At last, Maybole has a fitting tribute to
Robert Burns available for public viewing. On
Monday January 25, the 251st anniversary
of the poet’s birth, Provost Winifred Sloan unveiled
a hand carved marble bust in its permanent position
in the foyer of Maybole Town Hall.
The life size bust was created by
sculptor David Cornell and is the first major piece
to be produced in over 120 years. The bust is a
unique work of art which is inevitable in hand
carving as no two pieces can ever be exactly the
same. Commissioned by Maybole Community Council,
with funding from Homecoming Scotland and South
Ayrshire Council, it was first seen on display when
it was unveiled by Provost Winifred Sloan and John
Cairney on 30th October, 2009. Now it is in its
rightful place where it can be seen by everyone.
To mark the occasion, Maybole’s
four schools put on a Burns Day concert in the Town
Hall prior to the unveiling and as well as the
provost an unexpected visitor was Angus Middleton,
former President of the Robert Burns World
Federation. The concert was compered by David Kiltie
and he introduced the young pupils taking part.
The full programme was:
Highland Fling - Courtney Blane,
Kourtney Hughes, Xsara Meiklem, Zoe Clark, Jodie
Cooper, and Sophie Lawrie (Gardenrose Primary)
Extract from Tam o’ Shanter - Amy
Graham (Cairn Primary)
Ye banks and Braes - Jacqui
Gibson & Caitlin Barrie (Gardenrose Primary)
A Scottish Medley – Pipers Euan
Andrew, Scott Barrie and William Limond (Carrick
Academy)
Poem ‘A Dug, a dug!’ - Ruth Dowie,
and Rebecca McCoy (Cairn Primary)
Songs ‘The Deil’s Awa’ and ‘There
was a Lad’ - St Cuthbert’s Choir
Extract from Tam o’ Shanter -
James McAulay (Gardenrose Primary)
Highland Dancing - Emily Maxwell
(Cairn Primary)
Songs ‘Caledonia’ and ‘Loch
Lomond’ - Carrick Academy Choir
Mr Kiltie said, “We are unveiling
a marble bust of Robert Burns as a lasting legacy of
the fact that it was in Maybole that his parents,
Agnes Broun and William Burnes, first met at a
market fair in 1756 and were married in a Maybole
church on 15th December, 1757.”
He continued, “The town played a
significant role in The Year of Homecoming marking
the 250th anniversary of the birth of Burns. All
four Maybole schools were keen to be involved in our
celebrations throughout 2009 and I really believe we
have a unique partnership between the community and
our schools - something really worth nurturing.
“We would like to thank all staff
and pupils at all our schools.” He also thanked
everyone who had assisted the organising committee
and all who had take part in the events; and then
invited Provost Sloan to present Scrolls of
Appreciation to the four head teachers Keith
Webster, Carrick Academy; Fiona McDougall, Cairn;
Mary Scott, Gardenrose; and Gemma Rooney, St
Cuthbert’s.
Pearl Barton presented a basket
of flowers to Provost Sloan and Peter Mason thanked
Mr Kiltie for all he had done to ensure the success
of the almost year long celebrations. Afterwards, Mr
Mason added, “The Homecoming Year has come to an end
and Maybole people can be proud of everything they
have done to support this event.
“We have had an ambassador visit
the town, we have had the famous actor John Cairney
here, The MacDonald Brothers, The Red Hot Chilli
pipers, and most importantly we have a legacy for
the town in the form of the bust of Burns which is
now in place in foyer of the town hall. “The
citizens of this small town can be truly proud - be
it in organising events, or supporting them. None of
the above could have been done anywhere else. “Give
your self a big pat on the back, Maybole “
No wonder these local
volunteers have smiles on their faces as they start
2010. They are members of Carrick Centre Ltd and after
chairman Bill Miller wished them a traditional “Happy
New Year” they were given good reason for believing that
2010 will be a very happy year. Mr Miller went on to
tell them that planning permission has been granted for
their project to build community facilities at
Greenside, Maybole, which will include a new Maybole
Parish Church.
At the first meeting of the new decade held on Wednesday
January 13 the group members were also told that their
architect Raymond Angus is in advanced discussions with
the chosen builder.
Detailed plans have now been lodged with South Ayrshire
Council and no more hitches are anticipated as funding
is in place for the first two phases of the project.
This will be the biggest single building project in
Maybole for many year and Mr Miller was hopeful that
building could start in the summer of this year with
completion perhaps a year later in mid 2011.
Plans for a new church in Maybole were first announced
in 2001 when the two Church of Scotland congregations in
Maybole voted to unite. Services of union were held in
2003 to officially link Maybole West Church with Maybole
Old and the official launch of Maybole New Church
Project was held later that year.
The two churches were officially closed in 2005 and a
“community advisory management committee” to Maybole New
Church Project was formed in 2007. This developed into
Carrick Centre Ltd which is the group which will manage
the new facilities when the building opens.
SPT’s NEW HYBRID MOBILE TRAVEL
CENTRE VISITS MAYBOLE
SPT Chair Councillor Alistair Watson today
(Wednesday 13 January) launched the new hybrid
diesel electric Strathclyde Partnership for
Transport (SPT) Mobile Travel Centre during its
first visit to Maybole.
The vehicle is owned and operated by SPT. It is the
first of its kind in the UK and demonstrates the
organisation’s commitment to leading the way in
hybrid bus technology. SPT anticipates 33% fuel
savings and carbon dioxide emissions down by at
least a third. Launching the eye-catching new diesel
hybrid vehicle today, Councillor Watson said: “This
new vehicle is the first of its kind in the UK. SPT
is proud to lead the way for hybrid bus technology
through this exciting initiative.
“When devising the specification, we worked hard to
ensure the vehicle is as green as possible with
optimum fuel efficiency and a minimum carbon
footprint. We hope commercial operators will be
encouraged to trial this type of vehicle. “It is
fitted with high-speed broadband internet access to
provide online timetables. It is also smartcard
ready for the future roll-out of electronic ticket
sales.”
Built around an Optare Solo bus chassis, the new
£205,000 Mobile Travel Centre is powered by diesel
hybrid technology. This means that while it still
has a diesel engine, this is only used to charge the
electric batteries that drive the vehicle. The
batteries are also used to provide power within the
vehicle, making electrical appliances such as
computers and TVs self-sufficient. Solar panels in
the roof provide power for the vehicle’s interior
lighting.
Ferrymill Motors, the
Torrance based coachbuilders custom built the hybrid
travel centre’s interior on behalf of SPT and ran
design competition for the vehicle’s artwork.
Visual Communication student Cheryl Wills from
Anniesland College in Glasgow came up with the
winning design to emphasise the vehicle’s
eco-friendly credentials and reduced carbon
footprint.
Councillor Watson
added:”We’re delighted with Cheryl’s design which
highlights the carbon reduction benefits of our new
ground breaking travel centre. Thanks to her
efforts, the new Mobile Travel Centre looks
fantastic inside and out.” The Mobile Travel Centre
is one of SPT’s most popular initiatives and is an
important means of providing remote communities with
access to public transport information. The new
vehicle is smaller and more adaptable for easier
access to remote rural communities. It is
low-floored to better suit wheelchair users, those
with impaired mobility and prams.
The Annual
Installation of Lodge St.john Maybole No 11, was
held on 8th January 2010. Right Worshipful
Master Bro.William Cuthbert was Installed by
Bro. David Anderson and Bro. Hugh Mundell, both
Past Masters of No. 11. This is the second time
that Bro. Cuthbert has served the lodge as RWM,
the first time being in 1992.
A good number of
visitors were received despite the bad weather.
Depute Provincial
Grand Master Bro. Robert Little headed a large
deputation from the Provincial Grand Lodge of
Ayrshire with the RWPGM Bro. Archie Chalmers
also in attendance. After the ceremony, the
brethren enjoyed a splendid meal and spent a few
hours in harmony together with entertainment
provided by Bro. David Anderson on guitar.
Holocaust Memorial Day is
the international day of remembrance for the victims of the
Holocaust and of other genocides and is marked each year on
January 27, the anniversary of the date of the liberation of
Nazi death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. Last Wednesday, January
27, marked the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the
camps and, as in previous years, Maybole Branch of the Royal
British Legion Scotland organised a special service at the
Greenside at 11am.
This was led by Fr Stephen
McGrattan, branch chaplain, and marshalled by Alex Davidson. Piper Scott Barrie played
the lament and George Taylor and Janetta Rodger laid wreaths
on behalf of the Legion. Standard bearers were Alex Mills
and Mark McEwan. Poppy crosses were laid by members of the
Legion, pupils from all local schools and members of the
public.
Fr McGrattan said, “On
this day, the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is challenging
everyone across the UK to become part of a ‘Legacy of Hope’. “Today we pause to reflect
on what can happen when racism, prejudice and exclusionary
behaviour are left unchecked. We remember the victims and
honour the survivors of state sponsored hatred in
Nazi-occupied Europe, in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
“During this short service
of remembrance, we take the time to see how the lessons of
the past can play a part in our communities today. We also
pledge to make a stand – that the atrocities of the past
should not happen again and we renew our commitment to
tackle hatred and exclusion head on in order to create a
safer, better future for us all.
“The challenge on this Holocaust Memorial Day
is for us to become part of a ‘Legacy of Hope’. People of
hope have the conviction that, within us and in our world,
we have been created for good. And, although at times, there
is a dark absence of love, by standing firm against
injustice, slavery, exclusion, false judgment, and idolatry
(including idolatry of self) our legacy will plant seeds of
hope for the future.”
Carrick Academy Rugby and Football section are delighted to
announce that they have once again been successful in
gaining financial support from the lottery’s Awards for All
organisation. The section received £10,000 to help with the
running costs of one of the biggest rugby and football
school sections in Scotland. The money will help in four key
areas, transport, equipment, strips and coaching costs. One
of the most exciting parts of the bid was that the money
will help to fund two SVQ rugby students for Carrick Academy
next season.
These boys will work in the
school for around 20 hours a week and deliver rugby not just
in Carrick Academy but also in the local cluster primary
schools. It is hoped that Carrick may even be able to field
a cluster primary 7 team next season. Mr Brown said: “ We
cannot thank Awards for All enough for backing us again. The
rugby and football teams are now a huge part of the Carrick
experience. This money will allow us to have the very best
coaching and equipment in place for our young people. We are
very lucky to have great facilities with the 3G pitch and
rugby pitch in the school grounds and this is just the icing
on the cake. “ The rugby section has also just received the
news that they have once again been awarded the Gold Award
for Rugby Development. Few schools in Scotland have won this
award once never mind twice and it is just rewards for all
the efforts that the pupils, coaches, parents and staff put
into running such a big section.
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