survey carried out by Teletext Holidays.
Not only was the town voted number ten in Britain, it was the top destination in Scotland.
The survey of 3000 holidaymakers found that availability of good fish and chip shops was among the top priorities for people looking for a good time in the classic British seaside resort. Other items listed included scenery, piers and even deckchairs.
Local councillor Ron Simon welcomed the news, commenting: “I am delighted that Dunoon has received recognition in this survey, and what is important here is that it is the visitor’s comments which count.
“There are many factors that make an enjoyable experience for visitors and sometimes we sell ourselves a bit short, we have many fantastic independent shops in the town, and some of the best environmental assets to be found anywhere, a thriving arts and cultural scene and a reputation for giving a warm welcome.
“I am pleased that the town has been so positively recognised and I am sure that others who visit in the future will also enjoy the Cowal experience.”
The survey was com-missioned by Teletext Holidays to celebrate a recent rise in bookings for British holidays following a slow start to the season thanks to torrential rain across Britain. Participants in the study were asked a series of questions about what they consider to be the key components of a quintessentially British holiday, as well as to vote on their top seaside resorts.
The Top Ten Most Quintessentially British Seaside Reports are:
1. Southwold, Suffolk
2. Newquay, Cornwall
3. Scarborough, Yorkshire
4. Bournemouth, Dorset
5. Brighton, Sussex
6. Blackpool, Lancashire
7. Skegness, Lincolnshire
8. Torquay, Devon
9. Rhyl, Denbighshire
10. Dunoon, Argyll
The research reveals some interesting differences between the generations, with 25 to 35 year olds unsurprisingly preferring resorts where water sports are popular and there is a lively nightlife, whereas the older generation (55-65) rated fish and chips and good views as most important.
Matt Cheevers, Managing Director of Teletext Holidays, said: “The classic British holiday resort is still as popular today as it has ever been. Despite the weather this summer, there are some fantastic local breaks available in Britain.”
A spokesperson for Visitscotland at the Dunoon Tourist Information Centre said: “We’re absolutely delighted at this news. Dunoon and Cowal is a lovely part of Argyll, and I am pleased we are getting recognition for this.”


CCTV SYSTEM UNDER REVIEW
The local CCTV steering group met recently to discuss the future operation of the camera system in Dunoon town centre.
CCTV Dunoon Ltd is the company set up to manage and administer the town’s CCTV scheme.
This has been funded by donations, payments from some local businesses and funding from Strathclyde Police. In addition, block funding is provided by Argyll and Bute Council, but this is distributed among all the CCTV steering groups in the county.
Funds raised by the company have purchased the existing hardware as well as meeting ongoing running costs like specialist telephone line rental, camera maintenance, and payments for operators.
CCTV has been in operation in Dunoon for over ten years. However, new legislation - the Private Security Industry Act regulations - may pose a threat to its continuation in its current form.
Under the new Act, camera operators and all those involved with the administration of the scheme would have to undergo lengthy and expensive training. For a local independent group like CCTV Dunoon, this imposes a potentially crippling practical and financial burden.
A meeting was held last week at Argyll and Bute Council headquarters in Kilmory to discuss the implications of the legislation on CCTV systems throughout the area.
Council Leader, Councillor Dick Walsh, said: “The impact of the regulations will be very severe.
“Work is ongoing to ascertain whether the trusts could be exempted from the licensing regime and alternatively to look at other ways of ensuring the continued operation of CCTV in Argyll and Bute.
“When considering the purpose and requirements of this new legislation and its impact on all our local CCTV schemes in Argyll and Bute, if the request for an exemption meets with no support then the Scottish Government will have to give consideration to supporting the local authorities and Strathclyde Police receiving appropriate grant support that will enable a public-funded and operated CCTV scheme for Argyll and Bute.”
Les Stewart, Chairperson of the Argyll and Bute CCTV Users Group, welcomed the commitment given by the council and the police to explore ways of ensuring the continuance of the schemes after the regulations come into force on 1st November.
Chief Inspector Andrew Mosley of Strathclyde Police confirmed that CCTV is a vital tool in the police armoury against crime and disorder in these towns and that it is vitally important that the systems are maintained.
Meanwhile, the Dunoon-based group continues to closely monitor the situation. Michael Boyce, secretary of the group, said: “It’s very important to keep CCTV in the town - it would be terrible to lose it.
“We are doing our best for the town, but this legislation will certainly hinder us.”


Double tragedy
A 42-year-old woman was killed following a road crash on the A83 Inveraray to Arrochar road on Monday morning.
Deborah Lynne Stearne of Knaresborough in North Yorkshire was riding a Kawasaki motorcycle northbound on the A83 when the motorbike collided with a Renault Clio car travelling in the opposite direction near to the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar. Tragically she died at the scene.The 73-year-old driver of the Clio was unhurt.
Police enquiries are ongoing into the incident.
On the same road, the following day, Tuesday, there was another fatal crash, again involving a motorbike.
At 1.35pm, near Lochgair on the A83, Sukhwinder Guraya, who was known as Ladi was killed after he apparently lost control of his Honda, left the carriageway and struck a tree. The 34-year-old from Alexandria died at the scene.
A police spokesperson said that there were no other cars involved although they are keen to speak to any witnesses. If you have any information please contact Roger Miller at Dunoon Police Office.


DUNOON GRAMMAR SCHOOL
The new Dunoon Grammar School opened to pupils on Monday August 20, following a week whereby staff were involved in the move from the ‘old’ building to the ‘new’.
The 1000+ pupils have voted the new building a great success and have been managing to find their way around it very well indeed.
The school is now 100 percent school uniform, and there has been considerable local comment about just how smart DGS pupils are looking.
The school is looking pretty smart too, with the new areas taking particular comment – for example, the central area, called the ‘Forum’, is quite different from the old school, and is more like a university refectory than the previous social areas.
The games hall is half as big again as the previous games hall, and will prove a tremendous local asset, as will the dance studio, and the fitness suite, kitted out with state of the art fitness machines.
The new classrooms, science labs, technical areas, computing rooms, drama rooms and music rooms are greatly appreciated by everyone.
At present the school is trying out ways of ‘traffic flow’ round the building, seeing what works, and how to improve it.
When everything is settled down, an open evening will be held to allow parents and friends the opportunity to see for themselves the new Dunoon Grammar School.
J Rhodes, Head Teacher