Cumbrae policeman John Jamieson is saying goodbye after spending the summer on the island, a job he has thoroughly enjoyed.

John, who lives in Largs, applied for the summer posting, having worked in the Greenock and Port Glasgow area for most of his career, spanning 21 years.

“I welcomed a change of scenery,” said the 53-year-old, “It is a totally different working environment, and the challenges are that you are pretty much left on your own, and have to make a lot of decisions yourself. It is not like on the mainland, where you have immediate back-up if you call for it.

“You have to think on your feet and adapt.” The popular officer has certainly made in-roads to the community, and the Country and Western festival was praised by police for passing without incident.

John added: “The community policing aspect is all about helping everything to run smoothly. I thoroughly enjoyed the country and western and scooter rally - it is big events like that which make it enjoyable, and it is a challenge as the island is so busy.

“It is a lovely place to be - the people are great and it is a very friendly local population which has made me feel very welcome.

“I think they have enjoying seeing a PC walking about and on cycling patrol. It has been well received by locals and visitors - everyone likes to see that, to be honest.” And now that the summer is at an end, John will be returning to the beat in Greenock and Port Glasgow.

He finishes on Cumbrae on 30 September.

Photo by Karen Brodie.