As part of “A Curriculum for Excellence” and to complement Maybole’s celebration of Robert Burns, P4-7 pupils at Cairn have been investigating, researching and enjoying activities relating to Maybole at the time of Burns. Last week they held an open morning for parents and special guests to showcase "Maybole At The Time Of Burns". Proudly on display was a fabulous virtual history tour of Maybole, made solely by the P7s, many wonderful wall displays, artefacts, videos, demonstrations and interactive resources. Obviously the children gained many skills and have taken a great pride in their home town. The morning was rounded off with the topical and hilarious "X-Factor At The Time of Burns."

Davie Hunter officially retired as chairman of the Maybole Branch of the Royal British Legion at the last annual general meeting. Last week, fellow members recognised Davie’s ten years’ service with a special framed certificate and a stationery set. The presentation was made by David Kiltie and he thanked Davie for all his efforts in revitalising the branch over the past decade, especially in the close cooperation established with the wider community and the community council. He reminded members that although Davie lived in Dailly now, he had been born in Maybole at the Wee Glen. He had moved to England at the beginning of the Second World and nearly evacuated to New Zealand. This had been cancelled and Davie was evacuated back to his grandmother’s in Maybole where he attended Cairn Primary and Carrick Academy. He returned to England but the family came back to Maybole just before VE Day in 1945.

Davie served with the Royal Scots Fusiliers and travelled all over Europe and was demobbed in 1957. He then worked as a miner before joining the Police. He has several Chief Constables’ commendations and a Royal Humane Society Parchment for Bravery. He was also involved with the Scout movement being awarded their Medal of Merit and Bar. He also holds the Guide Association’s Thanks Badge. Other awards include the Ayrshire Federation of Historical Society’s “John Strawhorn Quaich”; a Maybole Community Council medallion, and their Scroll of Appreciation.

Davie was also responsible for Dailly Miners Memorial, as well as information plaques at Old Dailly Church and at John Brown’s grave in Dailly churchyard. He also set up the original routes for the Dailly walks and the Neighbourhood Watch scheme in the village. Davie has authored various leaflets and booklets on local history. “You have had tour work recognised by so many organisations,” said Mr Kiltie, “and we just want to say ‘Thank you’ for all you have done in this branch.” Davie thanked his colleagues for their kind gesture saying, “I’m fair chuffed. It’s nice to be thanked, but it really has been a joint venture with you all.” He then paid tribute to George Taylor, branch secretary for all his help and knowledge.

Primary 7 Youth Club held a talent show and members were well entertained by a magician, singers and dancers. It was a great night and Fabulous Fraser the Magician deservedly took first place, winning an MP3 player. Fraser had spent lots of time rehearsing and his hard work was worth it as he entertained the crowd with a number of fantastic tricks. In second place was singer Kate and dancers Georgia and Heather were third. Everyone who took part received a prize and showed that the club has some great talent.

This year’s Carrick Sports Club Burns Supper was held in the Cub last week and the evening was chaired by Danny Baird from Tarbolton. Gavin Nicol piped in the haggis after the Chairman had welcomed the large audience. Ian Hewitt addressed the haggis in stirring style followed by the Selkirk Grace from Bill McCubbin. After an excellent meal the Immortal Memory was proposed by John Shirkie who painted a picture of the Bard’s life in the Mauchline area which was a most prolific period in his writing. His couthie style was much appreciated by his audience. Danny Baird also proposed the Toast to the Lassies in his own humorous fashion. Jim Hunter entertained with several recitations including Holy Willie’s Prayer and Tam o Shanter. Music and song was provided during the course of the evening by the Fiddlers Fae Ayr (Willie Samson, John Ross and Kenny Turner), the ever popular Davie Anderson, Alex Davidson and a pipes solo by Bryce McCulloch. Jim Miller spoke for everyone when he proposed a comprehensive vote of thanks to those who had made it a memorable Burns Supper.

The primary Seven Pupils of Cairn Primary hosted another fabulous Burns Supper on Thursday the 21st of February. The children were in charge of organising the event from the very beginning, making informed decisions, balancing a budget and preparing performances. The invited guests from St.Cuthberts Primary School and local dignitaries were entertained by a very confident and resourceful Chairperson- Shannon Andrew The haggis was addressed by Heather Dowie. The Selkirk Grace was recited by Iona Barrie. The Immortal Memory was researched, written and delivered by Georgia Wallace and Morgan Hetherington. Kenneth Tweedie wrote a very cheeky Address to the Lassies Which was replied to from Anndi Clark who got her own back, especially her teacher, Mr Black. The school was once again fortunate enough to have all the piping performed by Louise Allan, a third year student from Carrick Academy. Nathen Bell from Primary six of Cairn read a heart warming thank you. Mr Welsh led all Cairn pupils in a samba extravaganza to accompany Louise on the pipes, it was fantastic and impressed the guests. Chloe Mackie led the procession of the haggis with Hayley McCrorie dressed as Poosie Nancy. Primary seven would like to thank Rosebank Stores, Nissa Stores and J.R. Watkins the Butchers for their generous contributions to their Burns Supper, and highly recommend using these local shops.

Two weeks ago Maybole Community Association appealed for financial assistance to be able to hold this year’s Gala. Chairman Alan Reid had told us that gala events were facing being cancelled if the association couldn’t find sponsorship or grants. Last week, Scottish Power Renewables came to the rescue.

Martin Mathers, Community Relations Manager with Scottish Power Renewables, attended a meeting with the Association’s committee and offered £2,000 for gala costs. Mr Mathers also took the opportunity to explain the community benefit which would be available if the windfarms proposed get approval. “For every megawatt of developed wind in South Ayrshire,” he said, “a community benefit of £2000 will be paid annually (index linked) for 25 years. The first payment will be at the start of construction. “For Dersalloch, at a proposed 60MW, this would therefore be up to £120,000 per annum, I say up to because until we get on site we cannot be sure that every turbine is viable. “This will be distributed to the most directly affected communities by a formula to be agreed between Scottish Power Renewables and the communities, with advice from South Ayrshire Council.” Mr Mathers went on, “In addition, there will further fund of £50k per year (index linked), funded jointly by the two SPR windfarms (Dersalloch and Arecleoch) for all communities in Carrick. This to be administered jointly by SPR, SAC and Carrick Community Councils Forum. “The total package for Carrick (assuming both Dersalloch and Arecleoch get full consent) would be up to £470,000 per annum index linked for 25 years- or £11.75 million at current value.” He added that this was what his company was proposing; South Ayrshire Council has not yet responded, but he would be meeting them in a couple of weeks.

Alan Reid, chair of Maybole Community Association replied, “I`d like to thank Martin Mathers and Scottish Power Renewables for the generous donation which ensures Maybole Gala Week’s festivities can continue. The Gala is a focal point for the community, and it would have been a pity for this event to cease due to a lack of funding. The support provided will enable us to start planning and organising as normal and we hope this year’s events will be more diverse than normal.” He went on, “I`d appeal to anyone who is interested in parading or taking part to contact June Dunlop, our secretary. “We would like to have as much music as possible this year – the theme will be “musicals” - so if we have any budding groups looking for a stage to perform, this may be their chance.”

Cathy Jamieson MSP welcomed the positive attitude of the Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson MSP, following a meeting at Holyrood with the bypass campaigners. Peter Mason, Chair of Maybole Community Council and the Maybole Bypass Committee, attended the meeting organised by Cathy Jamieson, along with bypass campaign colleagues Helen Whitefield and Bill McCubbin. The Minister outlined the process which will see the Scottish Government set its transport priorities for the coming years. At the meeting, he said he will publish his list of priority transport projects by late summer 2008.

Following the meeting, Ms Jamieson said: "I welcome the Transport Minister's positive attitude. I think this was a very helpful meeting, which allowed him to learn first-hand the problems faced by Maybole residents on a daily basis. "He made it clear that he wouldn't be making a decision on Scotland's strategic transport priorities until later in the summer, but he re-affirmed the commitment to include the Maybole bypass on the list of projects that will be considered. "The local community continues to support the bypass campaign and it has the backing of politicians from all parties. I will be continuing to work with the bypass campaigners over the coming months and we all want to see the Maybole bypass featuring in the Scottish Government's list of transport priorities later this year." MSP Adam Ingram said on Friday that he has sent a brief to the Transport Minister on the background of Maybole's 50-year campaign to save its residents and pedestrians from the constant assault of motorway-style traffic that has turned the town centre into a noisy, dangerous obstacle course.

Mr Ingram praised the community for doing everything they could and thinks the chances of securing the long-awaited bypass are better than ever. He said: "I am hopeful we can now get the result everyone is looking for." Peter Mason, Chair of the Maybole Bypass Committee, said: "I'd like to thank the Transport Minister for listening to what we had to say about the problems in Maybole. The people of Maybole have been talking about and campaigning for a bypass for more than 50 years. "Now, we have a preferred route and it's priced realistically. The Transport Minister recognised this and we made it clear to him that we want to see a bypass for Maybole on the list of projects he publishes later in the year." Until a decision is reached, the bypass committee will continue to engage with the community so people are fully informed about the preferred route and to answer any questions they might have. A public consultation event is scheduled to take place in Maybole Town Hall on 22nd and 23rd February and organisers hope that Maybole residents will take time to come and see the plans for themselves.

Bypass gets a big thumbs-up ONLY one person who attended a special Maybole display thinks the town DOESN’T need a bypass. But just about everyone else believes it’s an absolute essential. That was feedback from a two-day Town Hall display. A total of 339 people visited the exhibition, open four hours each day. And of 190 who completed a questionnaire, 189 said Maybole needed a bypass. Comments included everything from good luck and the sooner the better to this is required before there is a major disaster in the town.

Maybole Bypass Committee chairman Peter Mason said he was delighted by the turn-out to the display. The committee wanted to show townspeople possible routes which emerged following a survey. Consultants Atkins were there with maps for people to study, as was a representative from Transport Scotland. Some of the routes start on the Minishant side of the Smithston railway bridge, which existing A77 traffic twists under. And these would remove this notorious accident blackspot. The preferred option goes above the town. And its two big advantages are: getting rid of the Smithston blackspot; and not having to cross the railway at any point. However it would have to cross both the Alloway and Culzean roads, before coming out on the south side of Maybole. The route is virtually the same as one suggested by the old Strathclyde Region around 20 years ago. And it is likely to command most support in the town.

Superintendent John Hazlett, who has specialist knowledge of traffic matters, opened the Maybole exhibition. MSPs Cathy Jamieson and Adam Ingram both attended as did local councillors Brian Connolly and Mhairi Low. Peter Mason said: “There is overwhelming support for a Maybole bypass. “Now we have to wait for an announcement this summer to get the political go-ahead.” Mr Mason hopes and believes this will be forthcoming, after years of campaigning. He said: “We had the DVD made by Carrick Academy pupils playing continuously during the display. “Primary school pupils and pensioners’ groups also turned out, in poor weather, to underline almost unanimous support for a bypass.” Mr Mason said Maybole Community Council and other groups are already planning the signs and infrastructure to regenerate the town, if and when a bypass is built. He said: “There will be greater opportunities available in a less-congested town. And we aim to make sure a bypass is a boost for tourism and commerce, as well as for safety.”

(Story from Carrick Today February 14, 2008). A MASSIVE explosion plunged a huge swathe of Carrick into darkness last week. Residents in Maybole told how houses shook and the sky lit up in a dramatic display that could be seen for miles around. The town was rocked by the blast, which blacked out 4,000 homes and firms in Maybole and surrounding villages. This week, worried mum Gillian Henderson relived the night thatthe pole-mounted circuit-breaker exploded in her garden.

She said: "My wee son got pulled out of bed and I was screaming because I thought the whole house was gonna go. He kept saying, 'Big fire, Mum!' The sparks were hitting the windows and all over the decking at the back. It shook us all up." Gillian described how the drama started. She said: "We were sitting watching television when I saw a blue flash at the patio doors. I went outside to look but I couldn't see anything - then about five minutes later I went to check on my wee boy. "Suddenly my husband shouted me to say the box on the poles was sparking. By the time I got to the patio door to look at it there were blue flashes coming off it - then we saw smoke and flames. "So I just ran through to get my wee boy and, by the time I got to his bed seconds later, the whole thing had blown up. We were still in the house at the time."

When the Hendersons reached the front door of their house all the lights had gone out - not just in their home, but across the whole town. Gillian said: "We went to the back to check again that there was no fire. By this time a few neighbours had arrived at the door to check we were OK." The neighbours had already phoned the fire brigade. Gillian said: "They came and checked the flames were out and advised us to stay indoors. They checked there were no wires down. Then we stayed in the house after that and the fire brigade said it was all out and there was nothing left to do. "Then we started phoning ScottishPower. They had told the police it was now safe and the electricity had been cut off, so the wires weren't live. "But my husband phoned them constantly to get someone to come and see us and explain what happened and confirm it was safe. They said there was no one available to speak to us." The incident occurred at McAdam Way at 11:20pm last Saturday.

At 4:00 am, the Hendersons were still awake when the ScottishPower engineer came. Gillian said: "He told us there was a powder in the box and when it was exposed the powder got everywhere. "He told us not to go out of the back door because if water hits this powder it turns acidic. And obviously that would be quite dangerous for us. He told us someone had to come from Perth to check it is safe in the garden where the powder fell." Gillian was concerned that ScottishPower had not volunteered this information over the phone. She said: "If we hadn't asked them to come see us we wouldn't have known about it. They tested it and sprayed parts of the garden and said it was fine." But she was worried about their pet rabbit, which was nearest to the blast. Gillian said: "His hutch was covered in debris, and his whiskers look singed. He's been to the vet with a swollen mouth and his hearing seems affected. It was such a loud blast." The Hendersons are thankful that the box has now been removed and have been reassured by ScottishPower that it will not be put back in their garden. Gillian said the company told her they do not know how the house was built so close to the poles in the first place. She added: "It doesn't bear thinking about what might have happened." On the night of the blast, Tommy Truesdale and the Sundowners had to stop their performance early at the Carrick Sports Club. Police, ambulance and three fire brigades - from Maybole, Ayr and Girvan - were soon on the scene.

The blackout was the main subject of discussion at a community council meeting last Tuesday night attended by John Hamilton, Community Policing Sergeant for Carrick. Sgt Hamilton said: "We were satisfied with ScottishPower's explanation that it was a technical issue and are not treating it as suspicious." The community council have invited ScottishPower to their next meeting to discuss the matter. According to the power supplier, the incident was caused by the failure of a pole-mounted circuit breaker. Jane Holmes, Media Relations Manager, said: "Normally, a faulty circuit-breaker would make a loud bang and blow the circuits at the top of pole. It's a safety mechanism to make sure no supply gets through the lines. "We had about 4000 customers off supply. Some 35 had the power back on by 2:30 am and the other 500 were put back on at various stages throughout Sunday, with the last going on at 4:30pm. Reacting to reports that local people thought it was like Armageddon, Ms Holmes replied: "We would just say it was a fault in the overhead network and apologise for any inconvenience."

MONEY MAKERS: The Carrick Academy team who rose to the challenge in Glasgow. Pupils play the stock exchange IT WAS a chance to experience Wall Street excitement for Carrick Academy team who took part in the Stock Market Challenge. And the Carrick team finished an excellent fourth out of 25 schools from the south-west who competed. Carrick’s S3 team, Jamie Ireland, Shannyn Henderson, Anne McMillan, Connie Paton, Cameron White, became stock market traders for the day. Cameron said: “I study accounting, so I thought it would be really interesting to see how the stock market actually works. “It was really good and there’s a lot more involved than I thought. “You need to watch the news alerts and decide whether to buy or sell the shares you’ve got, based on what they say. But you need to be fast.” The event for south-west schools, held in Glasgow's Mitchell Library, was sponsored by BNP Paribas Securities Services. National careers advice organisation Careers Scotland and Scottish Investment Operations supported the event. It re-created the atmosphere of a live stock trading floor as would have been experienced by brokers before share trading was done with computers.

Last Sunday the 1st Maybole Brownies joined the parish community of Our Lady & St Cuthbert's to mark Thinking Day. Thinking Day is celebrated by members of the Guide movement throughout the world in February and at the church services close to that day the Brownies and Guides renew their Guiding Promise: "I promise that I will do my best, to love my God, to serve the Queen and my country, to help other people and to keep the Guide Law." During the parish celebration of Mass at 9.30 am, many ladies in the congregation who were members of the Guide movement or Trefoil Guild also stood up with the Brownies and renewed the promise with them. The readings of the Mass spoke about the importance of water for life and the living water that Jesus gives for eternal life. Fr Stephen McGrattan spoke to the Brownies about feeling thirsty after exercise or warm weather and how important it is that we replace the water we lose by sweating for our bodies to work properly. He then went on to speak about how the living water Jesus gives us is God's love. When we share that love with others it is like sweating that love out and we need to go back to Jesus to get more love so that our love is always strong and healthy. Jesus' love will never run out and he always asks us to go back and drink in more of it. The Brownies are photographed with Brown Owl, Senga Fergusson, Tawny Owl, Maureen Craig, ladies from the Trefoil Guild and Fr Stephen McGrattan.

IT WAS party time in Maybole when Alec and Jeanette Whitefield celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary in Carrick Sports Club. The happy couple, married in the minister’s manse in Culzean Road by Rev Douglas in 1958, were joined by their family for the big bash. The great gathering featured daughter Margaret Anne, four grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Elvis was King when Alec and Jeanette wed, but it was also the year he was drafted into the US Army. It was also the year of the Munich air disaster, with seven Busby Babes were killed, as well as eight journalists covering Manchester United. On a lighter note, Bubble Cars from Germany caused a sensation at the London Motor Show. Biggest hits of the year were: Who’s Sorry Now, Connie Francis; All I Have To Do Is Dream, the Everly Brothers; and Magic Moments, Perry Como.

MORE than 100 pensioners attended the annual OAP dinner in Maybole Town Hall. Guests of honour were Provost Winnie Sloan, Sandra Osborne MP and councillors Brian Connolly, Sandra Goldie, Ann Galbraith and Mairi Low. Cathy Jamieson MSP also dropped by, but couldn’t stay for the three-course dinner, due to a prior engagement. Alex Kelly of Maybole OAP Association welcomed everyone, and acted as event MC. After-dinner entertainment was from singer Weir Marshall and accordionist Raymond Carse. Raymond also did some magic tricks, with Provost Sloan a willing helper on the stage. OAP chairman Pearl Barton said: “It was another great event, and we’re grateful to the police for giving us a donation from a special fund. “Thanks also to our local Somerfield, Station Stores, and the butcher’s shop for donations.” Pearl also thanked hallkeeper Eddie Glass and caterers Mrs McCulloch and her staff. The event featured a huge raffle, with prizes donated by individuals and businesses. Maybole OAP Association is leasing Maybole Charity Shop from March 7 to 14. All donations of clothes, bric-a-brac and books will be gratefully received.