Quarry Green Arena

[EMDEE]

Anyone have any memories and reminiscences of the outdoor concerts at the arena at the Quarry Green in front of Pensioners Row? I know that I was there on many Saturday nights in the 1960s. Is this something that could be revived at another venue to promote the tourist industry or is it really a thing of the past?

[bill]

Yes happy days Emdee, made more so by the fact there was no alcohol on sale. If it were to be revived I would think there would be a liquor license applied for.

[MPR]

I have a distant memory of the salvation army playing in the bandstand there. May be just a thing I heard about, but in my old minds eye can see them there, quite a crowd also, could be some kind of town gathering or???/

[WC1]

My recollection of this 'arena' is that it was used mainly for open-air dancing rather than concerts, and that's what was advertised in the old Town Council's summer entertainment programme. 'Local artistes', as the Courier used to put it, often performed popular or Scottish songs as part of the entertainment, not that Scottish songs weren't also popular. It was basically a rectangular area marked out by strings of coloured lights with a platform against the wall. Wooden flooring was put down to make it more suitable for dancing, though I'm not sure if that was there from the outset. I remember my mum and dad dancing there while the other kids and I stood at the side and look on mortified. Obviously it was very much weather-dependent, and was short-lived for that reason.

As for "Quarry Green Arena", I think that's a misnomer. I remember the term 'Quarry Green' as referring specifically to the area where the paddling pool was, not the whole of the grassed area from the New Quay Head down.

[MPR]

yes quarry green down kilkerran and did there not used to be some type of bandstand circle or something there.If you stood on the road facing the green, the bandstand thing would be to the right of the paddling pool close to the old lifeboat station building

[EMDEE]

To my knowledge, the grassed area from New Quay Head to the Paddling Pool has always been known locally as the "Quarry Green". I've never understood specifically why, but assumed there would be an historical reason.

I am, however happy to be corrected if someone knows the correct "official" name of this area.

[EMDEE]

yes quarry green down kilkerran and did there not used to be some type of bandstand circle or something there.If you stood on the road facing the green, the bandstand thing would be to the right of the paddling pool close to the old lifeboat station building

Correct MPR, There is indeed a concrete bandstand at the Paddling Pool which may have been used at one time, (I always thought it looked like a boxing ring) but the "arena" that I am talking about was a slabbed enclosed area adjacent to the New Quay Head where open air concerts were held in the 1960s. There was a temporary stage set up for the purpose. Regular appearances were made by Ceannloch Pipe Band.

[skrik]

Work commenced on the Quarry Green in 1897, by reclaiming land from the seashore and in-filling to form an embankment.
It took 33 years to complete (1930).

[gizmo]

As I understand it the paddling pool area was originally a quarry. I remember the Salvation Army playing there donkeys years ago in the "bandstand"
I have only over heard of the reclaimed land on the loch side of Kilkerran Road being referred to as the Quarry Green, probably is a misnomer but so is Lochend Street, Shore Street and the Milldam.
I remember the slabbed area up by Pensioners Row being used infrequently, it could be worth trying it again maybe with young musicians in some form of jamming sessions and of course organised events as well.

[bill]

I certainly recall the pipe band playing in the "bandstand". Sadly though I don't remember why.

[EMDEE]

I have only over heard of the reclaimed land on the loch side of Kilkerran Road being referred to as the Quarry Green, probably is a misnomer but so is Lochend Street, Shore Street and the Milldam.

Gizmo, as you are probably already aware, there are historical reasons for Lochend Street and Milldam. Why Shore Street is so named is a different matter. North Shore Street on the other hand was on the shore before the reclamation of the Mussel Ebb, in the same way as Lochend Street was at the end of the loch.

[EMDEE]

I certainly recall the pipe band playing in the "bandstand". Sadly though I don't remember why.

If you mean they played at the arena at the New Quay Head, then I know that this was an arrangement which was in place for a while and was an alternative venue for the regular Saturday night appearances which prior to and since then have taken place in the Main Street.

[gizmo]

The bandstand was the concrete structure down at the paddling pool. I have something in my head telling me I seen te pipeband down there as well but wasnt sure.
Emdee, Shore Street used to be the shore. I may be wrong here but I think there used to be rings in the wall at the bottom of the Manse house behind where the Rex was where boats used to be tied to. (I hope I havent dreamt this).

[EMDEE]

Emdee, Shore Street used to be the shore. I may be wrong here but I think there used to be rings in the wall at the bottom of the Manse house behind where the Rex was where boats used to be tied to. (I hope I havent dreamt this).

It would certainly make sense of the street name if this were the case. Is there any info on dates of this reclamation? it must surely predate the infilling of the Mussel Ebb and the Quarry Green. Is there a date for the building of the Christian Institute?

I had never heard of the rings at the back of the Highland Church Manse before.

[skrik]

Building work on the Christian Institute began in 1885 and it opened in 1887 as the Athaeneum reading and lecture room closed.
Mussel Ebb reclaimed between 1878 and 1880.