In this week’s “Know Your News” we head back to 1954 as Largs Town Council were contemplating the controversial move to remove the Largs seafront car park.

Car owners visiting the Largs hotel, opposite the car park, were invited to sign their names in a petition book if they favoured the retention of the car park.

The ‘News’ reported that a considerable body of local opinion was in favour of removing the car park at the first opportunity. It has been described as a ‘blot on the town’s shop window’ and the Town Council had frequently been urged to provide alternative accommodation, and beautify the site with gardens.

We stated: “The removal of the car park was adopted as official policy in 1946 and the decision has never been rescinded. Ex-Provost Andrew Montgomery told the ratepayers’ meeting in Barrfields Pavilion that within the next year or 18 months, the Council might acquire a site for another car park, although he emphasised it did not follow that the existing car park would be closed.

“Not all ratepayers are by any means in favour of removing the car park. They consider it would be a waste of money and would mean an increase in rates. One argument against the seafront car park is that many of the motorists sit in their cars all day admiring the scenery of the Firth of Clyde, apart from intervals given over to picnic lunches and teas, causing other holidaymakers and residents to be denied the use of one of the most central parts of the foreshores.”

The Crowning of the Brisbane Queen ceremony, which was cancelled in 1953 due to it being a Coronation year, was revived on Wednesday July 21 1954. The ‘News’ reported: “The ceremony starts at 3pm and a fancy dress procession will parade through the town. Mr Alex MacGregor, the producer of the crowning ceremony, is introducing several new features dealing with episodes in the history of the Brisbane family, which was closely associated with the town.

“Mr David J Muir Agent-General in London for Queensland of which the capital city is Brisbane will attend the ceremony with his wife, Mr and Mrs Muir will also attend a gala dance at which the Brisbane Queen will be present in The Moorings on Wednesday evening. The Brisbane Queen elect is Sandra Duff.

The ‘News’ reported: “The ceremony was an outstanding success as Queen Sandra played her part with regal poise and charm. The commentary by Mr MacGregor and the music had been recorded at some of the rehearsals on a tape machine and it was an excellent piece of timing. There was not a hitch. The introduction of the episodes of the

history of the Brisbane family was a prelude to the main ceremony and it was a happy innovation, not only providing added spectacle, but giving the pageant meaning. The producer’s commentary on the history of the House of Brisbane and its distinguished members was an effective piece of dramatic writing well spoken.

“Mr James Henderson’s work with his tape recorder and the actual broadcast was a first-class bit of service.”

The lighting of the main thoroughfare of the town was praised by the outgoing Provost Andrew Montgomery. He stated: “Largs can take credit of being perhaps the first town in Scotland to install fluorescent lighting ranking for Government grant; this as we all know being fitted over the main thoroughfare of the town.”

The Largs Burgh Surveyor at a meeting of the Lighting Committee submitted proposals for the construction of two new set pieces for the illuminations to be designed and made up within the department and consist of pieces showing a golfer putting and a windmill to be erected at Barrfields putting green and yacht pond respectively.