December 'Blog'

I'm frantically working on the December 'Blog' to get it finished and on-line by the target date (1st Dec) it seems to me that as one door closes another one shuts!

Please bear with me if it's a few days late - I know it gives the website viewing figures a boost because the stats tell me the first few days of the month are when it gets the most views and it also tell me the 'Blog' page is the most popular

In the meantime here's a question for you: What regiment is represented by this picture and what is the connection with Portgordon? Answer will be given tomorrow

Regeneration - Phase one

More detail is now available on phase one of the harbour regeneration project.

1. Form a Trust Port (Legal fees & Scottish Government Fees)
2. Dredging (stage one = sampling)
3. Repairs to Structure (pointing to masonary)
4. Miscellaneous works (new bridge to outer pier, vertical ladders, life saving equipment, signage, deck furniture)
5. Civil works (breakout and renew inner pier surfacing)

You will appreciate the tangible elements of the above appear modest, however, they pave the way for phase two

All of this is dependent on the latest funding application being successful and therefore it is not at all possible to give a start date.

There are many views and opinions as to the best way to go about developing the project, the foremost being voiced is the harbour should be dredged before anything else is done. It is not that straightforward.

The scheme has been developed on engineering principles and will be project managed in line with regulatory standards.The foregoing represents major progress and the Group look forward to recieving support from all quarters as it pursues its stated aim of contributing to improving the village for all

If you wish to make any comment please use the comments box below - your name will not be revealed unless you request this at the time of writing. Note: all comments are moderated (filtered) to avoid spam (junk mail) and it may take a few days for them to be published

Finally, thank you for your support

Can You Spare One and a half Million Pounds?

Harbour Regeneration


This is a snapshot of the current position


Despite well meaning forecasts that the Group could obtain £1.5 million as a lump sum to regenerate the harbour, the reality is quite different and whilst it has made representations to numerous bodies with regards to funding, it feels the recent financial climate has not helped matters. The Group has therefore decided to adopt what it considers a more appropriate route and has embarked on this.


The Business Plan is constantly under review and because of its fluid design it can be used in such a way as to promote a more tactical approach to funding - this may be better explained as a phased approach.


The Group has now applied for funding to meet the proposals in line with phase one (of four) and will provide more information on the detail in due course.


In the meantime, if you do know anybody that could spare £1.5 million......???

The Railway Station and Harbour

click to enlarge

© copyright Mike Stephen. Thanks to Mike for allowing me to use his work and also grateful thanks to officials of the Great North of Scotland Railway Association (GNSRA) for their assistance.

This photograph was taken on the 13th April 1968 just a few weeks before the line closed forever

I think you will agree that this is a powerful picture and one that's sure to evoke memories of a time not too long ago when everything seemed so much better. Not only has the railway gone, the two buildings at the side of the harbour are no longer there.

If you look closely you can see the breach in the north wall of the harbour, thankfully repaired by the Gurkhas (69th Gurkha Independant Field Squadron) in the eighties.

I do know that this site is visited from many parts of the globe and I hope the picture reminds you of the place that perhaps was your home at one time.

Next chance I get I'll take a picture from the same viewpoint so that you can compare today with yesterday

Here's a link to the GNSRA website

http://www.gnsra.org.uk/

Please remember them...

Portgordon Railway Station

I've recently come across a photograph of Portgordon railway station, dated 1968, showing the harbour in the background along with several buildings, close to the harbour, that are long gone.
The picture is sure to bring back memories to many of you
I'm currently negotiating with the copyright holder for permission to use his photograph on this site - watch this space!

Remembrance Sunday

Please pay your respects in your own special way to those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom

PORT GORDON or PORTGORDON

If you read the  November 'Blog' on the main website you will know that I intended to place pictures on this 'Blog' to let you see the apparent difference in the way the village name was portrayed on the railway station signs, have a look and see what you think - is it an optical illusion? - I don't think it is anyway it isn't intended to start a controversy, it's just that I find it an interesting subject

click on the picture to enlarge

Once again you may ask "What's this got to do with the harbour" the answer is Nothing, though I could suggest if you had been standing on the station platform you would have had a nice view of the harbour - so that's near enough of a connection for me

Many thanks to Maggie Reid for letting me use these pictures