June 28th 2002

June 21st 2002

David Kiltie honoured for 25 years on the Maybole Community Council. It’s easy to take someone for granted —particularly when he becomes as familiar a fixture in the community as David Kiltie is in Maybole. But Maybole Community Council was determined to let David know how much they value his incredible 25 years service. more

June 14th 2002

June 7th 2002

The complete text of the headlines above follows.

June 28th 2002

June 21st 2002

SUNSHINE broke through just in time for the start of Maybole Gala parade - and it proved one of the best the town has seen. The World Cup and the Queen's Golden Jubilee were popular themes, and there was a host of other great ideas. Sadly, the rain came back around 3.45pm to curtail Saturday afternoon's fun at Glebe Park. But Susan Whiteman of the gala organising committee hailed the day as `fabulous' She said: "It was wonderful to see the sun come out after the heavy rain on Friday. And we thank everyone for their hard work and co-operation." Maybole Pipe Band led the parade from Carrick Academy to Glebe Park. Then came the carriage carrying the town's royal couple. Fraser Thomson was crowned King of Carrick by Councillor Andy Hill, and Gayle Barr was crowned Queen by MSP Cathy Jamieson. The youngsters are both pupils of Gardenrose Primary, and their attendants were Chelsea Henderson and Liam Parker of Cairn Primary, and Claire Strang and Blair Sloan of St Cuthbert's Primary. All of the young people received mementoes of the occasion, presented to them by Councillor Alan Murray. The 1st Maybole Brownies were judged best walking group in the parade, while St Cuthbert's Primary had the best float. photos.

LOCAL MP George Foulkes has been appointed as a member of the Queen's Privy Council. The MP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley is delighted by the news, which means that he'll be known as The Right Honourable Mr Foulkes. Commenting on Monday's announcement, he said: "I am greatly honoured by this appointment." Apart from Prime Minister Tony Blair and other senior Ministers - automatic members of the Privy Council - title of Privy Councillor is bestowed by the Queen on eminent people in the UK and other commonwealth countries. Mr Foulkes has served as an Ayrshire MP for 23 years, holding several senior posts in and out of government. Until recently, he was Scots Secretary Helen Liddell's deputy.

SEVEN teams took part in the Maybole Gala quiz, held in Carrick Sports Club, and that meant a formidable amount of brainpower. Maybole Community Association organized the event, and quizmaster was association chairman Susan Whiteman. Two elimination rounds saw teams repre­senting the sports club and the community association reach the final. And eventually, after a splendid contest, the winners were Maybole Community Association. The other teams which took part, and were KO'd earlier in the evening, were: Maybole Community Council, Cairn Primary School Board, Memorial Park Bowling Club, Kirkoswald Crew, and Tiddlers and Tadpoles Playgroup.

THE Jean Falconer Literary Competition again produced a high standard of writing among Maybole school pupils. And judges had an incredibly difficult task to pick winners in a competition which commemorates a founder member of Maybole Community Council. Jean was a respected journalist, and her community council colleagues felt a literary competition was an appropriate way to remember her. Jean's mother Nell Samson presented trophies and certificates, and ex-Provost Danny MacNeill handed over pictorial histories of Maybole. Maybole Community Development Group made a special donation this year of £5 Jubilee coins. And these were handed over by South Ayrshire Council leader, Councillor Andy Hill. Maybole Community Council thanked every- one who helped make the annual competition a success, and award-winners were:. Senior competition (all Carrick Academy): 1, Gavin Kean; 2, Annise Wilson; 3, Gareth Dowse; 4, Colin McRae. Junior: 1, Allison McGregor, St Cuthbert's; 2, Claire Strang, St Cuthbert's; 3, Caroline Kennedy, Cairn; highly commended, Eilidh Gerrish, Gardenrose; Jemma Scobie, Cairn; 3, Melissa Paton, St Cuthbert's. photos.

A NEW bus shelter in Maybole has gone up in the WRONG place, a councillor admits. "Someone has made a mistake," said Councillor Alan Murray. "But it will be put right," he pledged. The shelter has been put in the lower part of Minnoch Crescent, rather than the high part of Glenalla Road. "Gardenrose Tenants' Association requested Glenalla Road," said Councillor Murray. "And for the very good reason that it's much more exposed there. "It's the topmost part of the town, and people waiting for a bus need shelter there," he said. "It's not such a necessity in Minnoch Crescent, as people can see the bus coming from inside their homes."

HAIR today - gone in a whisker! That was the experience of David Burgess at Maybole Town Hall. But David actually volunteered for the close shave which raised a tidy £118 for Carrick Colts. David's son plays for the Maybole-based soccer club, who were delighted with the fundraising gesture. Allison Kerr wielded a keen razor on David at the Colts' end-of-season presentation night, held in the town hall.

LOOKING BACK: 50 years ago - Ayr County Council's planning department again turns down an application by Mrs C.R. Rodger to erect a sign for her tea shop. But Maybole District Council says it will urge the department to reconsider its decision. Captain O. Hughes Onslow says it is `sheer nonsense' and, points out that there are large signs nearby with `National Trust' on them. The Rev D.M. Maclean says its unfair to the public as well as Mrs Rodger. And the Rev G.A. Johnston says the sign would in no way disfigure the landscape, and would give useful information on the village's only tea-room. He points out: "You can't drink sea water

June 14th 2002

MAYBOLE Gala Day is shaping to be the best-ever! And everyone is hoping for good weather to make Saturday a day to remember. Maybole Pipe Band leads off the gala parade from Carrick Academy at 1pm. And the route to Glebe Park is via Kirkoswald Road, Whitehall, High Street, St Cuthbert's Road and Crosshill Road. The parade will of course feature a Royal coach carrying this year's King and Queen of Carrick - Gardenrose P7 pupils Fraser Thomson and Gayle Barr. Their attendants will be Cairn Primary's Claire Henderson and Liam Parker, and St Cuthbert's pupils Claire Strang and Blair Sloan. Groups with floats in the parade are: Maybole Community Development Group, Cairn Primary Parents' Association, Girvan Branch RNLI, St Cuthbert's Primary PTA, Carrick Stompers line-dancers, and the Carriba Stargazers steel band.

Walking groups will include: Maybole Majorettes, Gardenrose Primary PA, Maybole Town Twinners, Maybole Concert Party, Tiny Tots Playgroup, Aileen Robertson Highland Dancers, 1st Maybole Brownies, Tiddlers and Tadpoles Playgroup, Maybole Youth Club, Maybole Youth Action Group, Scout Group and Carrick Colts.  After the crowning ceremony at Glebe Park, there will be judging of floats and fancy dress competitions, followed by performances by parade bands and dance groups. Pop group Haze, a brass band, and `The Singing Chef' will also appear, and there will be a display by battle re-enactment group Carrick 800, plus races and tug o' war contests.

Groups with stalls on the park are: Garpin Angling Club, Corner Pocket Angling Club, Over the Rainbow, Minishant Social Club, Girvan RNLI, Maybole Scouts, OAP Association, Tiny Tots, SNP, Voice Advocacy, Maybole Labour Party, Maybole AFC, Carrick Round Table, Tiddlers and Tadpoles, and the Fulcrum Challenge. There will also be various commercial stalls, plus displays by staff of the emergency services, and attractions including a `Dino Slide'. Don't forget the emergency services `Open Day' on Sunday, with police, fire and ambulance personnel inviting the public to drop by between 11am and 3pm.

A UNITED service to launch Maybole Gala Week was switched from Crossraguel Abbey to the Town Hall, due to the weather. But although the day brightened up beautifully, the switch affected Sunday's turn-out. The Rev Bertie Collie, convener of Maybole Council of Churches, welcomed everyone and said the service was to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee, as well as start gala festivities. Other clergy taking part were the Rev Julia Mason, the Rev Richard Martin, the Rev Dave Whiteman, the Rev Jim Hayes and the Rev Ali Naylor. Introducing their favourite hymns were Ian Landsburgh, Donna McKay, Marilyn Pope and Susan Whiteman. Musical accompaniment was by Kevin McDermott, Kenneth Hutchison and Robert McElroy.

MEET the Town Hall toppers who appeared in `The Number One Hits Show' in Maybole. They danced to pop favourites like `Barbie Girl', Livin' Doll' and Uptown Girl'. And they even appeared with water pistols for `It's Raining Men'! The youngsters are all members of the Maybole Majorette and Dance School, which has been running for 18 years now. Founder and principal Angela Bissett said: "The Thursday night show was very good, but Friday's was superb." She thanked dance tutors Marion and Mandy; sound and music technician Keith; lighting engineer Derek; wardrobe mistresses Sadie and Ruth; and video directors Wendy and Ellena. Angela also expressed appreciation of all her pupils and everyone who supported the shows.

LETTERS are going from Maybole to 50 schools in the USA - one in each state. And 1st Maybole Boys' Brigade hopes to get replies from as many as possible. Carrick Round Table has gifted the BBs a cheque for £200 to help fund the exciting project. And each boy has to research a state. The lads will then write to schools in the USA with their findings, also enclosing information on Maybole. Company captain William Boyce told the Post: "We have nicknamed the project Letters to America and we hope to receive Letters from America - just like the Proclaimers' song!" He added: "We are very grateful to the Round Table for their valuable donation, and we would be delighted to hear from anyone else who can help with sponsorship as the project progresses." There was a picture with this report.

SOUTH Ayrshire Council Leader Andy Hill came under fire from a wide range of questioners the other day - in a Maybole school. He had just delivered a special talk on `Democracy and Decision Making' at Cairn Primary. And P7 pupils had some searching questions for him. Councillor Hill admitted: "The children showed considerable interest and were most forthright in their questioning." He spoke in detail about democracy in local government, using his own experiences to illustrate points. And he brought a range of documents, including mock ballot papers, as well as a real ballot box. The P7 class have been studying the democratic process, and teacher Mrs Barbara Tomlinson invited Councillor Hill to give a talk. There was a picture with this.

MAYBOLE website www.maybole.org is about to reunite former pupils of Carrick Academy - including some who haven't seen each other since they left in 1965! Dot Murchie, who now lives in Australia, made contact last year, and a photo of her classmates later appeared on the site. This prompted talk among her old schoolmates, including fellow Aussie Janie Reid who is planning a visit to Maybole in August. And some of the ex-pupils who still live in Maybole are planning a reunion for Saturday, August 31. The date was set by a group of five who had a meeting. They are (maiden names seem best for this!) Phyllis McMichael, Eileen Kiltie, Marion Wilson, Senga McBride and Wilma McLanaghan. The 1965 leavers were born in 1949/50, and would like to hear from other former classmates. They have lost track of Carol Cowan, Ann Clark, June Barker, Jean Sands, Helen Drummond, Senga Barrie and Pat Colligan. These and other former classmates can contact Senga on (01655) 883057, Wilma on (01655) 889613 or Eileen on (01655) 882529.

June 7th 2002

On Thursday May 23, members s of the Tackety Bit Hillwalkers Club set off for wild camping at Larachantivore, at the foot of An Teallach, in the Fisherfield ''forest'' (there are very few trees}.  The tents took a pounding the first night by very strong gusts of wind but they were still standing in the morning. On Friday they left camp in sunny weather to tackle the four Munros on the east side of Gleann Na Muice, Beinn a' Chlaidheimh, which was a very steep pull all the way to the summit cairn.  They faced a steep descent before a loose stoney pull to the top of Sgurr Ban. The next Munro, en route, Mulloch Coire Mhic Fhearchair gave a punishing loose scree ascent to already tiring legs.  The last hill of the day, four miles from the tents, Beinn Tarsuinn was climbed only to find a mysterious flat tablelike pinnacle a few feet from the summit. The descent was steep back into the glen before the long slog back to camp for a well earned ''feast''.  After rain through the night, the river crossing gave members their first problem, getting to the other side to head for what are said to be the most remote Munros, Ruadh Stac Mor & A'Mhaighdean.  Water proofs were the order of the day as it was raining like it had never rained before but there were clear pockets in the high cloud to allow some views before the descent to the glen and the same trudge back to the camp.  The next meeting is in the Welltrees Inn, Maybole, on Thursday 13th June at 8 pm.

The Maybole Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland is holding a Jubilee Ceilidh and Dance on Saturday June 29 in the Town Hall. Music will be provided by the "Ian Moore Sound" and tickets, costing £6 are available from the committee or from David Hunter 01465 811327.

Pearl Barton, of Maybole OAP Association, cut the first sod to launch work on a new housing development in the centre of Maybole. Carrick’s development tackles a major eyesore on Maybole’s main street. On completion, a dramatic triangular block will complement the adjacent Carnegie Library and Maybole Castle.  23 houses and maisonettes to suite a variety of needs are to be built. Despite the severe slopes, all the houses will have barrier free level access to both their front and back doors.  The project will cost £1.7 millions. It is supported by a grant from Communities Scotland of £1.1 millions which allows Carrick to keep the rents affordable.  Mrs Boyd, commented: "This development as well as providing much needed new housing will be a massive boost to the renewal of Maybole’s main street."  The development is being built in partnership with Drongan based Hope Homes Scotland. The architect is award winning Wren Rutherford A-S:L.  For further information, please contact: Jim Whiston, Carrick Housing Association Ltd, 13 Miller Road, Ayr, tel: 01292 880120. j.whiston@carrickha.org.uk