|
Recently,
Cathy Jamieson MSP visited Maybole Castle to hear about new
proposals for the 450 year old building. She was accompanied by
Patricia Ferguson MSP who is the Scottish Minister for Tourism,
Culture and Sport. They met with Councillors Alan Murray and Brian
Connolly; David Kiltie, chairman of Maybole Community; Peter Walker
of Maybole Resource Centre; Chris Savage of Cassillis & Culzean
Estate; Dave Killicoat of Maybole Historical Society and others.
Proposed plans for the possibility
of the Castle being taken over by a group of local organisations and
potential activities were outlined and the amount of finance
required if the project had any chance of succeeding. These included
a heritage centre, tourist information, an Arts & Craft Studio, an
education resource, an 18th Century Garden, maintenance of castle
and and grounds, a family history resource, a natural history
centre, a café, and the ability to hold functions such as weddings.
Plans also included the possibility of May-Tag Ltd moving back in to
the castle where it was based for many years. The company would also
be looking at plans for projects including community woodland,
Composting, woodchip production and a recycling project.
Next year is the 250th
anniversary of the marriage of Robert Burns’ parents in Maybole and
plans for a year long festival were also put to the Minister. These
included the Jean Falconer Literary Award having a Burns Theme; the
re-enactment of the Tam O’Shanter ride; a Maybole Market and Fair;
the annual Gala Quiz with a specific Burns and Scottish theme; the
Gala Pet Show with special prizes for the pets from Burn’s poems;
the Gala Parade and Gala featuring the meeting of William Burness
and Agnes Brown; a grand concert featuring the music of Burns;
re-enactment of the wedding of Burns’ parents; and a final
ecumenical service celebrating Burns’ life.
The Minister also heard of a new
town Guide being planned, the publication of a book of photographs
of Maybole during World War II, a town enhancement scheme, the town
twinning walking tour, and plans for a Young Roots application for
funding for a project to interest young people in their heritage.
Allan and Mary McLean
are familiar faces to lots of Maybole people even although they live
in England now. The couple recently celebrated their Golden Wedding
in Meden Vale Miners Welfare Club near Mansfield Nottinghamshire.
Allan and Mary were married in Maybole Town Hall on July 6, 1956,
three days after the Queen visited the town hall, so the place was
redecorated for the wedding! It was also the same year that actress
Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III of Monaco.
Mary, who is the eldest of the Rodgers family, was
formerly of Bryants Close, then Whitefaulds Avenue and was a nurse
for twenty years before meeting Allan, a Cumnock miner. They moved
to the Mansfield area when the Barony closed down. Allan says the
reason for getting married in the town hall was that you could not
get married in the parish church after 3.30pm but as they had lots
of guests who worked till 5pm they decided to use the town hall and
had high tea provided by the Co-op.
At their Golden Wedding celebrations there were 150
guests, including most of Mary’s and Allan’s brothers and sisters
from all over Scotland and England. Both are doing well and Allan
has just retired as a magistrate and councillor after thirty years.
They visit Maybole at least twice a year to meet old acquaintances
and there favourite place is the Speakers Club where they say there
are many friendly people.
CIVIC PRIDE IN ACTION - MAYBOLE Local
residents in Maybole generously gave up some of their leisure time
to get together and tidy garden areas in Dailly Road and Miller
Terrace in Maybole. The willing volunteers, who included people of
all ages, spent Sunday helping neighbours dispose of litter and
unwanted household items. A number of South Ayrshire Council staff
worked with the local residents including Community Support Officers
who work in that area, Housing Staff and members of the Regeneration
Team.
Everyone involved in the cleanup
was provided with safety equipment such as protective gloves and
litter pickers. Councillor Arthur Spurling, Vice Convener of the
Council’s Social Justice Committee said: “The majority of people
dispose of litter and household goods appropriately, however, the
acts of a few thoughtless people can soon ruin the look of an area.
“This initiative clearly demonstrates what great results can be
achieved when residents and Officers of the Council work hand in
glove on a project. I would like to thank everyone who gave up their
spare time to take part and make such a difference.” Community
Support Officers provided refreshments after the work was completed,
which provided another opportunity for residents in the area,
especially new ones, to take part in a community get together.
Keen to
highlight the importance of disposing of large household items
correctly, and in an effort to reduce fly tipping, leaflets were
issued to all households advising them of the Council’s Special
Uplift service. The Special Uplift Service is available free to all
households in South Ayrshire on five occasions each year. Any
resident who has items to dispose of should telephone Council staff
on telephone number 08457 697520 and arrangements will be made to
uplift the items. As a way of saying thank you to residents who took
part a free raffle was organised for participants. The Carrick Crime
Prevention Panel, the Council’s Regeneration Team and Maybole
Housing Office donated prizes. ENDS FROM: Cheryl Downie, Public
Communications Officer E-mail: Cheryl.Downie@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
Tel: 01292 612173 Mobile: 07977115607 Out of Hours Mobile:
07974174231
Maybole
Memorial Park Bowling Club recently held their invitation rinks,
which was won by Alex Kelly, Chic Kincaid, Janette Kincaid of the
club. and Jimmy Miller from Crossbill BC. Chic and Janette
also won the club’s Open mixed pairs and are pictured with vice
president Gerry Kelly presenting the trophy. The club held an 80th
birthday party for Gerry who was delighted to have a large number of
his family come up from England for the occasion. Rather than people
buying presents for him, Gerry requested that a donation be made for
the Ayrshire Hospice and £320 was raised on the night.
Maybole and District Committee for
Cancer Research UK would like to thank everyone who donated to the
recent house to house collection. The sum of £2,209.73 was raised
and a spokesman said, “This is a tribute to the continuing
generosity of all concerned.” |
