March 2009

2009 - MAYBOLE NEWS FOR THE MONTH OF:

January	February	March	April	May	June	Archives 1999-2009
July	August	September	October	November	December	Other Maybole News Twitter

March 2009


Another one bites the dust. Another of Maybole’s landmark buildings has been demolished. From the mid 19th century, the famous firm of Alexander Jack & Sons produced every type of implement for farm work. Their products were exhibited at agricultural shows and exported to farmers in Canada, Australia, etc. The firm started their own moulding shop for the metal work required, employed their own fellers for the timber, and their own painters, sawyers, cartwrights, etc., and produced the finished implements from raw materials. They experimented on improvements to ploughs, grubbers, turnip, sowers and were the first to make rubber-tyred wheels for carts in 1932 and produced the famous Oliver ploughs. more

A LIFE under the ocean waves awaits Maybole man John Hamilton. For he’s just passed out of basic training with the Royal Navy and earned himself a top prize into the bargain. The trainee submariner was selected as class leader during the nine-week basic training course at HMS Raleigh in Plymouth. He said: “There have been many highlights of training, but the training at Pier Cellars, an outdoor centre owned by the Navy, was my favourite, because I feel that’s where our team first pulled together. “Basic training has been very rewarding. “The standard of instruction and the way the course is taught is of a very high standard. The nine weeks have absolutely flown by.” The 28-year-old will now move on to the phase two element of his training, also at Raleigh.

Maybole postman Alex Gemmell is getting ready to walk the Southern Upland Way to raise money for charity. Alex lives at 55 Hicks Avenue and is looking for all the sponsors he can get to raise cash for Alzheimer Scotland and will be walking 212 miles along Scotland's coast to coast footpath on June 5. He says: "If you see me delivering mail, please stop me and sponsor me for a good cause.” Of course, he will also accept sponsorship after working hours. Last year he walked the 95 miles of the West Highland way between Milngavie and Fort William and raised £1,500 for Yorkhill Children’s Hospital . He had previously walked the West Highland way in 2002 when he raised £1,100 for cot death research. Alex had only became a postie in January of that year, and previously worked 27 years with British Aerospace at Prestwick.

Members of Maybole Men’s Health Forum took part in a 5K run at Blairquhan Castle, Straiton on Sunday 1st. March. A spokesman for the Forum said, “The course was hilly in parts but the picturesque setting and large crowd cheering home the runners made it all worthwhile. “We will be taking part again on Father`s Day in the men`s 10K in Bellahouston Park, Glasgow.” The Health Forum meets every Thursday night in the gym at Carrick Academy from 7:30pm and is open to all males so why not go along and give it a try as you will be made veryt welcome. Further details are available on the Forum’s website www.maybolehealthforum.org . Pictured left to right Tom Cuthill, Michael McDermott, Derek Robb, Stewart McDowall, Pete Lynn, Jim Paterson and Iain Gray (trainer)

The Pontoon Golf Club held its annual presentation of prizes last Saturday evening Winners were: March medal M Thomson, Bogey Comp R McDowall, April medal R Eccles Spring, outing C Milligan, May medal R Green, Stableford R Green, Capt Prize A Thorburn, Hannah Trophy K McSorley, Summer Outing R Green, June medal R Green, C Milligan Trophy S Johnston, July medal R Scott, Judy Shaw Trophy R Scott, Vice/Capts Prize R Eccles, S Davidson Trophy R Green, Founders Trophy M Thomson, Millenium Trophy D Strang, more

Maybole’s new Age Concern centre is now open for business. A Management Committee is in place and its members are looking forward to welcoming the elderly residents of Maybole and the surrounding villages to their building in School Vennel. Officebearers are Irene Moledina (Chair), Frank Potter (Secretary) and Derek Walker (Treasurer) with the rest of the committee Mel Balfour, Pearl Barton, Maureen Fox, Ian Paterson, Rina Paterson, Brian Pluthero and Helen Whitefield. Photo shows left to right: Frank Potter, Rina Paterson, Irene Moledina, Ian Paterson, Derek Walker, Brian Pluthero and Pearl Barton. more


Young parishioners at Our Lady and St Cuthbert’s, Maybole, had a taste of what it is like to belong to a Mountain Rescue team last weekend. Kenny Mackay, Johnnie Colquhoun and Ray McCutcheon from Galloway Mountain Rescue, gave both a visual and a hands-on demonstration of the methods and equipment employed by the Mountain Rescue service when they need to respond to a situation. Lots of good advice on how to prepare for hill-walking was offered to the young people, too. more

Reps from Morrison’s were Susan Murray, Store Personnel Manager (left in the photo) and Jim Moir, Store Manager (right) Head teacher Mrs Mary Scott is second from left and Sandra Osborne MP is the one holding the spade The parents and families of the pupils had collected 2,500 vouchers towards the equipment which included spades, towels, forks and gloves.


Pupils at Carrick Academy have helped the school take a huge leap forward in becoming a more environmentally-friendly school. The Pupil Council and the pupils' Eco School's Group came up with the idea of purchasing attractive new litter bins both on campus and 'down the street'. The Eco Group were concerned at the litter being dropped coming to and from the school and the nuisance this was causing to local residents and businesses. Tackling the litter issue will also help the school gain its Green Flag status under the Eco Schools Scotland scheme. more

As part of their annual Health Focus Caroline McKenzie and Hugh Ward from Somerfields provided Cairn Primary with a huge range of fruit and vegetables to taste. Liz and David presented the food so appetisingly that all the children were tempted to try something, even the butternut squash, and the Nursery children greatly impressed by identifying an avocado.

Cairn Primary Go Bananas in Pyjamas For Fair Trade! Cairn Primary had a great day on Friday 6th March promoting Fair Trade bananas and trying to break a world record! Every child and even some of the staff (!) dressed up in their PJs for the morning and everyone got a free Fair Trade banana to eat to try to break the World Record for the simultaneous eating of a banana! An assembly focusing on Fair Trade concepts was held and the children all had a great time! Everyone now knows a lot more about fair Trade products too!


Pupils at St. Cuthbert’s Primary School have been celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight by hosting a Bananarama Fairtrade Day. The theme for Fairtrade Fortnight this year was bananas and as such the children were involved in various activities from baking banana loaves and cookies to learning about how to grow bananas successfully. The children had a fantastic day while supporting a worthwhile cause. Head teacher Mrs Miller said, “St. Cuthbert’s Primary is keen to promote the message of Fairtrade to their families and local community while helping producers get a fair deal for their produce. We would encourage everybody, where possible, to look for the Fairtrade logo and support this cause!”

Cairn and St Cuthbert’s Primaries together in Maybole Town Hall. What better way to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns than with a dramatisation of one his best loved works. Last week all primary school pupils in Maybole had the chance to enjoy drama, music and dance which brought to life the story of Tam o’ Shanter and his horse Meg as they battled against the storm to confront the devil himself! Two performances by the Takeaway Theatre Company were booked for the Town Hall but the first one, for Gardenrose pupils, had to be moved to the school due to the weather when snow fell on the town last Wednesday. more

It snowed again in Maybole last week and these three young members of Gardenrose Nursery had a great time playing in it last Wednesday, March 4. They even decided to throw snowballs at our local correspondent!

Pupils from St. Cuthbert’s Primary celebrated World Book Day on 5th March 2009 by dressing up as a character from a favourite book. During they day they took part in competitions, quizzes and team games all based on books. All of the children were presented with a book token to mark the event which will go towards helping the children buy even more of their favourite reads. A great time was had by all! Winners P.1/2/3 – Reece Mitchell - who went as Pinnochio P.4/5 Rebecca Campbell - who went as a vet P.6/7 Ryan Sallens – who went as Prince Caspian from the Tales of Narnia.

Photos by Tony Kerrigan

St Cuthbert’s Primary school’s latest Year of the Homecoming event was something extra special when pupils from Primaries 4,5,6 and 7 held their Burns Supper in the fabulous setting of Blairquhan Castle. Listed number 14 by the Independent newspaper in their list of the 50 best places to get married in the world, Blairquhan provided a magnificent venue for the event. The castle also “starred” in the award winning film The Queen, starring Helen Mirren. The pupils, as well as teachers, families and friends were welcomed to the castle by Sir Patrick Hunter Blair who told them of a special connection of a member of his family to Scotland’s national poet. more

Cairn PS Burns Competition Winner. 1st Place only and 1st, 2nd & 3rd places.) Winners’ names and classes. P1/2 – 1st Alan Currie 2nd Holly McCallum 3rd Nadia Millar P2/3 – 1st Sophie Tait 2nd Cassi Watson 3rd Logan McClounie P3/4 – 1st Sarah McElroy 2nd Ebony MacPherson 3rd Wallace Connell P4/5 – 1st Kayley Campbell 2nd Emily Purdie 3rd Gayle Campbell P5/6 – 1st Robbie Davis 2nd Kieran Robb 3rd Donna Loy P7 - 1st Rebecca Kirkwood 2nd Erin Kennedy 3rd Chloe Cuthbert

The complete text of the headlines above and more articles follow below.

Another one bites the dust. Another of Maybole’s landmark buildings has been demolished. From the mid 19th century, the famous firm of Alexander Jack & Sons produced every type of implement for farm work. Their products were exhibited at agricultural shows and exported to farmers in Canada, Australia, etc. The firm started their own moulding shop for the metal work required, employed their own fellers for the timber, and their own painters, sawyers, cartwrights, etc., and produced the finished implements from raw materials. They experimented on improvements to ploughs, grubbers, turnip, sowers and were the first to make rubber-tyred wheels for carts in 1932 and produced the famous Oliver ploughs.

The building was latterly the head office of International Packaging Corporation (Interpak) who made presentation cases. Mr Jack, had begun business at Auchendrane in 1840, purchased the ground in Maybole in 1852 and built the works to his own design. In 1967, the premises were purchased by Maybole Town Council and part of it was resold the same year to the American firm of International Packaging Corporation who completely modernised the buildings to provide 60,000 square feet of factory and office space. Another part of the old works was taken over by the firm of William McCulloch & Son who were formerly blacksmiths in Maidens. Now the main building is only a memory – although its history can be seen on this website.

There was a fantastic result for the three Carrick Academy pupils who took part in the Ayrshire Music Festival on Saturday March 14. The event was the under 14 march and the result was: 1st Scott Barrie from Maybole 2nd William Limond, Kirkmichael 3rd Euan Andrew, Crosshill - a clean sweep for Carrick! All the boys are first year pupils tutored by Kieron McPate. After this event Scott went to Alloway church to compete in the World Burns Federation schools competition and won first prize, then it was on to Newton on Ayr church hall where he got third place in the under 18 competition.

Carrick Goes Green!

Pupils at Carrick Academy have helped the school take a huge leap forward in becoming a more environmentally-friendly school. The Pupil Council and the pupils' Eco School's Group came up with the idea of purchasing attractive new litter bins both on campus and 'down the street'.

The Eco Group were concerned at the litter being dropped coming to and from the school and the nuisance this was causing to local residents and businesses. Tackling the litter issue will also help the school gain its Green Flag status under the Eco Schools Scotland scheme.

Designs for the new bins were generated in Miss Turner's S1 Art classes with the Pupil Council selecting the top 10 designs. Funding for the bins came from the Pupil Council's Determined to Succeed money who have previously purchased picnic tables and an 'anti-bullying' CCTV system.

Pictured with their own designs are the 10 winners from the design-a-bin competition. The Eco Group are pictured with the three Carrick Academy - School of Ambition bins which will soon be on display in the High Street.

John Gamble, foreman of South Ayrshire Council’s Cleansing section in Maybole, has kindly offered to install the bins in the town.

The Eco Group are now seeking local businesses to help them tackle litter in the community by sponsoring small prizes for their 'Golden Bin' competitions. The Eco Group plan to 'stake out' the new bins at lunchtimes to monitor use and hand out 'golden tickets' for every 10th pupil to use the bin! An ingenious and fun way to help the environment!

Carrick Academy's U15 girls side defeated Murrayfield Wanderers by 43-27 (after extra time) recently to make it through to the Scottish Cup Semi Final. The girls were simply outstanding playing against a side that they had never defeated, they give their all and after 60 minutes of play both teams were tied at 22 - 22. However, the Carrick girls never gave up and scored 3 tries in extra time to take them through to the semi finals. The team was: Lauren Wardrop, Emma McClung, Emma Alexander, Eilidh Thomson, Amber Johnstone, Paige McCurdie, Louise Cochrane, Eilidh Blondin, Catherine Easter, Caitlin Hughes, Chloe Coburn, Melissa Scobie, Georgina Limond and Georgia Wallace. The scorers were: Louise Cochrane (2 tries) Eilidh Blondin (1 Try) Cathrine Easter (3 Tries) Emma Alexander (1 Try and 4 Con) Last season Murrayfield defeated Carrick by 60 points, what a difference a year makes!!! Carrick have now been drawn at home to Monklands or Aboyne V Nairn in the last 4.

CAIRN PRIMARY EASTER FAYRE Cairn Primary School held an Easter Fayre last Saturday, March 21 from 10am till noon and children and adults thoroughly enjoyed the fun as well as raising over £600.. Arts and crafts were very popular and there was tombola, lucky dips, teas & coffees, a raffle, costume jewellery, kids games and lots more!!! Children’s flower pots and fridge magnets are still available to purchase at the school. The Parent Council would like to say a very big “thank you” to all staff and parents for their help and donations.

Listed number 14 by the Independent newspaper in their list of the 50 best places to get married in the world, Blairquhan provided a magnificent venue for the event.

The castle also “starred” in the award winning film The Queen, starring Helen Mirren.

The pupils, as well as teachers, families and friends were welcomed to the castle by Sir Patrick Hunter Blair who told them of a special connection of a member of his family to Scotland’s national poet.

When Robert Burns had arrived in Edinburgh in 1786 after the publication of his first book of poems, he had been welcomed by Sir James Hunter Blair, the Lord Provost of the city. On his death, the poet wrote his Elegy On The Death Of Sir James Hunter Blair.

On behalf of the pupils, Christiane Martin welcomed everyone and hoped they would have a great evening.

Those contributing to the evening included:

Fr Stephen McGrattan Selkirk Grace

Rachel Campbell Address to the Haggis

Deaglán and Dara Hunter Blair Haggis bearers

P 4/5 The world must be coming to an end

Patrick McCahill The conductress

Jason Tomlinson My Hoggie

Zak Tomlinson Jenny wi’ the mumps

Rebecca Campbell and Suilven Hunter The Immortal Memory

P 4 – 7 Skyscraper wean

Zak Roy Toast to the Lassies

Ronan McDowall Willie Wassle

Sam Currie To a Mouse

Alex Cook Address to the Toothache

P 7 Red yo yo

P 6/7 Janitor McKay

Amy Malone Reply from the Lassies

Jodie Brownlee Vote of Thanks

In addition threr were songs from Miss Carswell, Mrs Miller and Bliss.

The school staff and pupils would like to thank Morrisons Supermarket and We Hae Meat Butchers in Girvan for their contributions to the evening.

They would also like to thank Bliss for giving up their time to provide the musical entertainment and a special thanks to Sir Patrick and Lady Marguerite Hunter Blair for the use of the castle and to their staff for all their help.

Young parishioners at Our Lady and St Cuthbert’s, Maybole, had a taste of what it is like to belong to a Mountain Rescue team last weekend. Kenny Mackay, Johnnie Colquhoun and Ray McCutcheon from Galloway Mountain Rescue, gave both a visual and a hands-on demonstration of the methods and equipment employed by the Mountain Rescue service when they need to respond to a situation. Lots of good advice on how to prepare for hill-walking was offered to the young people, too. After the slideshow, the young people were shown how the mountain rescuers care for a casualty of a climbing accident, keeping him or her talking and explaining what they are going to do to help.

Sometimes the injured person needs airlifted to safety. The group had a chance to use the vacuum stretcher which goes from soft to rigid when evacuated, holding the spine and other limbs in position without much movement. The casualty can then be safely transferred onto a metal stretcher which may be attached to a helicopter winch. The teenagers especially enjoyed binding Fr Stephen McGrattan up in the stretcher! A demonstration of the features and equipment on board the mountain rescue vehicle was also given. But it wasn’t all just theory. On the edge of a terrace on the hill in front of the church, a scenario had been arranged where all the young people had to work as a team. They put into practice all that they learned about mountain rescue earlier on in the day. Ray, one of the team, had fallen and broken his leg.

Together the young people kept him calm (he was screaming and shouting), strapped up his broken limb, placed him on the vacuum stretcher and transferred him to the metal stretcher. This allowed him to be carried across the hill and up the path to the mountain rescue vehicle which would take him for medical care. Of course, this was all for pretend, although Ray was a convincing casualty! The young rescuers worked very well as a team. After their efforts, tea, coffee, juice, rolls and pizza were welcomed by the mountain rescuers. The parish is very grateful to Galloway Mountain Rescue whose website is www.gallowaymrt.org.uk. Kenny Mackay said later, “We thought the kids did exceptionally well, they could well make budding Mountain Rescuers one day. We would like to thank Our Lady and St Cuthbert’s for making a donation to the Team which was gratefully received.”

The parishes of Our Lady and St Cuthbert, Maybole and St Ann, Mossblown welcomed Matthew Barr of sixth year at Queen Margaret Academy to speak at Masses last weekend. Matthew is one of a group of 11 pupils who, last summer, travelled to Badagry, a small fishing village on the south coast of Nigeria. The reason for their trip was to build the foundations of a much-needed health clinic in an area where health care is lacking and under-resourced. The building of the clinic is being overseen by the Franciscan Sisters who presently provide health care in the area. Queen Margaret Academy, together with associated parishes and primary schools, has been raising the funds to make the idea a reality. In the last two years they have raised £40,000. The target to be reached is £150,000 so they still have some way to go.

The parish councils of Maybole and Mossblown decided to give the collection taken on Christmas Day to the project in Badagry and between the two parishes a magnificent total of £1,600 was raised. Fr Stephen McGrattan presented Matthew Barr with a cheque for this amount at the end of his talk. In return, Matthew Barr thanked Fr McGrattan, and gave him some traditional Nigerian headwear. Fr McGrattan is photographed wearing the Nigerian hat and presenting the cheque to Matthew on behalf of the parishioners.

Maybole’s new Age Concern centre is now open for business. A Management Committee is in place and its members are looking forward to welcoming the elderly residents of Maybole and the surrounding villages to their building in School Vennel. Officebearers are Irene Moledina (Chair), Frank Potter (Secretary) and Derek Walker (Treasurer) with the rest of the committee Mel Balfour, Pearl Barton, Maureen Fox, Ian Paterson, Rina Paterson, Brian Pluthero and Helen Whitefield. The new centre is currently open from 10am to 3pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays for the elderly to drop in for tea, coffee and chat. The committee is also looking for volunteers to help staff the building for a few hours a week. Photo shows left to right: Frank Potter, Rina Paterson, Irene Moledina, Ian Paterson, Derek Walker, Brian Pluthero and Pearl Barton

From Carrick Academy

This weeks Results:

Monday -

Marr U13 13 - 11 Carrick U13

Best performance of the season so far. Our boys were very unlucky not to win.

Marr U14 22 - 7 Carrick U14

Our boys played very well and gave Marr a much better game than earlier in the season.

Wednesday - Ayrshire Schools 7s Tournament

Carrick U13 18 - 3 Greenwood U13

Carrick U13 36 - 0 Kyle U13 (Carrick won pool B)

Semi Final

Carrick 0 - 10 Marr

Friday -

Carrick U15 10 -32 Lurgan College U16

The boys played against a much bigger and older side but gave their all. The half time score was 10-10 but the Irish teams greater strength showed through in the second half. However this was another great experience for our boys to mix with pupils from other countries. The after match hospitality was again enjoyed by all. Many thanks to Mrs Clark and Mrs Shearer for preparing the after match food.

Carrick 2nd XV 12 - 10 Queen Margaret 1st XV

Our boys played well against a very good QM side. This results puts us to the top of the table with 3 games to go.

Saturday 14th March -

Two buses are attending the Scotland V Ireland. Georgia Wallace is the match mascot.

The Pontoon Golf Club held its annual presentation of prizes last Saturday evening

Winners were:

March medal M Thomson

Bogey Comp R McDowall

April medal R Eccles

Spring outing C Milligan

May medal R Green

Stableford R Green

Capt Prize A Thorburn

Hannah Trophy K McSorley

Summer Outing R Green

June medal R Green

C Milligan Trophy S Johnston

July medal R Scott

Judy Shaw Trophy R Scott

Vice/Capts Prize R Eccles

S Davidson Trophy R Green

Founders Trophy M Thomson

Millenium Trophy D Strang

Winter Outing R Johnston

Sept Medal S Johnston

Seniors Trophy R Scott

October medal P Conway

Medal Aggregate R Scott

C McKelvie Trophy R Eccles

Birdie Comp R Green

Aggregate Trophy R Scott

Stone Of Shame K McSorley