June 25th 2004

June 18th 2004

June 11th 2004

June 4th 2004

Maybole Historical Society claims to have proved that Maybole IS the centre of the universe. When local training company May-Tag Ltd moved out, Cassillis and Culzean Estate offered to let the Society open Maybole Castle to the public for a number of days over the summer. “Within one week of actually doing so,” said Dave Killicoat, vice chair of the Historical Society, “we can now conclusively prove that Maybole IS the centre of the world.  more

The complete text of the headlines above follows.

June 25th 2004

Maybole’s gala day last Saturday was a real fun day despite the clouds and threat of rain. Susan Whiteman, chair of Maybole Community Association who organise the annual events, thanked everyone who took part saying, “A lot of hard work and co-operation went into the parade and we would like to express our appreciation to everyone." Maybole Pipe Band led the parade off from Carrick Academy to Glebe Park followed by a horse drawn carriage carrying the town’s royal couple, floats walkers cars and, bringing up the rear, Dalmellington Brass Band. New to the parade this year was Starburst the stiltwalker. At the park Councillor Andy Hill officially opened the gala and then Jami Brown was crowned Queen of Carrick By Councillor Alan Murray and Jack Wallace was crowned King by Cathy Jamieson MSP. The new king and queen are P7 pupils at Cairn Primary. Their attendants were St Cuthbert’s pupils Kerry McKeown (Lady In Waiting) and Jamie Cron (Crown Bearer); and Gardenrose pupils Erin McGarry (Lady In Waiting) and Joe Cree (Crown Bearer).

Cairn Primary (Animal of the world) was judged best float with St Cuthbert's Primary (Grease) runner-up. Best walking group was Gardenrose Primary, second were 2nd Maybole Brownies, third were Maybole Majorettes & Dance School. Highly commended were the Tiny Tots playgroup, 1st Brownies and local scouts, cubs and beavers. Fancy dress prizewinners were: Under 5s – 1 Kaitlin Barrie (Snow person) 2 Kayley Campbell (Bill & Ben) 3 Jake Hearton 5 – 12s – 1 Connor McClung (Clown) 2 Jinny Collie (Icicle) 3 Lee Cairns (Hedgehog) Adults 1 Michelle McDowall (Grease) 2 Sharon Robb (Zebra) Joane Anderson (Snowlady) Other competition winners were: Best dressed shop window 1 Pickens 2 Scuples 3 Rosebank Fruit shop Quiz 1 Carrick Sports Club B 2 Maybole Men’s Health Forum 3 Carrick Sports Club A Best kept garden 1 Mrs Kenyon 2 Ian Hearton Afterwards there was a whole range of entertainment which included Maybole Pipe Band, Maybole Majorette and Dance School, Aileen Robertson School of Highland Dancing, Dalmellington Brass Band, and pop group Haze.

Children were well catered for by several performances by Uncle Billy, races and a tug of war competition as well as side shows and slides. Mrs Whiteman was pleased with the number of local people who turned out for the gala and how things had gone in the run-up to it. She said: "Our service at Crossraguel the previous Sunday was a wonderful start to our gala week and we had great fun at our team quiz night. "The pet show was very successful too, with lots of people bringing along their pets and joining in the fun." Susan thanked everyone who took part in making sure the gala ran smoothly with special thanks to local police, South Ayrshire Council, Carrick Round Table, Mitchell and Struthers employees, Jim Bryan for his PA expertise, and Co-operative Funeralcare for their car.

"The pet show was very successful too, with lots of people bringing along their pets and joining in the fun." Susan thanked everyone who took part in making sure the gala ran smoothly with special thanks to local police, South Ayrshire Council, Carrick Round Table, Mitchell and Struthers employees, Jim Bryan for his PA expertise, and Co-operative Funeralcare for their car. Winners in the Pet Show were: Guinea pig, cats etc - 1 Holly Humphries (guinea pig) 2 Kerry McDowall (cat) 3 Zoe Wallace (guinea pig) H/C Alice Mackie (guinea pig)  Other caged pets – 1 Brodie Wallace (rabbit) 2 Fiona Matthews (ferret) 3 Emily Moore H/c Nathan Davidson (P/cat).  Hamsters 1 Simon Mackie 2 Maxine Donnachie 3 Robert Mackie H/C Jamie Brown . Dogs Eight-legged race -1 Sharon Dowie 2 Robert Thomson 3 Lesley McGregor Best condition – 1 Emma Alexander 2 Stephanie McDowall 3 Emma O’Hara Owner most like dog – 1 Maraian Davidson 2 Sheena Crawford 3 Ryan Murray Happiest 1 Lesley McGregor 2 Laura Hendry 3 Eve Greig Most worried – 1 Louisa Davidson 2 James Connell 3 Fergus and Rory Mason .

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Robert Bobby Green presented a cheque for £360 to Bernadette Gillespie, some of the children who attend the after school care project, staff Tracey Clark (bank staff), Gillian Baillie (playleader) and Jean McEwan (playleader). Robert Green last week handed over a cheque for £360 sponsor money on behalf of Lodge St John No 11 to the Maybole After School Care project. He had been sponsored to lose four stone in weight from January 19 and he had to achieve this by June 25. With the help of Weightwatchers he shed the pounds ahead of schedule and reached his target on May 10. Robert would like to thank everyone who sponsored him with special thanks to Colin Broun at Minishant Post Office as well as Eric Flanagan at Alloway Road Motors for their generous sponsorship.

June 18th 2004

Worshippers from all of Maybole’s churches gathered on Sunday June 13 to start the town’s gala week with a special united service at historic Crossraguel Abbey. The event was organised by Maybole Council of Churches and clergy who led parts of the service were Fr Jim hayes, Rev David Jones, Rev Dave Whiteman, Rev Douglas Moore and Rev Richard Martin. Hymns were introduced by Josephine Mill, Robert Malone, Dave Whiteman and Ann McPike. Musical accompaniment was by Fusion.

Jack Wallace and Jami Brown, who will be crowned the new King and Queen of Carrick, attended the service to gain their first taste of life in their royal roles. Now they are preparing for a more hectic time at the gala on Saturday. Susan Whiteman, chairman of Maybole Community Association, thanked the Council of Churches for getting the gala week off to such a great start. On behalf of Maybole Council of Churches, Fr Hayes thanked Historic Scotland, Maybole Community Association, music group Fusion, local police and other officials for their help and support in organising the service.

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Carrick Sports Club is holding its annual dance this Saturday June 19 and guest band is “In Vision”. The evening will also feature the presentation of prizes to the winners of various sports competions. This year they will be presented by former steward Ian Hewitt and his wife Irene.

June 11th 2004

The 60^th anniversary of D Day was commemorated in Maybole last Sunday, June 6, with a church parade led by Maybole Pipe Band. The event was organised by the local branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland, the oldest in the country, in conjunction with South Ayrshire Council and Maybole Community Council.  Before the parade began Major George Hay TD, Scottish Yeomanry, Ayrshire, was invited to inspect the standard bearers by David Hunter, chairman of the Maybole branch RBLS, who was Parade Marshall.

Then the parade made its way to the Old Church via School Vennel and High Street. Major Hay is a deputy Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire and he was accompanied by Lieutenant Commander John Lorimer DSO who is also a deputy Lord Lieutenant. Other dignitaries included Councillor Andy Hill, leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Alan Murray, and Chief Executive Tom Cairns; Chief Superintendent John Corrigan and Superintendent Bruce Kennedy, Strathclyde Police; Flying Officer Alex Lobban, RAF cadets; Alistair Kennedy, Vice Chair Ayrshire Area RBLS; several members of Maybole Community Council and Rev Dave Whiteman.

In his sermon Rev Whiteman said, “We are here today to remember those who fought and died on that day in June 1944; to give thanks for that supreme sacrifice; to thank God for the freedom we enjoy, and to celebrate our deliverance from the evil that gripped Europe in those dark days.”

After the church service the parade marched from Barns Terrace and made its way via Redbrae and Cassillis Road for the march past with the salute taken by Major Hay and then High Street to the Town Hall for a civic reception courtesy of South Ayrshire Council. At the Town Hall Councillor Hill welcomed everyone and said he believed very strongly that “It is important that those people who were injured or sacrificed their lives defending their beliefs and their country are never forgotten.” “It is also important,” he added, “that young people today, and generations to come, never forget those who have served their country in the armed forces.”

In reply, Alistair Kennedy comprehensively thanked everyone who had played a part in making the day such a success. “I always take pleasure now,” he continued, “at Area meetings that Maybole is the No 1 branch. We may be the smallest area in RBLS life but let me assure you we hold our own. “To see everyone on parade today was wonderful, there was a lot of service, pride, and memories for all of us.” He then recited what has become known as the Kohima Prayer:

“When you go home, tell them of us and say,
‘For your tomorrow we gave our today.’”

The words are attributed to John Maxwell Edmonds (1875 -1958), an English Classicist, who had put them together among a collection of 12 epitaphs for World War One, in 1916.

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Groundforces feature on TV and win a bronze award

A project by trainees at Groundforces@May-Tag to build a patio garden at Gardening Scotland 2000 featured on BBC’s Beechgrove Garden last Thursday night and the following day it was awarded the bronze prize. Gardening Scotland is the top annual horticultural event of the year and is held at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh. Jim McColl, presenter of Beechgrove Garden, congratulated the award winning team and commented that the trainees’ enthusiasm and knowledge was “very impressive” and he hoped to see them back next year.

Featuring on TV helped to attract lots of visitors to the display and some even asked the trainees for their autographs as well as asking if they could makeover their gardens! The judges also made favourable comments and scored high the concept and design of the patio garden which the team now plan to reconstruct at the Ayr Flower Show. Groundforce is one of local company May-Tag’s projects which provides skills in garden design, construction, and maintenance to unemployed people.

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Maybole’s gala week programme starts this coming Sunday June 13 with a united service at Crossraguel Abbey at 3.00pm.. A minibus will run from the Greenside from 2.15pm but if the weather is bad the service will be held in Maybole Town Hall. Everyone is encouraged to go along and join the service to celebrate the start of gala week. Monday June 14 is quiz night and is for teams of four with no individual questions. The annual pet show will be held on Thursday June 17 in Ladywell Stadium at 6.30pm - all creatures great and small welcome. Gala day, of course, is on Saturday June 19 and the following day, Sunday June 20,  is an Open Day for the town’s emergency services at Ladyland Road. There are also competitions ongoing for the best dressed shop window and the best kept garden with winners being announced at the gala.

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Maybole Men’s Health Forum is playing a full part in the gala week which coincides with Men’s Health Week Scotland. They will be taking part in the quiz as well as their normal keep fit night on Thursday June 17. In addition at 11.30am on Friday June 18 they will be going for a walk round the cross roads and in the evening they will help the gala organisers, Maybole Community Association to set up for the big day. After the gala they will help to clear up and dismantle tents.

In a special arrangement with South Ayrshire Council the Forum has organised free swimming for men in Maybole and district from Monday June 14 to Sunday June 20. The hours available are: Mon 12 noon to 8pm; Tues 12-3pm; Wed 12-8pm; Thur 12-3pm; Fri 12-6pm; Sat 12-4pm; Sun 12-4pm. Any male who would like to take advantage of this should contact Jim McDermott on 882592 or Derek Walker on 882796 or 889732. They will pass on names to the pool staff.

A spokesman for the Forum said, “We applaud the Scottish Office for running Men’s Health Week and also for directing money targeted solely at men’s health - an issue that has been long over looked. We as a Forum have been operating for over two years. It costs the NHS £380 to keep a patient in a hospital bed for one day not including any other care, if we can keep fit for longer, in the long run we will be saving the NHS money and getting a lot of enjoyment into the bargain. For any male that is thinking about trying to get a bit fitter, come along you have nothing to lose, (except a few pounds) and everything to gain.” They will also meet with local MSP Cathy Jamieson prior to their Friday walk.

June 4th 2004

Maybole Historical Society claims to have proved that Maybole IS the centre of the universe. When local training company May-Tag Ltd moved out, Cassillis and Culzean Estate offered to let the Society open Maybole Castle to the public for a number of days over the summer. “Within one week of actually doing so,” said Dave Killicoat, vice chair of the Historical Society, “we can now conclusively prove that Maybole IS the centre of the world.

“We appreciated the slow start and the few visitors we had on our opening day on Sunday May 30 which allowed us to give the Castle a wee clean and fine tune the first of our displays. We knew that we had received very good publicity both from the local press and our own posters and anticipated a gradual increase in visitor numbers but we were barely prepared for the overwhelming response on our second opening on Wednesday night.” “Not only is this the busiest period we have ever experienced, he added, “we were amazed at the variety and global coverage of our visitors - NEARLY ALL WITH SPECIFIC MAYBOLE CONNECTIONS. We had visitors from Australia, Canada, Zimbabwe, Dubai, Wales, four separate counties in England and quite a few from Scotland (even Maybole!).

“One lady from Australia had little hope of finding a long lost cousin on her first visit but within fifteen minutes of arriving in the Castle she had organised the old family history and arranged to travel by bus to Crosshill to meet the cousin who was in fact well known to the wife of one of our more venerable volunteers. “This has proved to us that one of our most valuable assets is actually the local knowledge of some of our core of volunteers/guides such as Murray Cook and Archie Scobie from Maybole and David Hunter, now resident in Dailly but still very much a Maybole man.”

By last weekend there was a large general display with local maps and family history resources in one of the large rooms on the ground floor, and a great number of old local photographs. “By the time we open for Doors Open Day in September,” Dave said, “we hope to have added an excellent display of the Natural History, Flora and Fauna of North Carrick (with the extremely valuable assistance of Fred Westcott), and a display looking at the Boot & Shoemaking Industry which was a very important part of Maybole's History.” He concluded, “Several more exciting developments are planned so that visitors to the Castle can always expect to see something new.”

In the Castle archives several old documents are being professionally archived and preserved. The oldest is too fragile for display at the moment but is dated 1721. Other documents are in excellent condition and make fascinating reading. An example of this is a monthly return, dated 31 July 1799, of the Loyal Carrick Volunteers commanded by its Major Commandant The Earl of Carrick. It shows two companies led by captain John Shaw and Captain Hugh Logan with three sergeants and 47 men each.. Open Day Poster and schedule.

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Special guest speaker at the recent meeting of Maybole and District Business Association was Councillor Andy Hill, Leader of South Ayrshire Council. He had been invited to the meeting in the Welltrees Inn to discuss the impact of a potential by-pass for Maybole and was accompanied by Bob Ross from the Road Design Department. The meeting was chaired by Peter Walker and also attending were representatives from the Community Council, Historical Society and other community groups. Councillor Hill opened by saying that a feasibility study had been approved and that the Scottish Roads Minister had been lobbied on a recent visit to Ayrshire. At this stage it appears premature to be discussing a start date for a bypass if it does, indeed, get approval, but South Ayrshire Council continues to be vocal about the issue of road safety on the A77 south of Ayr where over 50% of all fatal road accidents on the A77 have occurred. Bob Ross then went through an informative presentation on the A77 highlighting work that had already been completed or that was about to be undertaken in the near future and the importance of the bypass option for Maybole. Councillor Hill and Mr Ross then took questions during which it was suggested that, given the likely time delay in the town getting a bypass, a public meeting should be organised by the community council to discuss road safety on Maybole High street in the interim, which was strongly supported by Councillor Hill. The meeting was closed with a vote of thanks to the guests from Peter Walker. The annual general meeting of the Maybole and District is to be held on the 08th June 2004 at the Welltrees Inn at 7:30 pm.

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“Recycling the Past” A Patio Show Garden for this year’s Gardening Scotland show at Ingleston has been designed by Fionnadh Ratchford of Groundforces which is a project run by the charity May-Tag Ltd., and is based in Maybole. Groundforces work with adults and a number of school children to provide work based training and improve their job prospects. In the last two months seven have found permanent full time employment and three of their trainees are on placement with South Ayrshire Council. The patio show garden showcases their work. The title, “Recycling the Past” is a metaphor for the work that is undertaken with trainees: Groundforces recycle and rework their skills to re-present them to the job market; as they recycle and rework the materials in the garden presented here. Their project shows how a garden is achievable even on a limited budget of under £1000, recycles common garden products, showcases work based training and gives the trainees innovative experiences to improve confidence and job prospects.

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Maybole Majorettes & Dance School is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and is trying to find out where some of its former pupils are. The dance school started off at Carrick Academy Community Wing, moving to the community centre in Ladywell Road until they had to move to the Town Hall. After enquiring about dance teachers, Jean Birrell, from Ayr, agreed to be the instructor for the school. After years of a successful dance school, Jean had to move to Belgium due to her husband’s work. Since then Mandy Campbell and Marian Morris have made the dance school a continuing success taking girls and boys from age 3+ in majorettes, acrobatics, tap, ballet and stage classes. This coming Friday June 4 the school is holding its 21st annual show in Maybole Town Hall and on Saturday they are holding a reunion. Angela Bissett told us, “I wanted to start my own dance school for Maybole, and surrounding areas.” She continued, “I enjoy seeing the children and adults dancing at our yearly show. It is time-consuming and hard work, but I hope I can continue for many years to come. Thanks to everyone over the year for all their help, without their help the dance shows could not happen.” The dance school has pupils  from this Maybole area plus Girvan, Dailly, Straiton, Dalrymple.

Every Tuesday the following classes are held in the Town Hall

Baby Class                            3.30 – 4.15

Primary Class                        4.15 – 6.15

Junior Class                           6.15 – 8.15

Senior & Adult Class            8.15 – 10.00 pm

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The Tackety Bit club had a long day last week when they were in the Inverinate Forest area and cycled into Iron Lodge near Falls of Glomach. It was an early start and was well rewarded with lots of deer, a cuckoo being chased by small birds and near Loch an Droma a big fox was spotted. After going over Mullach na Dheiragain and heading up Carn na Con Dhu a golden eagle was sitting on the summit cairn and looked like a person through the thin mist. Itwas mostly sunny but two prolonged snow showers transformed the hills back to winter for a little while. Members followed the ridge round to Sgurr na h-Eige and back to Iron Lodge. Other members had an excellent day when they went from Loch Laggan onto Creag Pitrich,Geal Charn and round to Beinn a/ Chlachair getting good views to the Cairngorms and the Grey Corries.

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The Ayrshire Federation of Historical Societies held their Annual General Meeting in the Irvine Burns Club on Sunday. The meeting, hosted by Fullarton Historical Society, was very well attended with representatives from many of the local and family history societies throughout Ayrshire taking the opportunity to exchange news and views and see round the historic building with its many Burns related archives and artefacts. As usual, the highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of the John Strawhorn Memorial Quaich. This is presented each year to a person or society who has made an outstanding contribution to local or family history in Ayrshire. This year the very worthy recipient was local historian Alastair Hendry. Alastair originally hails from Darvel and had a distinguished career in Education. He has had a keen interest in archaeology since he was very young and has led several digs in and around Ayrshire. He is a past President of the Ayrshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, has a reputation for knowing more about the Romans in this part of the world than anyone else and has published several books on various subjects including the Barony of Alloway. Alastair is well known throughout the county as a favourite speaker at meetings and is still fully occupied with research for future publication. In accepting the quaich he volunteered that he was a great friend and admirer of the late John Strawhorn (even having been born in same room, in the same house in Darvel, although ten years later) and so it gave him great pleasure to receive the award. Federation chairman Stuart Wilson (left) is pictured presenting the Quaich to Alastair Hendry.