Paul McCartney

[ionnsaigh]

Mr McCartney was used as an example, chiefly because of his property ownership in Kintyre. This being the Kintyre forum, I think it perfectly reasonable to mention the great ones name - in connection to Kintyre. The fundamental kernel of the post was - in respect to the all too apparent - unequal distribution of wealth in Kintyre. I wonder how much money one person actually needs - to live a comfortable lifestyle?. I used Paul as an example - merely to draw attention to the fact - that Campbeltown in particular - requires investment. I also share a love for Kintyre - this love includes peoples welfare.
He inherited £100 Million from the estate of Linda, another Kintyre lover - who's love appears to end at their purse strings.
As far as Tommy Sheridan is concerned I can't stand the man - the feelings mutual. For those with an interest in Scottish history - Sheridan was a media made leader. Whereas yours truly - was the voice and leader of the Anti Poll Tax Movement in Scotland.

[EMDEE]

Ionnsaigh,

If, as you say, the kernel of this thread is about unequal wealth distribution in Kintyre, then you should not have named it “Paul McCartney”. It appears to be an attack on McCartney’s altruism and social conscience.

There is unequal wealth distribution throughout the entire world, as I have no doubt you are well aware, as this is your passion. What appears to be a personal attack on the philanthropic activities of McCartney is not going to gain you any support on here, because he is not perceived locally as a villain with responsibility for providing employment and funding for local causes.

He may represent something for which you have a personal hatred, and you are entitled to your political opinions, but to extrapolate this into a claim that he could solve Kintyre’s economic problems with a cheque book is surprisingly naïve.

We also need to remember, as stated above, that he has supported local causes anonymously, and because of this, neither you nor I know what contribution he has made, and it is a bit presumptuous to assert that it is not enough.

[bill]

I was still a teenager working in the Co-op when Paul first came to Campbeltown with Jane Asher.His wish then,and throughout the intervening years with Linda and their family, was that he could walk the streets and get on with his life as quietly as possible.I'm glad to say that the locals granted him his wish,and on the whole he was accepted and left to his own devices.

As any local in the town,and on this Forum by the looks of it,will tell you Paul does not owe Campbeltown a handout.Neither does he"bask in the tourist limelight".

Over the years Campbeltown has gained greatly from the popularity of his song "Mull of Kintyre". As stated elsewhere on this Forum Campbeltown and Kintyre depends greatly on the tourists who flock to our wonderful scenery and golf coures etc.
Just imagine the free publicity over the years that Paul has provided with that one song.

How many millions have over the years visited Loch Lomond purely through hearing the song"You take the high road"?Paul has done the same for Campbeltown/Kintyre,as his song will be known and sung forever.

No Ionns Paul does not owe Campbeltown,but Campbeltown owes Paul big time.

[ionnsaigh]

EMDEE

At the risk of repeating myself ( what's new ). I have failed by omission - I should have included wealth in the title thread.
Paul McCartney's Wealth

Surely an enquiry into altruism and social conscience, isn't an attack - rather a mark - we can measure.
Have I to take for granted, that Mr McCartney has a philanthropic side to his personality. You see from where I'm sitting some do - and some don't.
No he is not seen as a villain - nor saviour for that matter. His wealth however clearly represents one end of the spectrum - from having way too much - to having way too little.
He has absolutely no responsibility whatsoever - for providing employment and funding local causes - which is just as well really - however at the end of the day - who has?. Because lets be frank - Campbeltown badly needs investment.
You are perhaps best placed, to judge whither he has given anonymously - this appears to be a contradiction.
I feel the same way about his wealth - than I do about the sight of your poverty .
If as to your post suggests - that one could solve Kintyre's economic problems - without a cheque book - then that is equally - if not more - naive.
Fur Christ's sake geis a song man.

[hugh]

You never give me your money, you only give me your funny papers...

[EMDEE]

EMDEE
If as to your post suggests - that one could solve Kintyre's economic problems - without a cheque book - then that is equally - if not more - naive.
Fur Christ's sake geis a song man.

That is obviously not what I stated. Don't assume a corollary that was neither implied nor intended. I am not as naive as you appear to think I am.

To clarify my point, my question is why does it need to be McCartney's cheque book?

You gie's a song Ionnsaigh, I'm not a singer, unless I've swallied a bottle of Laphroaig. I thought you didn't believe in Christ anyway?

[ionnsaigh]

Sorry mate,

The gies a song - was wan a they fancy things - a corollary - what's coal mining got to do with it.

[WC1]

Sir Paul gave substantially to The Picture House when it ran into difficult financial circumstances a few years ago. He even 'gift aided' the donation so that we could get something back from the tax man on the strength of it. He also supported the campaign to save music instruction (and thereby the school bands) a bit further back than that, when it was under threat from budget cuts. This was covered by the Sun newspaper as follows. On the day the pupils running the campaign wrote to Sir Paul to seek his support, a Sun reporter asked them 'Has he replied yet?'. Since the letter had only just gone, the answer was no. This was headlined 'Macca snubs band kids' campaign'. Despite this he did write a very supportive letter to the Council opposing the cut. One problem with being such a well-known (and wealthy) public figure is that he must be approached all the time by every Tom Dick and Harry looking for money or support or both. Just because he's rich and famous is no reason for anyone to assume they have the right to expect, or as some on this thread seem to imply, demand, his moral or financial support. Locally, no-one can say he has ever been anything but supportive to a range of causes.

[Govangirl]

Then the great man has done more than enough. I really don't see why it was raised in the first place. As has already been said, it is Campbeltown that owes him.

Saying that, if he ever decides to play a gig there, can I have two tickets please Malky?

[Mary G]

I also recall some other health-related, charity endeavours benefitting from his financial support - back in the 1970's, I think. Again, he did not want any publicity - I imagine for exactly the reasons outlined by WC1 - too much potential for being misconstrued.

And I am not saying that he has not given to any local causes in the interim - because how would I - or anyone - necessarily know? So, I know of no-one in Kintyre that bears him any ill-will. It is a mutually beneficial accommodation

[hugh]

I remember hearing of "health related" donations made by him, quite substantial ones for the time too, I believe. They just weren't publicly broadcast in the self-seeeking P.R. manner which seems to be the modern approach taken by so many lesser talents these days.
All in all the man's been a force for good in Kintyre, and I'm surprised anyone's questioned his influence on Kintyre. In fact, maybe I'm amazed.

[Govangirl]

Exactly, Hugh, We should listen to what the man said: "Thought of giving it all away To a registered charity. All I need is a pint a day".

[maxmix]

Sir Paul gave substantially to The Picture House when it ran into difficult financial circumstances a few years ago. He even 'gift aided' the donation so that we could get something back from the tax man on the strength of it. He also supported the campaign to save music instruction (and thereby the school bands) a bit further back than that, when it was under threat from budget cuts. This was covered by the Sun newspaper as follows. On the day the pupils running the campaign wrote to Sir Paul to seek his support, a Sun reporter asked them 'Has he replied yet?'. Since the letter had only just gone, the answer was no. This was headlined 'Macca snubs band kids' campaign'. Despite this he did write a very supportive letter to the Council opposing the cut. One problem with being such a well-known (and wealthy) public figure is that he must be approached all the time by every Tom Dick and Harry looking for money or support or both. Just because he's rich and famous is no reason for anyone to assume they have the right to expect, or as some on this thread seem to imply, demand, his moral or financial support. Locally, no-one can say he has ever been anything but supportive to a range of causes.

Brilliant Post answered

maxmix

[ionnsaigh]

If only maxmix.
Fact - some people have way too much personal wealth - I think I can safely add Sir Paul to the list.
I never suggested any handouts from Sir Paul - on the contrary - I suggested that if he opened a profit making business in Campbeltown - paying 20 workers in the region say £10 an hour. Imagine what this extra £6,000 a week - would do to the local economy.
It seems that Sir Paul has donated - and in all honesty that was the crux of my enquiry. I was never in the position to suggest that he had or hadn't.

[gizmo]

I think it really is none of anybody elses business what he spends his money on as long as he pays his taxes