Plans for a limited-invitation dinner to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the burgh of Cove and Kilcreggan failed to receive backing this week.
The villages’ community council heard that the dinner had been proposed by Murdo MacDonald, its secretary and also convener of Rosneath Peninsula West Community Development Trust.
Chairman Nick Davies said that Mr MacDonald had sourced £500 backing from Argyll and Bute Council’s provost’s civic hospitality budget and a £200 pledge from the development trust.
Now the community council – the successor body to Cove and Kilcreggan Burgh Council, which was ‘destroyed’ in local government reorganisation 40 years ago, was also being asked to donate £500 for a dinner in the Kilcreggan Hotel for about 40 people on December 4.
But Mr Davies said that although he appreciated Mr MacDonald’s efforts the plan seemed ‘elitist’: “Having a dinner for limited guests would be resented by those not invited.”
Rev Christine Murdoch said the dinner did not seem like a ‘community celebration’ and such an event should either be held outside or in Cove Burgh Hall.
And vice-chair Graham Barr said that earlier in the year a sub-committee had tried to organise wider celebrations but ‘the public lack of interest was dire’.
H added: “I don’t have a problem with spending money that may be available on a community get-together but I would have a problem with something that is not the community.”
There was no support for the idea, with members instead suggesting an event open to the whole community next spring, perhaps to coincide with the reopening of Craigrownie Park.
Money raised for these events was to be spent on a plaque instead.
Cove and Kilcreggan was founded in November 1865, and until its dissolution was though to be the smallest burgh in Scotland.
What??? This dinner proposal was ridiculous! Just spotted it – sorry, Julian haven’t looked at Lochside for a few weeks. Definitely should be a community event – Craigrownie Park would be a good venue – let’s also include the Youth Cafe, where Craigrownie Park young’uns will eventually end up before turning all grown-up. Make it in the summer – get some marquees in case of rain – and some ceilidh music – far better than a stuffy, exclusive, dinner full of dignitaries. No insult meant to the Kilcreggan Hotel – just need to get more people involved!