Maybole Historical Society is putting on several exhibitions in Maybole Castle as part of the “Robert Burns – where it began” events in the town. The main events commemorate the meeting and marriage in Maybole of the Bard’s parents, William Burnes and Agnes Broun. Already there has been a very successful Market Fair and the annual gala took on a Burns’ theme, both of which attracted a great response from the community.

The Historical Society’s first exhibition, of local embroidery and whitework, in June attracted more than 200 visitors. Currently, the exhibition running is “Auld Maybole, photographs, artefacts and stories”. The exhibition is open on Tuesday 17th July from 6pm till 9pm, on Saturday 21st July from 10am to 1pm and on Sunday 29th July from 2pm till 4.30pm.

Further exhibitions are planned in August and September. In August the theme will be traditional basket weaving in Burns’ times and in September, in conjunction with Ayrshire Archives, the Historical Society plan an inaugural exhibition entitled Maybole – Story of a Burgh”. Mrs Helen McAdam, chair of the Historical Society, commented that she has been very happy with responses to the exhibitions and their contribution to heritage awareness in the local community.

Sunday 22nd July dawned bright and sunny, for which parishioners of Our Lady and St. Cuthbert's breathed a sigh of relief. This was the day earmarked for a parish scavenger hunt and barbeque in the Church gardens, and given recent poor weather, the sunshine was a real blessing. The hunt began at 4.30pm when around thirty hopefuls set off armed with clues. By 5.30pm the place was abuzz with excitement as the participants returned with results. Joint winners were the Campell and Roy families. Afterwards everyone sat down in the back garden of the Church to enjoy a well deserved barbeque, supplied by the Round Table. The good weather helped the festive atmosphere and the children were able to play games on the lawn. Afterwards as the evening got cooler, people repaired to the Church hall for a sing song. A great evening of socializing and laughter for young and not so young ended around 10.30pm. Fr. Stephen McGrattan said that the evening had met all his expectations bringing people together socially and contributing greatly to parish vitality.

On Sunday 22nd July Mrs. Margaret Murray celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends at Fairknowe Nursing Home in Maybole. As head teacher for many years at St. Cuthbert’s until she retired in 1978, Margaret is a well known and much respected person in the town. Now seldom able to get out and about, she was delighted that so many family members and parishioners of Our Lady & St. Cuthbert’s Church, many of whom she had taught, were with her to mark the occasion. Celebrations began with Mass presided over by Fr. Stephen McGrattan who opened by congratulating Margaret on a life of service to the local community. This was a special part of the day for Margaret as she has been unable to get to Church for some time. Staff at Fairknowe laid on a magnificent buffet, the centerpiece of which was a 90th birthday cake which Margaret cut to general applause. Needless to say there were many stories of former school days circulating and Margaret listened to them and joined in with her own well appreciated dry humour. The occasion was a fitting tribute to a remarkable woman whom her pupils have never forgotten and who is still very much a part of the local community. For other details about Margaret see her profile on this site.

Arlene Wallace of Maybole would like to thank everyone who sponsored, supported and encouraged her in the Cancer Research Race for Life at Ayr Racecourse a few weeks ago. It was the first time Arlene had ever attempted anything like this and told us, "I was overwhelmed by the support I received from family, friends and work colleagues. Although I hadn't done any running previous to this I am now a keen runner and have entered a Cancer Research 10k run which is taking place in Strathclyde Country Park in October this year." Arlene is pictured with her friend Sally Watson, left, (from Auchinwynd) who took part along with her. The picture was taken just after they finished the race hence the big smiles and red faces! Sally, too, is grateful for the support and sponsorship she received from her friends, family and work colleagues and is planning to take part in the 10k as well. Between the two of us they have raised almost £300 for Cancer Research and this figure was well over the target they set for themselves ourselves.

Kind hearted residents of Crosne Street sheltered housing unit in Maybole raised a grand total of £617.68 for the Ayrshire Hospice at their rect Tea @ 3. Last week, Mrs Nell Samson presented a cheque to Lyn Bateman, Hospice Fundraiser, and said the residents had a great time raising the money especially when local minister Dave Whiteman appeared dressed as Goldilocks!  "How I would like to see him dressed like that in his pulpit," Mrs Samson added.  She thanked everyone who had helped raise the monay and said, "Most of us do contribute to the hospice on a weekly basis through its lottery; we do steadily give to the hospice."  Lyn thanked Mrs Samson and all the residents and others who had contributed saying, "This is a lot of money and we do appreciate your efforts; thank you all very much."

When Gerry Kelly decided to celebrate his 81st birthday recently he told everyone invited to the party that he did not want any presents. Instead he said they could donate some money to charity and last week Gerry presented a cheque for £200 to Louis Jardine of the Ayrshire Hospice. Maybole Memorial Park Bowling Park's Open Mixed Pairs competition was won by Stephen and Amy Carlyle of Memorial Park Bowling Club. Presenting the trophy is club president Gerry Kelly and sponsors John and Lillian McMillian of L & T Decor, Dalblair Road, Ayr. Runners up were John and Margaret Nisbet of Craigie Bowling Club.

The P7s leaving Cairn Primary this year were the very first nursery class when Cairn Nursery opened up. Because of this, in the last few days before leaving the school they had an afternoon of going back to the nursery, playing with the children, having snack time and playing party games with the wee ones! The P6 and P7 girls did a dance show for everyone during the games in the afternoon. They all had great time. Afterwards the 7s went back totheir own room for a 'garden picnic', having had the feast of sandwiches, cakes, crisps, juice and salad prepared for them by the P6s from the P7/6 composite class, along with class teacher Mr Black. Salad had been grown by the children themselves, along with herbs as part of their plants and growth topic. It was all absolutely delicious!

The children thoroughly enjoyed one last chance at 'being wee' again! Cairn Primary were absolutely delighted to have all their P7s achieve their Junior Achievement awards this year! They all attended after school talks and lessons, involving most of the Emergency Services, and school health visitor, Mary Jeans, who did a HeartStart module with the children. All the pupils received their certificate in Heartstart too! This year Cairn were delighted to involve another local school in the Award scheme classes, with three of St Cuthbert’s pupils joined them each week for lots of fun. P7 teacher Mr Black, and the school's Junior Achievement Awards co-ordinator, Mrs Owens, Principal Teacher, were very proud of the efforts of all the pupils involved!

At July’s Maybole Community Council meeting a short presentation was given by the Carrick LETS (Local Exchange Trading System) Development Worker John Brennan.

Carrick LETS  has received contributory funds from the Lottery Fair Share funds and the project allows members to trade and swap skills and other services with each other using a bartering system. They use their own credit system, instead of “real money”.

The bartering system between members can assist them to, for example -

• hire a handyman or tools eg decorating, lawnmower, gardening etc;
• sell surplus products like home produce and clothes;
• get help with setting up or repairing computers;
• design greeting cards and posters.

 -and the list goes on and on and……..

Increased charges for lets of Maybole Town Hall have caused outrage in the town and could affect the existence of some groups. Last week, Brownie leader Senga Fergusson was informed that her let of the Lesser Town Hall on Wednesdays would be charged at £8.40 an hour instead of the current £1.20 –an increase of 600%! Ms Fergusson said, “It was disappointing to learn that South Ayrshire Council has advised us that our weekly let will be increased to £8.40 per hour. “Due to the size of the hall I presently restrict the number of Brownies to 16. Taking this increase into consideration, once we have paid the hall let we will have literally no funds left to help pay for the additional materials we require for our meeting. “It is easy for everyone to say that we should increase our weekly subs, but children of today are members of many other clubs and this increase will have an adverse effect on the children who come. “Brownies are about children coming from all walks of life and I am certainly not prepared to become a group for those who can afford it. There have been Brownies in Maybole for nearly 60 years and it would be most detrimental to Maybole if this increase puts this group in jeopardy.”

Alex Kelly, chair of Carrick Crime Prevention Panel, was told that an elderly safety day his group has organised was to cost him £118.13 plus another £2.10 per hour (for kitchen) plus VAT. “I think they have a cheek asking for this kind of money from a voluntary group which is providing free information to our senior citizens.” “They are just trying to fleece us,” he added, “but we don’t have that kind of money, in fact most of the time we have to ask for donations.” The event is planned for September 14 but now the Panel will have to think seriously about cancelling it if the charges are not dropped. Police were scheduled to talk on personal safety in the home; the Fire Brigade on fire safety; Care and Repair advice would be on offer; a representative from Ayrshire Doctors On Call would talk on the out of hours medical service; and there would be a talk on alcohol abuse. Senior citizens would have been given a free first aid box and torch courtesy of Lloyds the Chemist, a foil blanket in case their heating broke down, medical bottles, and hopefully a hot water bottle, timer and pens. “In the past,” said Mr Kelly, “these events were not charged for, and we also ran drug awareness days for young people. We also hold meetings in the Town Hall – are they going to be charged for now?”

Peter Mason, chair of Maybole Community Council, is outraged at these increases and has called a public meeting for Monday July 23 at 7pm in the Town Hall so that everyone can make their views known to the community council who will let South Ayrshire Council know. In the past the community council was granted free lets for meetings but has now been told that the charge will be £8 per hour till the end of August then £8.40 per hour from September. This will cost the community council over £500 per year. Mr Mason said, “If Maybole Community Council is going to be charged this, I would assume that every other community council and community association in South Ayrshire will face the same increase.” "When I first heard of this increase from our secretary,” Mr Mason added, “I was outraged at the council even thinking of raising the charges to these new levels.”

The Town Hall is used by senior groups, young groups and a number of other voluntary organisations and Mr Mason accuses the council of "attacking the elderly and the young, - the two most vulnerable groups in the town." Senior groups have been told that the use of the main hall will cost them £15.70 per hour with meetings in smaller rooms to be £8.40 per hour. Mr Mason continued, “My fear is that this could destroy the community spirit Maybole is well known for." “I believe that the charges that South Ayrshire Council is going to implement on lets for the town hall are outrageous, and do not take into account the repercussions that this community will feel. They are hitting out at voluntary groups, mainly the elderly and the young - the two most vulnerable age groups. “All of these groups are run by volunteers and are non-profit making, and in some cases are subsidised by the people running the groups.

Does the Council realise that when our community centre was closed that they agreed to move groups to the town hall at the same let charges, as they were paying?” He has a few questions for the Council: “If the caretaker is in the town hall anyway during his normal working day why charge groups to use the town hall when there is no outlay to them? “Maybole has a great community spirit – is the Council trying to destroy it as some of these groups may have to close because of these charges? “I know that the caretaker is retiring in September, is the Council going to replace him? Or are these charges the thin edge of the wedge in closing the town hall?” Many local villages have halls which are owned by South Ayrshire Council and staffed by them although managed by community associations who set charges and keep most of the income. This is very beneficial to local communities, giving them an income for other events.

Maybole Community Association operated the former community centre at Ladyland Road in this way for many years but the centre was demolished about 10 years ago by South Ayrshire Council. This caused a problem in money terms for the Community Association and problems for groups with a lack of premises. The Town Hall was made available at reasonable cost if not free and that helped. Church halls were also used but with two local churches and their halls no longer available as they were sold, the Town Hall was ideal. As well as the Brownies, Maybole Community Council, Maybole Community Association, and Carrick Crime Prevention Panel, the Town Hall is used by groups such as Opportunities in Retirement, OAP Association, a seniors’ group called the Cabin, Carrick Chess Club, Town Twinning, British Legion, dancing classes, karate and others.

Mr Mason contacted local councillor Ann Galbraith who got back to him to say, “The increase in rents has been put on hold until the end of August when the whole question of community hall rents will go before the leadership panel.” She added that the charges may well go up anyway, saying that apparently some agreement was come to with a council officer some time ago for Maybole Town Hall to be a “special case” and groups in the town were hiring the hall for less than groups in other towns and possibly villages in South Ayrshire. The charges had been reviewed and it had been decided they were too low. Councillor Galbraith said that any increase should have waited for the complete review at the end of August. “We can discuss this more fully at the next Community Council meeting in August,” she said. Meanwhile Mr Mason is keen to hear what local people think and is urging everyone to attend the meeting on Monday July 23 at 7pm.

Cathy Jamieson MSP visited Maybole last week to meet with representatives of several local organisations who have received notice from South Ayrshire Council that the rent of the Town is to increase dramatically. Ms Jamieson met Peter Mason, Alex Kelly, and David Kiltie then spoke with members of the local OAP Linedancing group who face having their rent doubled. Before the meeting Ms Jamison had emailed Peter Mason, chair of Maybole Community Council to say that she was aware of the wide range of community and voluntary organisations that use the Town Hall on a regular basis.

She commented, “Many of these organisations have limited resources and I believe that if the rental charges were to be increased to the extent reported then this will have a negative impact on these groups. “There are many individuals that give up their time on a weekly and often daily basis to provide activities and clubs for all age groups within Maybole. “I would strongly oppose any move to increase rental charges for the Town Hall which threatened the vibrancy of community activities in the town. The idea that South Ayrshire Council should be trying to extract additional income from community groups in Maybole lies uneasily with the reports in the local papers from the previous week of the Council's "£3.5million bonanza" of extra money it has found within its funds.

After the meeting the MSP wrote to South Ayrshire’s Chief Executive Tom Cairns to pass on her concern. She wrote, “Maybole has an exceptional level of community spirit, shown by the number of community organisations active in the town and by the work of the individuals who give up their time to improve the quality of life and provide opportunities for all age groups. I understand the Council has already written out to a number of groups to make them aware of this decision. I would be grateful if you could provide me with an update on this situation and, as local groups appear to have already been informed about these increases, I would call on you to suspend these proposed charges until effective consultation can take place with the groups affected and local elected members.

Maybole residents have informed me that the decision to close the Maybole Community Centre in 1995 was accompanied by an assurance that local community groups would be able to utilise the Town Hall for their meetings and activities, in effect becoming the community centre for the town. Apart from the Town Hall, Maybole has no other community resource to accommodate the many organisations that are active in the town. If the Council was to increase rental charges it would have a devastating impact on local community groups. All age groups would be affected, including the Brownies, the Carrick Crime Prevention Panel and their regular community safety events for both schools and senior citizens, the Ladies Keep Fit Club, the OAP Line Dancers Club, the Diamond Club and Opportunities in Retirement.

These are just some of the groups that would be hit with excessive and punitive charges if this rental increase is to go ahead.” Peter Mason also pointed out that the community council were to be asked to pay £8.40 per hour to hold meetings in the Town. “For 30 years there has been no charge, “ he told Ms Jamieson, “and if we have to apy this it would use up all our administration grant from the Council. He added, “Every other community council gets free lets, why is Maybole being singled out? Or are the others going to be charged from now on as well?” Ms Jamieson is following this point up with the Chief Executive, writing, “I’ve been informed that Maybole Community Council have been told they will be required to pay the rental for their meetings.

It is my understanding that South Ayrshire Council have a policy of not charging community councils for the let of premises. Could you please confirm if this is the case and why Maybole Community Council would be made an exception? If Maybole Community Council had to pay these rental charges then it would completely account for the annual budget they receive from South Ayrshire Council.” She closed her letter saying she would be grateful for Mr Cairns’ comments on the points she raised and for an assurance “that Maybole residents will not be punished with disproportionate rental charges for use of the Town Hall.”

2007 MAYBOLE OPEN GOLF COMPETITION.

sponsored by

JOHN CUTHBERT GROUNDWORKS.

SUNDAY 1^st - JULY – 2007.

PRIZE WINNERS.

VALSPAR TROPHY, Best Scratch   =          Scott McCahill (Maybole) 68

KIDD CUP, Best Nett                                   =          Allan Campbell (Brunston) 65

BEST NETT}  1^st                                =          Brian Jamieson (Maybole) 66

1^st CLASS    }  2^nd                               =          Weir McCulloch (Speakers) 67

Scr – 9          } 3^rd                                =          David McCulloch (Brunston) 69 BIH

BEST NETT } 1^st                                =          Allan Campbell (Brunston) 65

2^nd CLASS    } 2^nd                               =          John Wood (Maybole) 67 BIH

10 - 18           } 3^rd                                =          David Wallace (Maybole) 67

1^st HOLE,  SPONSORED BY                        Maybole Golf Club

LONGEST DRIVE ON 1^st FAIRWAY =          Scott Campbell (Maybole)

2^nd HOLE,  SPONSORED BY                       Ian Urquhart - Keystore Station Store

NEAREST PIN IN 2 SHOTS                           

a ) 1^st Class                                           =          Scott McCahill (Maybole)                     

b) 2^nd Class                                           =          Ross Murchie (Maybole)

3^rd HOLE,  SPONSORED BY                       John Jamieson–Jamieson Plant Hire&Equipment

NEAREST PIN IN 1 SHOT                             

a ) 1^st Class                                           =          Brian Jamieson (Maybole)

b) 2^nd Class                                           =          T. Sellers (Barshaw, Paisley)

4^th HOLE,  SPONSORED BY                        Maybole Golf Club

NEAREST PIN IN 2 SHOTS                           

a ) 1^st Class                                           =          Bobby Green (Maybole)

b) 2^nd Class                                           =          Eric Flanagan (Maybole)

5^th HOLE,  SPONSORED BY                        Kevin Falls (Plant Hire)

NEAREST PIN IN 2 SHOTS                           

a ) 1^st Class                                           =          William Hutchison (Brunston)

b) 2^nd Class                                           =          Billy Taylor (Maybole)

6^th HOLE,  SPONSORED BY                        Paul Ferguson (Timber Kit Erectors)

NEAREST PIN IN 1 SHOT                             

a ) 1^st Class                                           =          S. Ross (St Cuthberts)  

b) 2^nd Class                                           =          Robbie Milligan (Maybole)

7^th HOLE,  SPONSORED BY                        Colin Hume

NEAREST PIN IN 2 SHOTS                           

a ) 1^st Class                                           =          Bert Jardine (Speakers)            

b) 2^nd Class                                           =          Allan Campbell (Brunston)

8^th HOLE,  SPONSORED BY                        Bert Ferguson - Soveren Homes

NEAREST PIN IN 2 SHOTS                           

a ) 1^st Class                                           =          David McCulloch (Brunston)

b) 2^nd Class                                           =          Allan Campbell (Brunston)

9^th HOLE,  SPONSORED BY                        Eric Flanagan & Campbell Milligan

Alloway Road Motor Services

NEAREST PIN IN 1 SHOT                             

a ) 1^st Class                                           =          Colin Harvey (Maybole)

b) 2^nd Class                                           =          Ricky Stevenson (Maybole)

LOWEST TOTAL, PAR 3s.

a ) 1^st Class                                           =          Brian Jamieson (Maybole)

b) 2^nd Class                                           =          Robbie Milligan (Maybole)

BEST SCRATCH SCORE, 9 HOLES

a ) 1^st Class                                           =          Scott McCahill (Maybole)

b) 2^nd Class                                           =          Allan Campbell( Brunston)

BEST NETT SCORE, 9 HOLES                  

a ) 1^st Class                                           =          David McCulloch (Brunston)

b) 2^nd Class                                           =          Allan Campbell (Brunston)

Special mention to:-

South Ayrshire Council, for the use of the Course on the day,

The green staff, who had the Golf Course in very excellent condition,

All the Kitchen Staff, who provided the teas during the day,

All committee and club members, who helped in making the event a success.

Thank you to the following, for their generous “Sponsorships” / “Prizes” / “Donations”:-

John Cuthbert (Groundworks)

Ian Urquhart - Keystore Station Store

Colin Broun – Minishant Stores

John Jamieson – Jamieson Plant Hire & Equipment

Kevin Falls – Plant Hire

Paul Ferguson (Timber Kit Erectors)

Colin Hume

Bert Ferguson - Soveren Homes

Eric Flanagan & Campbell Milligan - Alloway Road Motor Services

Plus all club members and friends who donated prizes towards the raffle.