Members of Maybole Town Twinning
association are looking forward to continuing the 25th
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 30th 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, 1st
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 26th
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!” |