THE official opening of the refurbished Largs Pier was carried out by HRH Princess Anne in a short ceremony this month back in 2009.

Contractors had to contend with winter weather, torpedoes and unknown Victorian sheeting during the project.

CMal chairman Grenville Johnston and the Princess Royal officially re-opened the historic harbour.

The £6m project to redevelop the 1834 structure was hailed by locals from both Largs and Millport as a tourist boost and an aid to local trade.

Mr Johnston told the gathering that they were still standing on the old 175 year old pier, which was underneath the new one.

He said “We at CMAL thank the people of Largs and Cumbrae. It has been our first major project and we are very pleased with the result and expect this harbour to last as long as the last one.”

In other news local boat operators were preparing to ship hundreds of visitors across to Wee Cumbrae for the historic inauguration of ‘Peace Island’.

Cumbrae Voyages proprietor Allan Henderson had been involved in talks with new island owners Sam and Sanita Poddar, who were expecting 1,000 visitors. Boats were to be leaving throughout the morning from 7am before returning in the late afternoon to evening. Hotels and guest houses in the Largs area had also been inundated with enquiries.

Peter Boyle, 88, had his wish for a Viking Funeral granted in Largs.

After the Viking Festival ended, Grahame Ross, the secretary, got a phone call from the matron of a Glasgow hospital with the unusual request.

She explained that Peter was ex Royal Navy, had no relations, colleagues or friends and wanted this special funeral. All the legal aspects of placing his ashes in the longship were resolved and his funeral took place after the torchlight procession from the Village to Aubery. Viking and Christian prayers were said for Peter, then a lone piper played a lament while the Longship burned. Peter’s dying wish was fulfilled and a crowd of 150 people sent him on his final journey.

The Viking Festival’s Continental Market proved popular as traders from as far as Spain, South Africa and Ecuador.

Elsewhere the Largs has got Talent competition proved to be a massive success at Barrfields Theatre - with judges Michelle McManus, Drew Cochrane and Calum McVittie having to make some tough decisions. In the end 15-year-old Largs Academy pupil Mhairi Miller was a worthy winner, thanks to a sublime version of the Dixie Chicks’ ‘Travellin’ Soldier’.

And finally Largs Toddlers Group were in the driving seat as the News visited Clark Memorial Church Hall to capture some magical moments from a fun day.