THERE'S never a week goes by without someone asking me about what’s happening about the Comet.

‘The Council let it go to ruin. They never looked efter it. They should have put a cover over it. When are we getting a new wan? Ye cannae have a Comet Festival withoot a Comet! It’s a disgrace! And you know it!’

Do we really need a new one though? The old one just sat there and didn’t do very much and it was just a 1962 replica anyway. Is there no’ enough shipyard memorabilia lying about the place without any more?

Or is the Comet and the Port so intertwined that it’s our moral and civic duty to return it to its pedestal?

Here is the lowdown for you. This is what’s happening. Or as much as they tell me anyway.

If you want to know all the historic stuff go and look it up on the internet but from what I remember Henry Bell got John Wood to build Europe’s first commercial steamship in Port Glasgow in 1812.

It was named after the Great Comet of 1811. If you hope to see the Great Comet the next time it comes round, you’ll need to live until the 48th century.

Eight years after its launch the Comet got wrecked up near Oban. Nobody died.

One of its engines found its way to the Science Museum in London. John Wood found his way to the graveyard on Glen Avenue.

For the 100th anniversary in 1912 there was a splendid day of celebration in the Port with the whole town turning out dressed to the nines.

The replica was built for the 150th anniversary.

The dignitaries had a wee sail over to Helensburgh and back.

For the 200th anniversary the boat got a makeover at Ferguson's.

When they were shifting it over to the yard two sleeping bags were found inside. The council tried to find out who had been living in it. They were probably wanting the council tax. As is normal in the Port, no one grassed.

Ten years later the wee beloved vessel gave up the ghost and it was removed to an outpouring of grief.

A committee was formed to see about a new one. They were great at talking but no’ at decisions. They had to do something but they couldn’t decide what.

Nae heids were seen above the parapet.

The committee was composed of councillors, council officers and community representatives. I chaired it. Not one of us had a scooby.

Expert advice has now come in though, from a number of quarters, and people who know about these things are being listened to.

The political will and the enthusiasm is there to get something done. The money might no’ be.

But all is not lost. Private benefactors have been quite interested and might still be in the wings and there is usually grant money for this sort of thing flying about the place.

This will be worked on. No one need worry about any urchin being deprived of a single spoonful of gruel to pay for it!

But what do we actually want? What are the options? That’s always a good place to start.

Do we go for the same again? Another replica. A like for like. Doesn’t even need to sail. And what do we make it with? Wood? It will go the same way as the last one. Steel? That would probably just look daft. Fibreglass? Big possibilities. Can be made to look like wood. Would probably last much longer too. Decisions, decisions!

What about a smaller representation? An indicative model in a case. With the engine from the last boat beside it and a load of story boards telling the tale. We are talking cheaper option here.

What about a big playboat? Like the one down at Lunderston Bay. Stick it in the Corrie Park and let the weans sail the high seas on it. Call it the Comet.

What about all three? And maybe a couple of times a year we can send up a Drone Show and have the Comet sail across our skies. We have the technology.

The committee will meet again soon. No decisions are likely. They might go for that public consultation thing which gets them off the hook if things go pear shaped.

Basically three things have to be done. Find out what’s wanted. See what it costs and then find the money and get it done. It’s that simple!

It’s time this was sorted!

It’s nothing less than Port Glasgow deserves!