Members of Maybole Town Twinning association are looking forward to continuing the 25^th Anniversary Twinning celebrations between Maybole and Crosne when a party from Crosne will visit over the weekend of 28 – 30 September. Among the events organised over the weekend will be a tour of Maybole Castle on the Friday afternoon, a visit to Culzean on the Saturday morning, time for shopping in the afternoon, and on the Saturday evening South Ayrshire Council is providing a Civic Reception in County Hall, County Buildings Ayr.

On Sunday 30^th September a light lunch is being held in the Carrick Speakers Club where a warm invitation is given to twinners who have been involved in the past and to Maybole Pipe Band, who have taken part in many visits, to go along and enjoy lunch and meet up with old friends. Anyone who would like to attend the lunch or join up with the twinners for any of the events please confirm with either Lesley on 883312 or Hugh on 883150. Photo of welcome in 1982

Residents of Maybole and members of the Community Council attended a public consultation meeting for the UNESCO Galloway & Ayrshire Biosphere Reserve, with a presentation by Mark Davies, Community Liaison Officer for East Ayrshire Woodlands. Continued Biosphere status is dependant on the support of local communities and exists to promote and support a wide range of initiatives from local produce and local crafts, to eco tourism, training, employment and sustainable land use. Views from the meeting included the potential for Maybole to develop into a gateway town for the Biosphere and to act as an important tourist attractor for the area in general. As this initial consultation phase is near an end, it is important that local people submit there views, either stating their support in writing, returning the Biosphere leaflets that are available in local libraries and some shops or by visiting the Biosphere website at www.sup.org.uk. For further information, please contact Mark Davies at East Ayrshire Woodlands on 01290 426973 or email mark.davies@east-ayrshire.gov.uk. http://www.sup.org.uk/Biosphere/index.htm

A Maybole business, Rosebank in Whitehall, was given 48 hours at the weekend to remove a small advertising A-frame and a plant display from the pavement outside. If the owners, Jane and Bryce McCulloch, don’t remove these then Transport Scotland intends to serve formal notice and then remove them at the owners’ expense. Bryce told us, “I was visited by a representative from Amey some weeks ago and they informed me that the A frame and the plant displays at my shop front are illegal and must be removed. The reason given was ‘it is a hazard to pedestrians’ yet they stick out less than the wheelie bins.

“At the weekend I received a letter from Amey saying ‘It has been noted from our regular inspections that footways have been impeded due to placing of advertising signs, shopping trolleys and produce. Several proprietors were warned that these should be removed unless prior permission had been obtained. We have no record of permission having been granted and our observations now suggest that, if anything, the situation has deteriorated.

As I am sure you will appreciate, such obstructions can cause serious problems for pedestrians, particularly those with visual or mobility impairment.’” Bryce continued, “Even although I do not use half of the pavement width for this it is deemed an obstruction. In fact, the pavement is one of the widest in the length of the A77 for shopping. It measures 92 inches from the wall of my shop to the edge of the pavement. From the edge of the plant display to the road is 70 inches – almost 6 feet.”

“In fact, recently an Amey van managed to park outside my shop on the pavement for about 15 minutes and there was still room for the display and people could walk past!” He said he would like to challenge the decision but had to follow the instruction in the letter; he would be contacting local councillors.

“Maybole traders are finding it increasingly difficult to do business due to traffic congestion, free travel for pensioners who go to Ayr, and a lack of parking facilities. We have heard recently of more shop closures on the High Street and if this request is allowed to happen then a good percentage of my business will dry up, not to mention those of others on the street, thus making the street a less attractive place to go with fewer and fewer businesses being able to survive.

“Advertising works, in a town like Maybole it is what passers by judge the town on and impressions are made on that basis. In future it will look really exciting when all the shops appear to be closed. This will take away from the character of the town and people’s impression of it. “The reason given was ‘it is a hazard to pedestrians’. Does this mean that the A77 should therefore be closed as it represents a greater threat to the community? “Does it mean that Somerfield have to remove their trolleys? “Does this ruling include street furniture like lamp posts, litter bins, railings, pedestrian crossings, uneven pavements? “I think this is an unfair decision considering the traders on the street don't cause as many hazards as Amey and the council.”

Cathy Jamieson MSP had received a reply from Transport Scotland in June which said, “Whilst noting the comments of local traders, the use of unauthorised sign-boards is a regular source of complaint to both Amey and South Ayrshire Council. Where footways are narrow, such as on the A77 through Maybole, signs, merchandise and other objects placed outside shops can create an unacceptable hazard for pedestrians. This is of particular concern in relation to vulnerable groups such as visually impaired people, the elderly, people with mobility problems and parents with prams. Even where no obstruction is caused, Transport Scotland policy presumes against advertising signage within the trunk road boundary and any application will be carefully scrutinised.

Amey are undertaking this exercise at a number of locations on the A77 in response to public complaints, and most of the traders approached by Amey have now noted their advice and complied. Section 59 of the Roads (Scotland) Act, 1984 creates an offence of placing any object on a road so as to cause an obstruction, and those responsible must remove the obstruction at the request of the roads authority or the police. Should they fail to comply, the roads authority will arrange to have the obstruction removed and recover expenses from those responsible.” Councillor Brian Connolly commented at the weekend, “Somerfield has removed their trolleys from outside the store, so they have obviously received the same letter.

From my perspective where there is an obstruction it clearly must be removed but life has got tougher for the small businesses and customers in the town due to petty bureaucracy gone mad. The litter bins and equipment placed by Transport Scotland/Amey cause a greater obstruction and they should concentrate their energy on the important issues like the speed warning sign at the north side of the town. This system was put in for the safety of our schoolchildren and is still no closer to working after 2 years.”

Peter Mason, chairman of Maybole Community Council added, “I think this is a disgrace, and we as a community council will be discussing this problem on Tuesday. “Is this Amey getting at the population of Maybole because of the stand we have taken on the traffic lights, the 30 mph signage and traffic calming measures?”

Public meeting hall rents increased charges for use of Maybole Town Hall have been cancelled following a public meeting last week. Letters will be sent to local groups to let them know that there current charges will stay pending a full review of all charges in South Ayrshire properties which could take some time.

Around 40 members of local organisations attended the meeting which was chaired by Peter Mason, chairman of Maybole Community Council. Former Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Andy Hill described the proposed increases as “ahhorrent” and “disgraceful” and asked who had made the decision if councillors hadn’t known about it.

Pat Whelan, Head of Lifelong Learning, said that the Council had been discussing charges for some time but the decision to send out letters increasing charges was regrettable and he took responsibility. “There are many inconsistencies in letting charges and no rationale,” he said. He explained that staff had been merged, “but the letters should not have been sent out and I apologise for that.” He added that the earliest new proposals could be put to elected members would be August 29 and there would be consultation. Mr Whelan said that there were many local agreements all over South Ayrshire and these would have to be looked at. “Meanwhile,” he said, “rents will stay at their current levels.”

The history of Maybole Community Association running the community centre at Ladyland Road was discussed and Mr Whelan said he would look at what the agreement was when the centre was closed ten years ago. At that time local groups had lost the rights they had and had to move to the Town Hall or find other premises. Alex Kelly, chairman of Carrick Crime Prevention Panel, said he regarded the increases as “extortionate”.

Members of the Indoor Bowling group said they had free use of the main hall on the understanding that they give it up if there is another booking. If they were now to be charged the £15 per hour they could not be expected to give it up and indeed might have to disband. Mr Whelan said that the Council needed a consistent policy on use and charges.

Senga Fergusson, 1^st Maybole Brownies, said she was surprised that some groups were not paying anything and added that the increase could seriously affect the viability of her group. This increase is disgraceful,” she said. “The Brownies are one of the strongest organisations in the town and I don’t want to have a group for only those that can afford it.”

“I need to know what the rents are going to be,” she added. “If we start at the current rent and parents buy uniforms and then the charges go up the group may close and the money wasted.” Andy Hill said he remembered that when the former community centre was pulled down it was because if the state of the building but there had been an assurance that the Town Hall would be treated like a community centre.

Councillor Ann Galbraith said that after the rview of all charges there would be consultation. “The increases might not happen,” she said “We are aware of how strong the community spirit is in Maybole.” Councillor Sandra Goldie said the review would be a lengthy process adding, “The increases are not signed and sealed.” Pat Whelan also added that the Council had a grants scheme and local groups could apply to this for funding.

Various others from senior groups said they felt the increases were too much. Netta Robertson, of The Cabin, said the elderly dropped in to there rooms in the basement of the Town Hall and tea was sold which paid for outings, “If we had to pay for using the rooms,” she said, “it wouldn’t be worth opening.” Archie Scobie said, “This is supposed to be a community hall, these increases will deny its use.

Mr Whelan again said that there was a need to get consistency taking into account all the different charging systems and subsidies. “It was a mistake to send out the letters increasing charges,” he repeated, “and we will do what we can to address the issues.”

Angela Bissett felt that groups were being held to ransom but Mr Whelan said this would not be the case and confirmed that the letters would be replaced reinstating the current charges. Peter Mason said he felt those who run voluntary groups gave up there time for the good of the community. “I don’t know why they don’t get the hall free,” he said.

He went on to say that the Community Council had been told that their charge was going up to £8.40 per hour from August when it had been free in the past and all other community councils got free use of South Ayrshire premises. If there were no suitable premises an exra grant would be paid to hire somewhere else. “In 30 years we have never been charged, our admin grant from the Council would be wholly taken up by these charges if they go ahead,” he said.

Councillor Brian Connolly said, “We want to encourage groups in their community work. If the reassurances from Pat Whelan are not sufficient, the Panel looking at the charges has three of the four councillors here tonight sitting on it.” Alex Kelly urged, “If you want a vibrant Maybole, please look favourably at this matter.”

Members of Tackety Bit Hillwalking Club headed for a day’s walking in the Galloways last Saturday. They met at Bruce’s Stone car park for a walk across the Awful Hand and then headed along the well established path up through the forest onto Benyellary and then onto The Merrick where lunch and a wee rest was had. The group then went down the Little Spear and up Kirriereoch hill, before making their way up on to Tarfessock Hill. On the way up to Shalloch on Minnoch, some members visited the Maidens Bed and had a little lie down but with the maiden not appearing it was on to the summit and the long walk back to the car at Stinchar Bridge. The weather was warm and cloudy, with it getting quite windy at certain parts of the day. The party covered a distance of 11 miles and reached a height of 843 metres. A special mention goes to Ian Davidson for his efforts in keeping the spirits of his fellow walkers up. While crossing the last burn before reaching the car, he slipped on a stone and completed a somersault before hitting the water and earning himself a very wet journey home. The club’s next meeting is in the Welltrees Inn, Maybole, on Thursday, August 16, at 8.15pm.

Maybole Majorette and Dance School has restarted for the new session with enrolment on Tuesday August 28 at Maybole Town Hall. The enrolment fee is £2 and the dance school welcomes boys and girls from 3 years upwards.

Classes are Majorettes, Ballet Acrobatics, Tap and Stage.

There are new times of classes:

BABY CLASS (3 years +)       3.45pm - 4.30pm

PRIMARY CLASS                 3.45pm - 6.00pm

JUNIOR CLASS                     5.00pm - 7.00pm

SENIOR CLASSES   Secondary School upwards       7.00pm - 9.30pm

Further details from Tel: 01655 882872.

The school’s annual show this year was “Battle of the Bands” with classes performing routines to all girl and all boy bands.

Programme:

First half

1. Baby Tap     Shang a lang

2. Junior/senior Tap      All about you

3. Junior Acrobatics      Love machine

4. Baby Majorettes       Doodah

5. Senior Acrobatics     Walk like an Egyptian

6. Primary Modern -I'm a believer

7. Senior Modern         Do your thing

8. Baby Ballet               Puppy love

9. Special Guests          I want to break free

After the interval the programme was:

1. Advanced Ballet       Angels’ wings

2. Junior Modern          You spin me

3. Baby Tap     Shang a lang

4. Primary Majorettes   The lion sleeps tonight

5. Junior/Senior Ballet   Queen of my heart

6. Baby Majorettes       Doodah

7. Primary Tap             Yellow submarine

8. Junior Majorettes      Bite the dust

9. Baby Ballet               Puppy love

10. Senior Majorettes               Don't stop me now

On Sunday 26^th August two bus loads of pilgrims from Our Lady & St Cuthbert’s, Maybole, and St Ann’s, Mossblown, left to join other parish groups for the annual Diocese of Galloway pilgrimage to Whithorn, to commemorate St Ninian’s landing on our shores. St Ninian, the son of a Roman Chieftain, left Scotland to study in Rome and returned to preach the Christian Gospel around the year AD 397. He built a white church there which became the mission centre for Christianity in the southwest Scotland area and beyond.

The majority of the pilgrims from Our Lady & St Cuthbert’s were young people whose presence enlivened the proceedings and who were very evidently happy to be there. After a short stop at Newton Stewart, buses arrived at Whithorn around 3.30pm and deposited some pilgrims, unable to make it to the cave, at the church of St Martin and St Ninian. The buses then took the others to the start of the walk to the shore, which they just reached in time for Mass. The walk was very pleasant with the happy shouts of the children echoing through the woods.

The weather was kind to the pilgrims, the sun shining through the clouds just enough to overcome the effect of the sea breezes which can be pretty constant on the exposed beach. The Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Cunningham and diocesan clergy, high up on the rocks, near the cave, and Deacon Philip Kitchen, former Deputy Head at Queen Margaret Academy, gave the homily. It felt like the Scottish version of the Sermon on the Mount! After Mass Fr McGrattan gathered the children from both parishes and showed them around the cave, which they all found very interesting.

He told us, “From the noise and the antics, this was a most enjoyable part of the proceedings and allowed the young people to get rid of their surplus energy by exploring the area and larking around with one another. It was a very happy group of excited young people who returned to the bus, no doubt more than ready for their fish and chips in Stranraer. “For the more senior parishioners it was encouraging to see so many young people participating and so obviously enjoying it. All in all a very worthwhile day!”