SUPERSTARS like Madonna and Robbie Williams were linked with making Little Cumbrae their hideaway retreat this week in 2002.
It was all part of ambitious plans by the island's then new owner if a newly-unveiled masterplan came to fruition.
Mr Steven Worrallo, of Holt Castle Enterprises, told the News of his exciting plans, including turning the island into an exclusive celebrity destination and filming location as well as hosting conferences, seminars, product launches, and a romantic setting for weddings and functions.
The plans were also set to bring additional tourism and employment to the local area.
Already there were plans afoot to film a “Survivor” style television series for satellite station, The Discovery Channel, on the island.
“One of the ideas we have is for the island to become an exclusive retreat for celebrities,” said Mr Worrallo, who owned corporate and wedding venues at Holt Castle in Worcester and Beamish in County Durham.
He first saw the island was up for sale in an advert in Country Life magazine and his heart was set on it when he arrived in Largs on his way to view Little Cumbrae.
“Largs is a fabulous area, very picturesque. I was pleasantly surprised, coming from the south of England, as to how nice the area was,” he said.
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Largs lifeboat helmsmen Graham Reid, right, Dave Hewitt and Kirsteen Woods attended an Atlantic advanced course which was held at the RNLI inshore lifeboat training centre in Cowes. The intensive week-long course included rough weather handling, capsize drill, helicopter transfers and search pattern techniques.
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Largs man Kevan Watson Bell was honoured with an MBE at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace. At the Investiture the Queen presented Warrant Officer Kevan, a member of the Intelligence Corps, with the Honour of admission to The Order of The British Empire for meritorious military service.
The award was a public expression of thanks by the Government for the outstanding contribution Kevan made in all areas as defense attache in the British Embassy, Tel-Aviv, Israel. The scope of the job was large and included fostering links with Israelis, Palestinians and the international attache community. It was necessary to travel in areas of conflict, often at considerable risk and during times of tension and hostile activity.
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On Good Friday a procession of people led by a cross-bearer paraded from the Cathedral of the Isles. The Revs. Tony and Pam Burden of the Episcopalian cathedral, and Rev. Marjory Mackay of the Parish Church of Scotland were among the group.
The first stop was at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour RC Church where the Catholic congregation met the group and gave a reading, a prayer and a hymn was sung.
Two more stops were made in the town, the final being Cumbrae Parish Church, when Rev. Mackay gave the Benediction.
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Millport paramedic Martin Fawdry retired from the Scottish Ambulance Service after 25 years of faithful service.
Martin, of Balloch Crescent, Millport, began his career as an Ambulance Technician in Kilmarnock in 1977. After serving 12 years there, he transferred to Millport in 1989 and became a paramedic in 1995.
Martin had been a popular ’ambulance man’ in Millport for 13 years. A special surprise party was organised for Martin by his colleagues and friends which was also attended by many of his former colleagues from Kilmarnock.
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And the Largs and Millport Weekly News was celebrating its 125th anniversary with a special eight page pull-out.
The Largs and Millport Weekly News owes its origin to the enterprise of Mr Robert Simpson who took an active interest in the civic life of Largs, and laid the foundations of a business that had gone on increasing under the capable management of successive members of his family.
A bookseller prior to Mr Simpson embarking on the production of a weekly newspaper, he had for many years carried on the business of bookseller and stationer started by his father in Main Street, Largs.
When he decided to establish himself as a printer, he secured premises at Haylieblair Close, where he installed his plant, and issued the first copies of the ”Largs and Millport Weekly News” on April 7, 1877.
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