February 22nd 2002

February 15th 2002

February 1st 2002

She's only 25 but already flying high in her career. Former Carrick Academy pupil Caroline Galloway is commercial director of Air Charter Corporation (ACC), working from a suite of offices at Prestwick Airport. The daughter of Ayr-based Detective Sergeant Freddie Galloway, Caroline has an entrepreneurial spirit that former boss Tom Hunter would surely applaud as chairman of the Entrepreneurial Exchange. Click on the article from the Post at left to read the whole story.

The complete text of the headlines above follows.

 February 15th 2002

PARENTS have formed an action group in a bid to keep a Maybole school's `unique identity'. And they plan to gather signatures for a petition aimed at saving St Cuthbert's Primary. South Ayrshire Council proposals would see St Cuthbert's share a campus with Cairn Primary. But St Cuthbert's Action Group says it is preparing for an `active campaign to make sure the school is not changed'. An action group newsletter stresses no objection to Cairn Primary, which is referred to as `a perfectly good school'. But the group lists concerns over a joint campus, including: Loss of identity in merging with a bigger school. Pupils being picked on for `being different'. Upheaval in education due to re-locating. The newsletter says St Cuthbert's pupils benefit greatly from being in a school of just 60. Educational excellence is highlighted by St Cuthbert's pupils winning Maybole's Jean Falconer Literary Award in all but ONE of the past 13 years. And the newsletter says pupils gain confidence by ALL having to appear in events like the Christmas Nativity play. South Ayrshire Council has submitted a £65 million bid for Public Private Partnership Funding for local schools. The radical overhaul of education across the district includes a £2 million joint campus for Cairn and St Cuthbert's. The Scottish Executive is expected to announce a decision on the bid around mid-April. The St Cuthbert's Action Group newsletter says: "We plan to liaise with other affected schools, and support them in any joint ventures to dissuade the council from this way of thinking."

POETS - and they know it! That's the pupils of Gardenrose Primary who took part in the annual Burns Federation Competition. And many excelled themselves with expressive recitations to gain awards. Head teacher Mrs Pat Forrest hosted the school competition, but it wasn't just a day for rhyming. For she welcomed guest piper Mr George Murdoch, and there was dancing from pupils Kirsty Loch, Gail Barr, Emma Houston, Eilidh Gerrish, Fiona Russell, Ashleigh Swann and Suzanne Armour. Poetry honours went to: P2 - Aylie Walker, The Daisy; P3 - Heather Kerr, Twa Leggit Mice; P4 - Connor A. Graham, The Sair Finger; P5 - Mhairi Hughes, Skool in June; P6 - Greg Montgomery, Scottish Weather; P7 - Elizabeth McJannet, Poaching in Excelsis. Heather also collected the P3 shield, while Greg received the P6 Cup. P1 pupils didn't compete as such, but did enchant everyone with a collective recitation of `Beasties'.

WORK is under way to create a stunning new courtyard garden at a Maybole primary school. And pupils of hill-top Gardenrose Primary can look forward to a lovely sheltered haven. Councillor Alan Murray went along to see the start of groundwork, and congratulate parents behind the idea. He is pleased South Ayrshire Council's rural affairs committee contributed £5,500 to the project. And this proved a timely boost to an estimated £12,639 - in cash and kind - provided by parents, local residents and local businesses. Councillor Murray said: "Gardenrose Parents' Association sought funding to help them provide an environmentally-friendly garden and picnic area in an unused part of the school. "The aim is to provide a safe, usable area for children and adults. "I am really delighted that construction work is now underway, and I wish the highly worthwhile project every success." Councillor Murray is a member of the rural affairs committee, as well as a vice-convener of the educational services committee. Becky Fleming, secretary of Gardenrose PA, is also an architect, and she drew up the plan for the project. She said: "It really is marvellous to see things happening. Although the weather has been atrocious, a start has been made, and we are hoping that better weather in the spring will allow work to progress more quickly." Mrs Fleming stressed: "The support we have received has been tremendous, with many people donating their services and materials free of charge, and of course we are grateful to everyone who has made cash donations to the project."

A BYPASS for Maybole remains well out of reach. That was the blunt message from a Holyrood minister to MSP Cathy Jamieson. "Unfortunately, given limited resources, such solutions are not always possible," deputy transport minister Lewis Macdonald has told her. Ms Jamieson had written to him on behalf of worried constituents in Maybole, Mauchline and New Cumnock. But none of the three towns is earmarked for a bypass in the current programme of improvements. And Mr Macdonald wrote back to Ms Jamieson: "While we are continuing to identify priorities for future roads programmes, all potential schemes stand to be judged in the light of competing national demands." He goes on: "I realise that many residents of these communities view a bypass as essential to effecting improvements in levels of safety and comfort." But he highlights the Scottish Executive's `limited resources' and adds: "In certain situations, the best response is afforded by relatively low-cost measures to constrain the speed and access of through traffic. "In recent years, such steps have been taken to good effect in all three towns." Mr Macdonald points out: "As regards road improvements more generally, there are six schemes scheduled for the A77 and four for the A76 over the next three years, representing an estimated investment of some £10.75m. "These works target a number of maintenance and improvement issues."

MAYBOLE Community Council is still compiling a list of problems experienced by local people in icy conditions. And anyone who has not been in touch is invited to contact any community councillor they know, or secretary Anne Walker on (01655) 882796 by this weekend. The community council has already raised the matter with South Ayrshire Council, and has received a reply detailing action taken. Roads chief Keith Murray says that in the two weeks over Christmas and New Year there were gritting operations on 23 occasions. These were in response to forecasts of snow which generally did not materialise, and 40 tonnes of salt was spread. Community councillors say they cannot dispute Mr Murray's statistics, but are concerned there were more reports of people falling than ever before.

THERE was an excellent turn-out for a sensational audio-visual show at Maybole Town Hall. Fred Westcott presented `The Wildlife of Carrick', and easily kept the suitably large company entertained for a full hour and a quarter. Maybole Historical Society arranged the event, which packed out the lesser Town Hall.

FUTURE Remembrance Sunday services in Maybole may be held in the Town Hall, rather than a local church. The hall is seen as the most central point, particularly for elderly folk who live near the town centre. And a parade from the hall to the war memorial would give the day a higher profile. The idea emerged at a recent meeting between Maybole Community Council and the Maybole branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland. It is proposed the Town Hall should host an ecume­nical service, prior to the wreath-laying at the memorial. As the march to the war memorial would take longer, the service would start at 9.45am, finishing at 10.30, to allow time for everyone to be at the war memorial for 11. Transport would be laid on for those unable to walk to the war memorial. And a clergyman would remain in the Town Hall to conduct the Remembrance silence for those who wish to remain there. The community council is now consulting with local churches to get their views on the idea.

EILIDH Douglas won all her seven games in Carrick Chess Club's January Blitz, going home with the Rock Trophy. Eilidh's mum Helen also lifted an award, the Queen Trophy, in what was her first-ever blitz session. The Carrick club. meanwhile, lost to Prestwick B by 2« to 1« in a recent league game. Results (Carrick names first): Steell McFadzean 0, Arthur McCurley 1; Vincenzo Tedeschi «, David Ferguson «; John Bryden 0, John Dement 1; Athol Macgilchrist 1, Rory Timmons 0. Carrick captain Siegrun Macgilchrist recently played three games for Ayr in Division 1, drawing on boards 1 and 2, and losing on board 3. Busy Siegrun also plays for Polytechnic C in the Glasgow League, and the team is shaping for a top three place in the city's Division 2.

MAYBOLE aims to play its part in the UK's national history week in May. And groups are invited to the Lesser Town Hall on Monday, February 18, to start drawing up plans. It is hoped that representatives of as many groups as possible will attend the meeting, which starts at 7.30pm. And the Maybole Historical Society, which has called the meeting, hopes the rich history of Maybole and Carrick can be highlighted as part of the national celebrations.

February 8th 2002

FAMILIES were ordered to flee their homes after council workmen branded them dangerous.
And now residents in a Maybole housing scheme are demanding that every home is checked, claiming that their safety could be at risk. Mum Margaret Miller revealed how she was given just three hours to pack up and move out of her house in Manse Street on Friday afternoon. She insists that the building had been subsiding for years before serious structural defects were discovered. Three families were evacuated from the four-in-a-block building after council workmen discovered a crumbling supporting wall during routine work on an empty house. According to Mrs Miller, she has complained about cracked walls and sewers for years and till now had no idea her family was in any danger. She blasted: "They told us on Friday it was not safe to stay and even changed the locks to keep us out. This kind of thing doesn't just happen. It must have been like this for years." Residents in the area revealed that the homes were built more than 50 years ago on the site of the former Lorne Tannery. They claim some of their homes could have been erected on top of abandoned tanning pits. Foundations are visible at ground level on the evacuated building along with cracks on outside walls and stairs. Mrs Miller revealed: "I was at home when the door chapped and it was the clerk of works. He asked if he could check something. "The next thing, he had the floor-boards up and one person after another came in to look. The old woman who used to live next door died and they were renovating her house. I was told there was a big hole under the floor next door.

"They gave me until 7pm to get my things packed and leave. The workmen even gave me a hand." Irene Clark, who lives directly across the road in Manse Street, claims the neighbours are worried. She said: "I just want to know that my house is not built on one of these pits - and most of the neighbours feel the same." Mary Sargent, who lives in adjoining Abbot Street, also claims to have suffered similar cracks to outside sewers as Mrs Miller over the years, and appealed to the council to check out the entire area. She explained: "From what I've heard, this whole area was built on the old tannery and some of the pits could still be down there. "If that's the case, it could account for a lot of the problems people in this area have had for years. "The whole area needs to be checked. It's better to be safe than sorry." A spokesman for South Ayrshire Coun­cil confirmed that the families have all been rehoused, and a structural engineer will carry out a thorough check of every house in Manse Street. He explained that a floor joist had dropped and a supporting wall was discovered crumbling by a coun­cil joiner. The building was then deemed dangerous by building control officers. He added: "Structu­ral engineers will examine the building and make the appropriate decision regarding work that needs done. Other blocks in Manse Street will be checked by structural engi­neers as a pre­caution." The spokesman urged other anxious residents to report their concerns to their local housing office.

A MAYBOLE man died after a dance event in Sheffield at the weekend. Rodger Thomson (26) was found slumped in the street outside the famous Republic nightclub. Paramedics tried to revive him, after being called to the scene just before 6am on Sunday. Rodger was taken to Sheffield's Northern General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. He had gone by coach to the Republic's `Gatecrasher' night, which attracts clubbers from all over the country. A friend had booked tickets on the Internet, and they paid £15 each for the eight-hour `rave'. Roger's mum Jessie told the Post this week that she and husband Ian couldn't take in what had happened to their son. A post mortem on Monday was `inconclusive', said police in Sheffield, adding that further tests would be carried out. And a police spokesman explained: "We are now awaiting toxicology reports to see whether it was a drugs overdose." Meanwhile, two 21-year-old men from Scotland have been arrested in connection with Rodger's death. Unemployed Rodger lived with his parents in Minnoch Crescent, and had saved up for the night out to cheer himself up.

A TIP-OFF from a Maybole man has led to the seizure of allegedly fake software. He had spent £200 on what were promoted as Microsoft items on an Internet auction site. But he was angry when the goods he received appeared to be counterfeit. And the Maybole man immediately alerted South Ayrshire Trading Standards officers. A team in Ayr worked in partnership with colleagues in Birmingham, and this led to a raid on premises where CDs and console games were allegedly being copied. Orders worth around £1,000 were in the house awaiting shipment, and a report is now being prepared for court. South Ayrshire Trading Standards manager David Thomson said: "This case highlights the problems this method of purchasing may present. "It shows a local consumer can be ripped off by someone operating from 300 miles away. "But it also shows that counterfeit traders - no matter where they are and how they operate - can still be found out and prosecuted." Mr Thomson added: "People may think it is OK to use home PCs to copy music, Playstation, DVDs and software programs - and that they can operate a business selling them through the anonymity of the Internet. "But this is NOT the case. "We have had successful prosecutions against people who live locally and who have made and sold counterfeit products from home. "In these cases, fines of £1,000 and sentences of 200 hours' community service were imposed, and the disks and computer systems were either wiped or destroyed." Mr Thomson continued: "Our consumer and business advice centre contains a wealth of pre-purchasing advice, as well as advice on buying on the Internet. "We also have information on our website at www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/south-ayrshire. "If anyone knows of illegal counterfeiting businesses, we would urge them to give us the information to stop unsuspecting consumers being ripped off. "We can be contac­ted in person at 5/7 River Terrace, Ayr; by calling 01292 616060; or e-mailing, in confidence, to tsweb@south-payrshire.gov.uk"

SPORTS sessions will be launched on Wednesday evening (February 13) at Maybole's Gardenrose Primary School. There will be girls' soccer from 6 to 7pm, aimed at the P4,5 & 6 age-group, at a cost of 50p per session. This will be followed by a women's keep fit class (7 to 8pm) aimed at beginners, at a cost of £1.25p per session. The classes will run for six weeks, and could be continued if there is enough support. They come as a result of meetings between Gardenrose Tenants and Residents Association and Councillor Alan Murray. The councillor also intends holding a monthly surgery at the school (7 to 8pm), and the first will coincide with the launch of the new classes. Said Councillor Murray: "We've had meetings that have been useful in identifying concerns of people who live in the area. "Concerns relate to housing matters, street cleaning, nuisance dogs, the appearance of the area and activities for young people and adults." He added: "We have been able to discuss them at our monthly meetings and begin to find solutions. "I hope that by continuing these meetings, and holding surgeries in the primary school, we will be able to keep improving things in the area in general."

MAYBOLE Pipe Band is this week in Sicily representing Scotland in an International Folklore Festival. And with the band are two members of the Aileen Rob­ertson School of Dance. Cheryll Campbell (19) from Crosshill and Laura Kerr (18) from Ayr are both university students. The band and dancers are per­forming in street parades, open-pair concerts and on stages of the local theatres and halls. A clash of dates meant the band had to abandon its annual trip to Germany for the Rhine­land carnivals. But it looks as if it will be in Germany later this year to play in a surprise event. The band has also been invited to represent Scotland in the Interceltica Festival, in Northern Spain in July. And a bigger contingent from the dance school will be availa­ble, as the event is during school holidays.

A MAYBOLE class continued its look at `Democracy and Decision-Making' with a special visit in the town. The P6/7 pupils of St Cuthbert's Primary went to the High Street offices of Maybole Community Development Group. The pupils asked plenty of questions about the group's role in trying to boost the town's profile and economy. They also used MCDG computers to research their school and town on websites. Mrs Kathleen Duffin's class has previously had a talk from South Ayrshire Council leader Councillor Andy Hill. And the class has also gone to the County Buildings in Ayr to meet council chief executive George Thorley.

LAWYER and ex-Provost of Irvine, Matt Brown gave the Immortal Memory toast at the Burns Supper held by the Carrick Speakers Club in Maybole. He traced the Bard's links with the Carrick area, and his huge contri­bution to preserving Lallans tongue. Peter Simpson chaired the evening with his customary panache, and college lecturer Cameron Bell, from Alloway, saluted the Lasses in hilarious style. The haggis was piped in by Tom Cook and addressed by Ian Hewitt at the supper held in Carrick Sports Club. Gordon Hennessy performed several classic poems, including Tam o' Shanter and Address to the Toothache. Musical interludes were by Sandy and Fiona, John Strachan and Billy Tait. Sandy and Fiona have unique sound, as they they are a guitar and cello duo. And Fiona broke down a Maybole barrier, as she is the first female ever present at this supper! Charlie Reid spoke for all in a vote of thanks which paid tribute to all who contri­buted to a memo­rable evening.