At Cairn Primary School Prize Giving the Parents Association presented each P7 pupil with a dictionary as a leaving gift. Daniel Wallace was awarded the Maths prize; Lauren Murray the Language prize and Ellis McDowell and Ewan Parker were joint recipients of the Citizenship award. House Captains Kyle Harkness and Caitlyn Davidson received the cup for the winning house, Sand

August 2006. The complete text of the headlines above and more articles follow below.

One of the best collections of archives relating to the day to day life on a major South West Scotland estate has now been catalogued and is accessible by the public.

The Kennedy family kindly decided to deposit the Culzean and Cassillis Estate papers, previously held in Maybole Castle, with the Ayrshire Archives Service and it has been over a year’s work for them just preserving, sorting and cataloguing the documents prior to making them available to researchers and other interested parties.

There was a very large turnout at Maybole Castle on Wednesday 26^th July where Dr Christine Lodge of Ayrshire Archives organised a preview of the catalogue and a sample of the papers for invited guests including representatives from Culzean and Cassillis Estate, South Ayrshire Council, Ayrshire Archives local and family historians from Carrick and representatives from other libraries and societies throughout Ayrshire.

Nick Larkin, Head of Enterprise and Property for South Ayrshire Council thanked the Kennedy family for their generous deposit and also thanked Christine and her staff for all the hard work they have done and made special mention of the volunteers and in particular James Brown. 

Professor Michael Moss of Glasgow University, who has written a comprehensive book on the Kennedy family and Culzean and who had studied the papers while they were still in Maybole Castle, then went on to give a short description of the content of the papers.  He said that they were a collection from the 17^th to the 20^th centuries including maps, plans, journals, day books, farm records, correspondence and much more detailing the day to day workings of the estate and the lives of those both on the estate and who had cause to provide the estate with goods and services.  He gave several examples of the intimate details contained in some of the correspondence and spoke of the value of the archive to agricultural, social and family historians.  Prof Moss finally thanked Chris Savage, the current factor for the estate, for his work and support and thanked the Kennedys again by asking the assembled company to toast the family.

David Smith, a renowned local historian and authority on Curling was particularly pleased to see that the archive contained the papers of the Maybole Curling Club starting from its foundation in 1829 – papers he has wanted to scrutinise for many years.

The Culzean and Cassillis Estate Papers can be accessed at Ayrshire Archives, Craigie Estate, Ayr (Tel. 01292 287584) during public opening hours which are currently between 10.00 am and 4.30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Margaret hands over the cheque to renal unit administrator Christine Fitzpatrick. Staff  nurses, standing from left, are Fiona Sweeney, Shirley Blair  and Jennifer Duncan. MARGARET Thomson’s 60th birthday party netted a super charity cheque for £1,300. Margaret asked for  donations instead of presents at a great Maybole Town Hall bash.  The money was raised in memory of her late husband Norman, who died of kidney failure four years ago. And Margaret personally presented a cheque to the Kidney Patients Support Group at Crosshouse Hospital. Staff nurse Shirley Blair said: “This donation is greatly appreciated and will be used to benefit all patients within the John Lynch Renal Unit.”

Royal Bank of Scotland Maybole Raise Funds for Local Charity. As part of The Royal Bank of Scotland's "Tartan Army Charity Challenge", a campaign set up by the Bank to raise funds for local charities, the Staff at Maybole Branch organised a "Beat the Goalie" competition at the local Gala in June. There was also a "Win a £50 Note" competition held in the Branch and from both of these the Staff raised £250 for their chosen charity "The Barbara McGill Trust". The Trust is a local voluntary group who rely on the hard work and goodwill of its supporters to raise funds for research and support for the sufferers of Wilson's Disease. As part of The Royal Bank's involvement in the community a further £250 was raised through their Community Cashback Scheme making a total of £500 being donated to the Trust.Mrs McGill thanked the staff for all their work in raising the money and said the bank had been wonderful in its support over the years.

The Maybole firm of David M Reid and Son celebrated 60 years of being in business last Friday evening in Maybole Town Hall. Present owner Allan Reid told invited guests, “To be technically correct - from 1946 to 1966 the business which was started by my father was David M Reid and then I became a partner, father running the business for 30 years and myself for 30 years. Hence the 60 year celebration.”Continuing Allan, added, “Joining us here tonight are customers past and present, without whose support no company can continue and I thank them for all their support given over the years.

“Equally, I would like to thank the drivers who were employed by the firm over the years because without their dedication and hard work we would not be here today. “I would like also to thank colleagues who are in the same line of business for their help over the years. We help one another out when we things get hectic and it’s great that we can rely on one another’s help.

“Personal friends play an important part in life and I am fortunate to have so many and thank them for their support in so many ways over the years. And then there is family and relatives - they are a great bunch and I have appreciated their help and support over the years and for this a big thank you goes to them. My thoughts turn to people from the aforementioned groups who are no longer with us but not forgotten about. Without mentioning anyone specifically, we will all have our own thoughts.”

Allan’s brother-in-law Gillies Watson then paid tribute to Allan saying, “To notch up 60 years in business, especially in these days, is by no means a small achievement. Things have changed so much in 60 years since Davie drove his first lorry and if he is looking down on us tonight I'm sure he will be sharing the feeling of pride that the family is feeling.

But on saying all that, the one thing that has not changed is your dedication to your job, when you say you will be there at a certain time - you are there - even a bit early - but never late. So it is with all this in mind that I would ask friends and family to be upstanding and raise your glasses to Allan - David M. Reid & Son.” Allan’s wife Elizabeth then presented him with a framed photo of one of the firm’s lorries.

Maybole community council recently agreed to support the proposed wind farm at Knoweside. The decision was taken after the community benefits from the Banks Group were explained to members. The operation of the wind farm will mean revenue to the Cassillis and Culzean Estates. The Estate intends to use this income to repair and maintain its land interests in North Carrick. The Estate has a policy of, wherever possible, only employing local tradesmen and services to work on their property. It is therefore estimated that the operating wind farm will put a significant amount of additional spend into local businesses.

A Community Benefits Fund would also be set up and administered locally to distribute approximately £55-65,000 per annum, depending on output, for 25 years. At the beginning of each year a £30,000 minimum payment would be made to the Fund, topped up at the year end. The Banks Group would also support the creation of two new community development posts by pledging £20,000 a year for 10 years. This could be used to apply for match funding to employ two people who would work with local groups to fund and deliver community projects in the North Carrick area. If match funding was not available over the whole 10 years then this funding could move in to the more general pot for local community projects.

Finally, if planning consent was given to the scheme, the Banks group would pledge £100,000 to Dunure Community Council, and £35,000 to Maybole Community Council. On commencement of site construction these funds would be made available to match fund with other sources of capital funds. At Dunure this would allow sufficient funds, when matched, to provide a new Community Hall to replace the existing Kennedy Hall. In Maybole the funds would be used to help the local Sports Association provide improved changing facilities. The Banks Group believe that this community package could bring significant benefit to the locality, and over the period of the wind farm allow many community projects to be supported and delivered.

Margaret Thomson with son Michael, his wife Marcia, their twins Paul and  Fiona, and Boby Green who had a body wax to help raise funds.  At the moment £1,220 has been raised by Margaret in aid of the Renal Unit  at  Crosshouse Hospital.  She says that the Unit was so good to her late husband Norman that she had  vowed that when she had a big birthday she would ask family and friends for  donations to the Unit instead of giving her presents.  "I wanted to do this in memory of Norman who died four years ago," she told  us.  Margaret's 60th birthday party was held in the Town Hall with the entertainment provided by "The Time of Your Life"music show with Christy  Mac  and Steve Bishop. Maybole Pipe Band also turned up and delighted the crowd.  Margaret would like to thank Bobby for having his body waxed and beautician Pat Smith for doing the waxing! "I would also like to thank my friends  Donna, Shirley, Margaret and Betty for all their help with the buffet,everyone who donated to the Unit and those who donated raffle prizes.

Maybole gents Golf Club played Carrick Speakers Golf Club for the first time last Friday evening and for one player it was a night to remember when Hugh McKay got a hole in one at the 9^th.

The match was played in a friendly but competitive spirit and afterwards Hugh bought a round of drinks for everyone to mark his achievement.

Both captains, Ramsay Eccles and Les Newlands, expressed the hope that this match between the two clubs would be the first of many.

Results: Maybole GC names first

Scott McCahill and David McBride and Bert Jardine 2 & 1

Ramsay Eccles and Alan Brownlee beat Hugh McKay and Billy Taylor by 2 holes

Gary Steele and Brian Boyd lost to Alan Lucas and Drew Ferguson 3 & 2

Tom Anderson and John Cuthbert beat Les Newlands and John Ritchie 3 & 2

Carrick Chess Club opens its doors on 23rd August from 7 - 10, (7 - 8 for beginners) in Maybole Town Hall. The Scottish chess season finished on 30th of June and its grand prix competition consists of four sections for everyone: candidates, challengers, major and minor. The junior has age sections and this time Carrick had 3 winners: Siegrun Macgilchrist was 2nd in the major, Ali Roy was first in the Knights (under 10) and Zak Roy was best ungraded junior. Eric MacKinnon (photo) is Carrick's new champion. Best league player is Ali Roy with 7.5/8!!! Other photo above: Athol Macgilchrist, Siegrun Macgilchrist with blitz trophy, Dr. Kenny Brooksbank giving back the championship trophy, Charlie Roy, joint winner of the Robertson cup, Steell MacFadzean, founder member & president. Ali with league trophy & Zak, youngest member of the club.

A former pupil of St Cuthbert’s primary school in Maybole and Queen Margaret Academy in Ayr has been named Best Overall Student at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. Jane Seymour, 26, won the Paul Kelly Award and part of her prize was a donation to a cancer charity of her choice and she chose the Breast Cancer Campaign. Paul Kelly was a third year student on the Diploma in Dramatic Art course at the Royal Academy when he lost a long and courageous fight against cancer. He succumbed to a spinal tumour on 20 December 1985, aged 21.

He was an actor of great promise, who worked hard to develop his considerable natural power. Following his death staff, students and patrons of the Academy set up a prize in Paul's name that, in consultation with the recipient of the award, would be given to a recognised medical charity concerned with cancer research or the care of persons suffering from cancer.  Last week Jane, her mother Isobel and sister Daisy handed a cheque for £400 to Maybole organisers of the Breast Cancer Campaign, Heather and Duncan Muir.

Jane applied for a starter course at Ayr college, then went on to study at Paisley college, and from there was accepted into the Royal Academy where she has completed three years studying for a BA in Technical Stage. At the end of her first year, she won the award for the student who had achieved the most as well as this recent award. Her mum Isobel said, “Funnily at school, when they did a wee test to see what jobs the pupils were suited for, hers came up as a scaffolder!! Now she's often up gantries in theatres and assembling scaffolding for outside gigs.”

At the moment Jane is assistant stage manager for "Black Watch" in the Edinburgh Festival, put on by the National Theatre and she loves her work. Her sister Daisy, 24, has just graduated as well with a BA Honours in Performing Arts at the Cumbrian College of Performing Arts in Carlisle. She, too, is a former pupil of St Cuthbert’s and Queen Margaret Academy. Heather Muir offered her congratulations to Jane on her achievement and thanked her for thinking of Breast Cancer Campaign.

Heather added, “A big thank you to all who have helped us in our fundraising. Maybole has been a very generous wee place. We hope to continue our work as long as possible. Our total at present stands at around £11,000. The usual Maybole calendars will be on sale later this year and of course, Santa's secretary will be going to work in December answering all the letters to Santa.” Anyone who wants to contact the Muirs should phone 01655 884439.

At Cairn Primary School Prize Giving the Parents Association presented each P7 pupil with a dictionary as a leaving gift. Daniel Wallace was awarded the Maths prize; Lauren Murray the Language prize and Ellis McDowell and Ewan Parker were joint recipients of the Citizenship award. House Captains Kyle Harkness and Caitlyn Davidson received the cup for the winning house, Sanda.

Fairknowe Nursing Home held an Open Day last week to allow the new owners to meet family and friends of residents.  Mead Medica has recently taken over the nursing home in Maybole and this gave company director Aileen Gardner and associate director of care Janet Warnes the opportunity to meet staff, residents and their families, as well as local medical practitioners and members of the community. fairknowe staff - Matron Ina Speirs (centre) with staff and directors staff2 Matron with catering staff on a break.

Fair share Trust awards in the Maybole area. The Scottish Community Foundation is delighted to announce that further grant has now been awarded from the Big Lottery Fund fair share Trust programme in the Maybole area. Maybole One Stop Shop – A consortium bid from May-Tag, Maybole Seniors Forum and Over the Rainbow has been awarded £98,040, to convert a vacant shop unit in Maybole town centre to provide a drop-in information, advice and advocacy service, accommodation for advice surgeries by other organisations and agencies, office accommodation and a base for the Seniors Forum, and meeting space for local groups. The One Stop Shop is intended to provide a range of services to residents of Maybole and surrounds – either directly, or through hosting surgeries or outreach sessions by other service providers – from information on local groups, facilities and services, through welfare and benefits advice

Members of Carrick Sports Club have a chance this weekend to win a considerable amount of money. Each week for the past couple of months there has been an “accumulator” running which could only be won if a member’s name came out the hat and that member was in the premises. Now the total is £70 and it must be won this Saturday August 19. Names will be drawn till someone present wins. In addition there will be the normal team quiz with a top prize available of £60. The club will also be marking what would have Buddy Holly’s 70^th birthday at the beginning of next month. Buddy Holly was born on September 7, 1936 and was tragically killed on February 3, 1959 although for many his music still lives on. On September 9 Maybole’s own rockabilly band “The Peas” will be appearing and the resident DJ is known to be a Buddy Holly fan so it should be a good night of old fashioned rock’n’roll.

Last Thursday there was a major consultation exercise held in Maybole to find out what local people would like to see done with the town’s golf clubhouse at Memorial Park. Maybole Ladies and Gents Golf Clubs would like to take over the facility and South Ayrshire Council wanted to find out what local opinion was of this plan. Members of the clubs and South Ayrshire staff were in attendance at the clubhouse to answer any questions and also invite those interested to fill in a questionnaire. Anyone who would still like to do so can get one from the local Council office or in local shops. Completed questionnaires must be returned by next Monday August 21.

In effect the clubhouse has been closed for some time and the Golf Club want a 25 year lease from the Council.  Bobby Green told us, “This will ensure the sustainability of the sport of golf in the local community.” He continued, “It will permit the development of an off-course facility to cater for our growing senior membership and provide a base to organise and facilitate the South Ayrshire Clubgolf Junior Development programme which we are committed to.”

The club had a very successful junior section in the past and members would like to see those days return to Maybole. In season 1970 Maybole won the league at the first attempt; in 1971 they were runners-up; in 1977 runners-up again; in 1982 and 1983 they won the league in consecutive years; in 1986 the team won both league and under 16 knockout trophies (only team ever to do so in same year; in 1988, 1990 and 1991 they were runners –up and in 1989 under 16 knockout winners.

In addition in 1981 Derek McCulloch won the Ayrshire champion of champions trophy, the only person from Maybole to do so. Players to have played at Maybole include Jim Milligan (Captain of the Walker Cup team), Paul Girvan, Andrew McQueen, Fraser McCulloch, all notable golf pros, and Gordon Sherry (pro on European tour). The thing they all had in common was they were unable to tame the course and suffered defeat at the hands of Maybole teams throughout the years.

At present the remnants of some of these Junior members still play at Maybole. The most notable of these is Scott McCahill who has won the Maybole Open in the last two years; is the holder of the Stephenson Open title (Girvan); holder of the Belleisle Open title; won the Brunston Open in 2005 and has recently become the first one handicap golfer in Maybole Golf Club. This is a remarkable achievement on what is considered by many to be one of the toughest in the west of Scotland.

Maybole and District Christian Aid Committee has raised £2460.96 this year. A special "thank you" to everyone who generously gave their time and their money to this worthwhile cause.