News Events for 2014                                            Archives 1999-2013

The tiles rescued from the demolished Co-op building in Maybole were on public display in the Carrick Centre recently and over 200 visitors went along to see them. The tiles have been preserved mainly thanks to local contractor John Jamieson and he was keen that as many people as possible got the chance to see them.

It was initially thought that this might be almost impossible to save the tiles due to the dangerous condition of the building and the location of the tiles under a collapsed roof.  See article about the demolition project.
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Locals living in the North Carrick area are being invited to attend a set of public exhibitions to discuss a ground breaking opportunity to develop a new community wind farm.  Maybole, Dunure and Kirkoswald, Maidens and Turnberry community councils are encouraging local people to discuss proposals for Knoweside Community Wind Farm, which could support major regeneration for the area.

The consultation, led by the community councils, will provide information on the regeneration plans and the proposed partnership with local landowner, Cassillis and Culzean Estates and Hamilton based energy firm, Banks Renewables; and ask residents if they support the proposal.  Should the response be positive, a planning application for a seven turbine development at Knoweside Hill could be submitted by the end of October 2014. Up to 23.8MW of energy could be generated from the site, enough to power over 18,700 homes annually. more

A ground-breaking new partnership between community councils, local estates and a respected developer is seeking to provide positive answers to some of the key challenges facing North Carrick. The Community Councils of Maybole, Dunure and Kirkoswald, Maidens and Turnberry are launching a major community consultation exercise on the regeneration proposals for North Carrick over the next 3 months, which includes a community wind farm. They hope to secure overwhelming support for the proposal that will guarantee the delivery of local action plans that have been developed by the communities over the last 18 months and will drive massive economic and social benefits into the area.  more

Culzean Castle was transformed over the weekend of August 30/31. There was a marvellous display of weaponry, vehicles and other equipment, and you could watch what was cooking in the field kitchen, as well as watch weapon firing and displays. Plus there was an  array of military personnel throughout history.  Maybole Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland (RBLS) was again invited by the National Trust for Scotland to conduct a Parade and Beating Retreat during the Forces in the Field event. more

Maybole held its annual gala last Saturday June 14 and the weather certainly played its part in making it a great day. The gala parade, led by Maybole Pipe Band, made its way from Carrick Academy to Glebe Park via Kirkoswald Road, Whitehall, High Street, St Cuthbert’s Road and Crosshill Road. At the park, the Gala King and Queen of Carrick were crowned by  Adam Ingram MSP and last year’s Queen, Ruth Dowie. Local councillors Brian Connolly, Ann Galbraith, Sandra Goldie and William Grant also took part in the ceremony. Theme for the Gala was Robert the Bruce. more

The Queen's Baton Relay is a tradition of the Commonwealth Games and symbolises the coming together of all Commonwealth nations and territories. The current relay began at Buckingham Palace on 9th October 2013, when Her Majesty The Queen placed Her message to the Commonwealth into the baton. Since then, it’s been making its way round 70 Commonwealth nations and territories, carried by thousands of inspirational baton bearers. The Queen's Baton Relay arrived in Scotland – as the host nation – on Saturday 14th June, 2014 and was welcomed to South Ayrshire on day 7 – Friday 20th June, 2014. more

Recently, 17 visitors from Urmitz, Germany, arrived in Maybole to celebrate 20 years of friendship with Maybole Pipe Band. Urmitz is some five miles downstream, on the banks of the River Rhine, from the German city of Koblenz. Band members travel to Urmitz each year where they are invited to perform in carnival parades during the “Rosemontag” festival. The band has performed in these carnivals every year since 1994 and made great friendships with the town and its people with whom they are invited to stay. As well as Urmitz, band members have played in parades in more than six other neighbouring towns in the Rhine area. In February this year, in Urmitz Town Hall, a mounted crest was presented from Maybole Pipe Band to the town of Urmitz, to mark the anniversary of the20 year friendship. more

A few weeks ago, we carried an article on President Eisenhower’s connections to Carrick and invited readers to send in any photos of his time here. One of the photos received shows a young Norma Rodger talking to the President outside Kirkoswald Church. The Minister is Mr Irvine, and the tall girl with the black hat is his daughter.  Does anyone know who else is in the photo? Also, there is a photograph (shown at right) of Dwight Eisenhower with former Provost of Maybole Mrs. Sarah Dunn. The young girl is Jackie Dunabie (now Mrs Wilson) who contributed this photo to www.maybole.org. In addition, more information and photos have been provided by Norry Welch who is an American, recently moved to England, who has just received an MS degree in Sustainable Heritage from  University College, London. Norry is interested in Eisenhower's life in Scotland and writing a series of articles ...more

Two large trees from Maybole’s Greenside have been cut down bringing them to an end after what is thought to be 120 years. In the January, 1894 edition of his famous monthly newsletter, Rev. Roderick Lawson of Maybole West Church wrote “The only plot of ground belonging to the town is that little space of half an acre or so, which the new Railway Station has brought into prominence. For a long time our Green was a disgrace to us being a medley of scanty grass and sticky mud, through which in the winter season it was not easy to pick one's steps. more

On an occasionally blustery but thankfully dry day, Stuart White of Girvan returned an excellent 68 to claim the Scratch trophy in the face of stiff opposition. In the Handicap section it was a closely fought battle too with Carrick Speakers Captain, Les Newlands, with a net 62, only just prevailing over Jim Brown from Girvan and Ian McKenzie of the Saxone club from Annanhill. All sixty-four competitors had a very enjoyable day, enhanced greatly by the excellent condition of Girvan golf course with the greens being of a particularly high standard; full credit for this must go to the green-keeping staff. more

Sixteen golfers took part in this year's Robin Speirs Memorial played round Maybole golf course on a glorious Easter Sunday. First was Robert Ferguson net 66 (1st on a countback) 2nd Davie Grant net 66 and 3rd Mark Elder net 69. Food was provided for the golfers by Callum McKelvie of the Maybole Arms. Golfers and regulars at the Maybole Arms raised £219 in the raffle for the British Heart Foundation.

Members of Ayrshire North and Ayrshire South Trefoil Guilds met in the Carrick Centre, Maybole, recently for their annual lunch. Maybole Guild hosted the event with Lillias McFarlane, Co-Chairman, welcoming the large company of members and guests. After a delicious lunch prepared and served by the Centre staff and volunteers, a number of reports were given. The first was by Margaret Rae, Scottish Secretary of the Trefoil Guild, followed by Mary Ross, Assistant County Commissioner Girlguiding Ayrshire North and Liz Seath, Trefoil Guild Chairman Ayrshire South. more

Maybole Bowling Club opened last Saturday for the new season. President Derek Walker welcomed everyone to Opening day, including guests from Alloway, Seafield and Wattfield Bowling Clubs and fellow members old and new. He also announced that at the recent Coffee Morning held in Maybole Town Hall just over £500 had been raised, and thanked all who donated and helped out at this event. He then introduced his grandson Calum Walker who threw the opening jack.

This year marks 20 years of Maybole Pipe Band travelling to the Rosenmontag Carnival in Rhineland Germany. The Rosen Montag Carnival is very much like Mardi Gras and falls every year on the Monday before Shrove Tuesday.  Pipe Sergeant Kevin McDermott told us, “The band first travelled to Urmitz in 1994 after Tom Fulton received an invitation from a friend who often travelled to the carnival. more

When Jim Stevens rose to propose a vote of thanks at the end of the concert provided by the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra, the audience were on the edges of their seats ready to respond. The Carrick Centre had rung to applause all night as Wallace Galbraith led his young players through a tremendous variety of music. Jim singled out only four members for individual mention... more

This a photo which has caused quite a bit of discussion on Facebook recently. Many existing properties can be seen and some of the controversy was around the houses overlooking the field. Are they Ladywell Road or Hutchison Street? After closer scrutiny they would appear to be, indeed, Hutchison Street. The three-house terrace in Kirkoswald Road can be clearly seen, and to its right the semi-detached pair with the crow-foot gables above their bay frontages -- they are number 4 and 6 in Kirkoswald Road.  more

Carrick Sports Club is definitely not closing down. That was decided at a recent Special General Meeting (SGM) of members. At the end of February the Club’s committee had called an SGM to consider a resolution to dissolve the Sports Club. Under the Club’s rules it needs a two thirds majority of the members present and eligible to vote for this resolution to be carried. Instead, members asked for a short time to see if the Club could be saved. An interim committee was set up and at the recalled SGM it was decided to keep the club open. Brian Connolly has been elected as the new Convener and he said afterwards, “It would appear that rumours of the demise of the Carrick Sports Club were greatly exaggerated ...”  more

On Saturday February 22, Ian Paterson, on behalf of Irene Wilson, Chairperson, and Maybole’s OAP Committee welcomed the senior citizens to their annual Christmas Dinner.  Although a bit late for the festive season, everyone enjoyed the meal, which was catered by Scott Catering of Cumnock. To finish off the afternoon they were entertained by Iain Jack. Photos are of the Committee and chairperson’s table.

A Celebration of Burns was held in The Carrick Centre, Maybole on Friday 7th February.   This was organised by the local fundraising committee, with the expert help of Andrea Hutchison who supervises events in the Centre, and was a joint venture of Maybole Parish Church and the Centre. Elizabeth McCrindle, on behalf of the committee, welcomed the company. The haggis was piped in by Andrew Fulton and addressed with gusto by Jim Stevens.

After the Selkirk Grace by Alan McFarlane, the packed hall enjoyed a traditional meal prepared by Robert Barr and staff and served by Centre volunteers. Alan Murray compered the next part of the evening and this included a talk by Alan himself entitled “A wee bit about Burns”. more

Carrick Sports Club’s Annual Burns Supper was held last Friday and was very well attended. Alan Murray chaired the evening and put the audience at ease with his competent and humorous manner. He made mention of the passing in the last year of Tom and Murray Cook who had been stalwarts of this event for almost 50 years. Alan was also impressed by the number of young people in attendance.

Bryce McCulloch piped in the haggis and addressed it with gusto in an excellent performance. Alex Meek recited the Selkirk Grace before the company enjoyed an excellent meal. The Fiddlers fae Ayr - Danny MacPherson, Kenny Turner and Danny Murphy - then treated the audience to a selection of Burns’ music. They also entertained at intervals during the evening. more

Rev Hendrie told those gathered that the theme for Holocaust Memorial Day this year was “Journeys” and he invited Carrick Academy school captains, Claire Bryan and Euan Andrew, to read the life stories of journeys that brought survivors to the UK.

Euan read the story of Freddie Knoller who was 17 years old when the Nazis entered Austria in 1938 and he was forced to leave his parental home for the first time.  He illegally entered Belgium, and after being held in various camps in Belgium and France, he was ultimately deported to Auschwitz concentration camp.  Forced on a death march from Auschwitz to Bergen-Belsen, Freddie was liberated by the British in April 1945. more

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