Weeks of December 7th & 14th 2001

December 14th 2001
	MAYBOLE Railway Station is looking more like its old self after litter was cleared and overgrown grass and shrubs cut back. Councillors Andy Hill and Alan Murray prompted the tidy-up during discussions with ScotRail.	ENTRANCES to Maybole could feature large floral boots, highlighting the town's industrial heritage. The idea comes from Maybole Business Association, launched earlier this year.
	Bill Clinton plays golf at Turnberry. It's not every day you end up playing golf with a former US President but that's what happened on Monday to David Fleming, golf professional and shop manager at Turnberry Professional's Shop ...	A NEW committee has emerged - despite a poor turn-out at the Carrick Speakers Golf Club extraordinary general meeting. The EGM was called after the AGM proved fruitless, also due to a poor turn-out.
	Douglas laps up his day at Old Trafford. Who was the last Scot to score at Old Trafford, wearing a Manchester United jersey?	Douglas lives his dream at Old Trafford. He steps up confidently and strokes home a penalty.
	IT'S panto time in Maybole tomorrow (Friday), when `Cinderella' is staged at the Town Hall. Maybole Community Association stages the show, by professional company M&M Productions.	Progress on Youth Action. Maybole Youth Action Group is making progress with the action plan it drew up earlier this year.
	£22m slashed from school upgrade plan COUNCILLORS have hacked £22 million off their bid for cash to upgrade schools. They say the £90 million package unveiled last week is unrealistic. Parents of youngsters at Minishant Primary also learned this week that the tiny village school is also earmarked for closure as part of a proposed radical overhaul of education across South Ayrshire. However, education convenor Sadie Bowie gave her assurance that there are NO plans to close any other village schools - but some will share head teachers as part of a cost-cutting exercise.

December 7th 2001

	MAYBOLE can't wait for Christmas! That was clear from huge turn-outs at two major festive events.	Well, dang ma britches! Ladies from the in-step Outlaws Line -dance Club had one of the stalls in the hall.
	Maybole kids in festive mood at the Christmas Bazaar on Saturday morning, posing with a Snowman.	Santa meets a group of kids in his Town Hall grotto at Saturday's Christmas Bazaar.
	Santa with young helpers aboard the special Carrick Round Table sleigh he uses in Maybole and district.	Youngsters at a festive stall manned by Pearl Barton and Minnie Gallagher (right) of Maybole OAPs.
	A South Ayrshire Council grant was well used by Alex Kelly, who used all his experience gathered over the years to buy new Christmas lights for the town...	Brass music always sounds festive, Santa and Councillors Murray and Hill agreed, after listening to Carrick Academy band.
	Panto star Dean Park was delighted to see such a huge crowd outside the Town Hall for the ceremony, and seemed to be having lots of fun himself as he kept the masses entertained prior to the switch-on...and had the throng singing `Ooh' and `Aah' from the recent hit record `Hey Baby'!
SANTA DROPS IN ON HIS SUPER SLEIGH
	You lucky man, Santa! No wonder Santa visits Maybole early. For where else could he enlist such glamorous helpers! They are Marian Morris (left) and Ruth Eaves, who joined the great man in the Town Hall on Saturday morning.	SANTA will be doing the rounds in Maybole and District, courtesy of Carrick Round Table's super sleigh. Tablers will take the opportunity to collect charity cash while out and about with the great man.
THE HEART OF MAYBOLE BEATS AGAIN
	A MAYBOLE landmark building is back in use after a £561,000 restoration. The derelict Carnegie Library has re-emerged as the Carnegie Building - and is set to be a multi-purpose asset. Councillor Andy Hill unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion and said: "Maybole now has a new centre for lifelong learning.	The determination of many, including myself, has seen the re-creation of the heart of the community!"

	Good books: Councillor Andy Hill with library staff (from left) Sheena Whiteford, Mary Turner and Susan Russell.	A BATCH of youngsters made a good move when they joined Carrick Chess Club. And they are enjoying the challenge of the game...
	MAYBOLE Town Hall will be the venue for a rural community conference and fundraising event in the New Year. South Ayrshire Council and Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire are helping fund the event. And there are 250 FREE places for Carrick community organisations; first-come, first-served.	FORMER Hearts and Scotland striker John Robertson proved he has a way with words at a Maybole dinner. `Robbo', now a coach with Livingston FC, was guest of honour at Maybole Juniors' annual sportsman's dinner. Also in the line-up at Carrick Sports Club was former Partick Thistle and Scotland goalkeeper Alan Rough.
	FUNDING of £20,000 has been secured to help set up a `social firm' in Maybole. And the project could lead to jobs for 45 disabled or disadvantaged folk. Maybole Community Development Group has netted the £20,000 funding to carry out a feasibility study...	CHAIRMAN Peter Simpson had no less than eight speakers at his disposal at a St Andrew's Night held by Carrick Speakers Club. The toast to Scotland came from Pat Innes, of Greenock Academy, whose talk on the history of Scottish education...
	LOOKING BACK: 100 years ago - `After a considerable amount of discussion, in which many names were suggested, it was resolved, on the motion of the Provost, that the road immediately behind the passenger station should in future be known as Gardenrose Avenue.	MAYBOLE Amateur Swimming Club held a 25th anniversary gala at the town's swimming baths, with a series of keenly contested events.