March 2011

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March 2011


Lesley Bloomer, Exec Director, on walking tour of Maybole – looking at former Co-op building	Former Co-op building		Seeing the problems of the High Street at first hand

Members of Maybole Community Council met with councillors and officials of South Ayrshire Council last week to raise awareness of a range of issues and matters of concern. The meeting also provided the opportunity to meet Lesley Bloomer who has only been in her post as Executive Director – Development and Environment for a few months. David Kiltie, who chaired the meeting said that some matters are subject to ongoing discussions with the Council, but the community council and local Elected Members felt that it was important that Ms Bloomer was appraised of their concerns. more

NO to Congestion – YES to By-Pass” That’s the slogan for Maybole’s latest campaign to get a by-pass for the town and it is featured on new car stickers which were launched last weekend. The town’s By-pass Committee had invited designs for the car stickers with a prize of an i-pod nano and the winner was 11 year old Rory Galloway, a P7 pupil at Gardenrose Primary. Rory was presented with his prize by David Kiltie, chair of Maybole Community Council, at the launch in Maybole Town Hall last Saturday morning. more

Toasting the Maybole By-pass! Although the McCubbins have been involved for many years in the battle to have a Maybole By-pass, they had to miss the event on Saturday past due to a prior engagement. The prior engagement was to celebrate their Golden Wedding in Edinburgh where they spent their honeymoon 50 years ago! Bill and Rena were married in Irvine on March 25th 1961 and they set up home at 32 High Street, Maybole where they lived for 14 years and subsequently moved to Queens Terrace where they have lived for the past 36 years. They have a son Scott, a daughter Rona and granddaughter Meghan. more

At a meeting last week, representatives of the Private, Public and Community sectors agreed on the need for all to work together to make the most of opportunities to increase tourism in Carrick. more

Maybole Community Council recently received the good news that they had been awarded a grant from Carrick Futures of almost £12,000 to carry out a refresh of Maybole High Street. Community Councillors set up a working group and made contact with a large number of shop keepers and proprietors of ground level premises. more

The Carrick Centre building is making great progress. The erectors are continuing putting up the 'glulam' framework beams. The Carrick Centre is looking for the views of both youths and adults. Those completing the survey can choose to be entered into a draw to win one of two £25 vouchers for Argos. The draw will take place at the end of April 2011. Visit the site to take the survey now!

Maybole Parish Church and Carrick Centre Fashion Show by Debenhams of Ayr will be held in Maybole Town Hall Friday May 6th at 7.30pm Entry is £5 which will include a glass of wine and there will be a raffle Tickets are available from committee members or from Carrick Centre Development Office in the School Vennel. more

Parishioners at Our Lady & St Cuthbert’s Church in Maybole have known for some years that the tracery window on the gable of the church was crumbling and would need attention. The urgency of this work was highlighted when parts of the stonework holding the window in place crumbled and fell to the ground. This meant that serious repair work would have to be started and funds raised. Last week the work started and Fr Philip Kitchen was on site to see what was required in this huge project. more

World Youth Day – Race Night A fantastic total of £2400 was raised at a race night held to raise funds for eight of young parishioners of Our Lady & St Cuthbert’s Church who will be attending World Youth Day in Madrid later this year. Ali, Caoimhe, Meadhbh, Owen, Paige, Patrick, Rhiain and Simone would like to thank everyone involved especially all their families, friends, parishioners and sponsors, who without their ongoing support and donations, this pilgrimage would not be possible. The group have managed to raise over £4500 so far with a further £1200 required for the end of April.

Lodge St John No.11 held its annual Burns Supper on Saturday 12th March. RWM Hugh Mundell welcomed the guests and handed over to Chairman Alistair Hastings. The Haggis was piped in by Paul Gray, and addressed by Willie Cuthbert. The Immortal Memory was proposed by David Rae of Lodge Tarbolton (Kilwinning) St James 135, the lodge of Robert Burns. Gavin Barrie, also of Tarbolton, toasted the Lassies in a very amusing style. The company was further entertained by recitations and song from Davie Anderson, John Porter, Gus Geddes and Jim Cartner.

The Pontoon Golf Club held their annual prize night on Saturday 5th March 2011. Winners below. Club Championship - R Eccles, March Medal - K McKeown, Bogey Competition - R Eccles/ K McSorely, April Medal - A Campbell, Vice Captain Medal- R Eccles, Spring Outing - K McKeown, May Medal - M Thomson, Stableford - K McSorely, Hannah Trophy - W Westcott, C Milligan Trophy - P Conway, Summer Outing - K McKeown, July Medal - P Conway, Judy Shaw Trophy - C Hutchison, August Medal - P Conway, S Davidson Trophy - K McSorely, 5 Club Trophy - K McKeown September Medal D Strang C McKelvie Trophy K McKeown Seniors Outing P Conway, October Medal - P Conway, Founders Trophy - K McKeown, Millennium Trophy - P Conway, Winter Outing - A Campbell, Final Medal - M Thomson, Last Chance B Murphy

In May 1975, Maybole Town Council went out with a splash when the town’s swimming pool was officially opened by Provost William Cuthbert and a group of town councillors. Provost Cuthbert officially accepted the keys to the new pool from Brian Harvey of contractor Laidlaw. Staff had been appointed a few months earlier and among the first to join was young cashier Helen Currie. more

The annual schools swimming gala was held at Maybole pool on recently and Gardenrose Primary finished as winners They also won the Girls Relay. Cairn Primary won the Boys Relay and Crosshill Primary won the Best Village competition The gala was organised by Maybole Amateur Swimming Club and nine schools took part.

Cairn Primary held a fantastic Literacy Week recently, called ‘Reading Rules!’. Children dressed up as their favourite character from a story or other text, and another day dressed up in their pyjamas for ‘bedtime stories’. They brought their favourite books to school to read, and enthusiastic parents and Matthew Fitt, co-author of Itchy-Coo books, came in to work and read with our classes too. Renee Gillan, librarian from Carnegie Library, came in to do BookBug with the infants and to read and talk about books with other classes. more

Cairn Nursery children in Maybole aren’t afraid of a bit of cold! They pulled on their wee red rain suits recently and ventured out into the snow. All cheeks were glowing, including Nursery staff, and a great time was had by all. Staff hope next time they’ll see them is in amongst the daffodils with the sun out though.

Cairn children in their Red Nose Assembly. Pupils and staff at Cairn Primary School joined in Red Nose Day fundraising by going to school dressed in as much red as possible and buying red noses to match. Pupils took part in lots of fun activities organised by the P5/6 class and everyone had a great time. A big thank you to all parents, staff and pupils who raised over £250 for the charity. Well done to everyone!

Pupils at Gardenrose Primary organised a concert for Red Nose Day “Gardenrose has got talent”

Gardenrose pupils took part in the recent schools competition organised by the Ayrshire Association of Burns Clubs. Zoe Inglis won the Clarinda Cup, singing Loch Lomond, and Lewis Campbell took second place for Scots Wha Hae. They now go on to the finals in Lockerbie. Others taking part were: Aimee McCulloch – Rantin’, rovin’, Robin Ryan Speirs – Tam o’ Shanter Anna Fergusson – To a mouse Zoe Lamont – Willie Wastle

Congratulations to the two Gardenrose Primary pupils who were successful at the recent Ayrshire Music Festival. Vicki Green took first with her trombone and Aimee McCulloch was second with her flugel horn. Vicki is on the right of the photo

Alex Sallens (P4 pupil of St Cuthbert’s Primary School) travelled to Edinburgh last Thursday to be presented with her prize for winning an art competition organised by the Scottish Arts Council. This was a homework activity, Alex and her Mum drew their representation of their family taking part in an activity they enjoy which was Alex and her Mum skiing in Aviemore. Her friends in school helped her celebrate this wonderful achievement. Well done, Alex!

Gardenrose Primary Inclusion Group, known as the GIs planned and delivered their very own Inclusion Olympics in partnership with Active Schools. The GIs are part of a South Ayrshire wide network of school Inclusion Squads. The Network provides opportunities to consult, open dialogue and discussion and give a platform to air ideas and concerns relating to the needs of pupils who have disabilities/additional support needs and their peers. All pupils within Gardenrose from Nursery to Primary 7 were given the opportunity to participate in Inclusion Games which included Boccia, New Age Curling and Powerball. The sessions were all led by members of the Gardenrose Inclusion Group who demonstrated activities and worked hard to ensure everyone had an enjoyable activity packed day.

Eco Committee group pic: Cairn Primary had an “Earth Hour” assembly on Friday when the Eco Committee gave an excellent power point presentation explaining to their fellow pupils why switching off their lights on Saturday was so important. All the kids at Assembly: Who needs the lights on when you have a room full of Cairn DAY-GLOW kids!

“Cairn Primary’s P2 class have been learning all about the seashore and have designed 3-D seaside models at home as homework. As you can see from the photograph, what a fabulous job they made of them!! Well done P2! The class will be visiting the seashore at Culzean later in the term when the weather warms up a bit (fingers crossed!)”

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

Before taking a short walking tour of the town it was agreed that the list of topics would include the old Co-op building in Whitehall, Maybole High Street Regeneration, Maybole Bypass, Maybole Castle, the flag Pole at Greenside, parking at the railway station, litter and dog fouling, the Pathfinder project, the Cemetery controversy, Winter Gritting and Christmas Lighting. Attending the meeting for the community council were David Kiltie, chair, Peter Mason, Mark Fletcher, and Roy Birnie; Councillors Brian Connolly, Ann Galbraith, Sandra Goldie and Mairi Low; Lesley Bloomer, Mike Newall, and Richard Cairns.

Councillor Connolly said, “The meeting built on the already strong relationship between Maybole Community Council and SAC officers and allowed the Director of Development and Environment, Lesley Bloomer, to see at first hand some of the town’s long-standing concerns. In particular, the project to improve the appearance of the older buildings within the High Street and the safety concerns , particularly for schoolchildren , in the area of the Greenside. The time spent in Maybole can only be positive for the town.”

Last week the work started and Fr Philip Kitchen was on site to see what was required in this huge project. He said, “The initial fundraising started before we even looked for quotations and taking engineering advice. “Along with my predecessor, Fr Stephen McGrattan, the parish finance committee and the parish council discussed the repairs and how we could fund them.

“Families and individuals made donations; we took the charity shop; bingo and 150 Club fundraising; car washes run by young parishioners; filling Smarties tubes with 20p pieces (each tube holds £15); a race night; regular contribution to the parish building fund special collections; and everyone was invited to gift aid their donation as if they paid tax every £1 becomes £1.28. “Canon Keegans and parishioners of St Margaret’s Cathedral in Ayr generously offered to help us as well with our fundraising. “I would like to thank everyone for their generosity in supporting the parish financially and with their gifts.”

The repair work is being carried out by Thomson Masonry, a specialist stonemasonry company which has been involved in the restoration of Iona Abbey, Rosslyn Chapel, the Crown Steeple of St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, Dumfries House, Mount Stuart House on the Isle of Bute and many other projects.

Staff had been appointed a few months earlier and among the first to join was young cashier Helen Currie. Just over thirty six years later Helen has sold her last swim ticket as she retired at the weekend with best wishes from colleagues, swimmers and some of the many families she has come to know over the years.

Helen has enjoyed her time at the pool and watched different generations of families learn to swim, forging great relationships with the young swimmers as they have grown up to become parents themselves and then brought their children to the pool. She says she found it lovely to be accepted by them as Helen and not Mrs Currie and has had some great conversations with them. It’s something she will miss.

On Friday there was a presentation from manager Robert Hammond and on Saturday colleagues had the cashier’s desk decorated with banners and balloons to remind Helen of what was happening! Now she will be spending her time gardening, walking her dog and running, accompanied by her husband. Everyone wishes her a long and healthy retirement.

Maybole’s 25 metre swimming pool cost £150,000 to build in 1975 and it was “baptised” by about fifty primary school pupils. As well as taking pride in the achievement of building the pool, Provost Cuthbert made special mention of the assistance of Ayr County Council officials in completing the project. Both council ceased to exist on May 15, 1975 and were replaced by Strathclyde Regional Council and Kyle and Carrick District Council.

They have a son Scott, a daughter Rona and granddaughter Meghan. Bill was a television engineer and Rena ran their shop in the High Street for many years. Bill subsequently worked for Prestwick Circuits and Rena worked in various shops in the town. Their main interest in life has been the town of Maybole and politics. Bill has served both as Town and District Councillor. They celebrated their anniversary with Andrew Proudfoot and his wife. Andrew was best man at their wedding and taught for a time at Carrick Academy and was a school friend of Bill’s. They have been friends for over 60 years. The day included a visit to Holyrood Palace, the Parliament, the royal yacht Britannia and culminating in an evening in the hotel that was the Scotsman building.

‘Reading Rules!’ at Cairn Primary School

They also held a Contemporary Scots Literacy day, and Primary 2 designed and made signs for all round the school in Scots. Their favourite one was ‘Wheesht in the lobby!’ Primary 7 are even re-modelling the School Rules into Scots! P4-7 watched celebrated author Eoin Colfer’s podcast live via the internet, and loved it.

The Eco Committee ran a secondhand book stall all week, and it raised £72 for more books for the school. They held an Usborne Book Fair on the last day, which hopefully will help raise even more funds for the school library collection too. Pupils took part in a whole school homework task- designing a book jacket. Libby Purdie, Emma Dickie and Cailan Hart won 1st prizes for their efforts in Upper, Middle and Infant school. Pupils started writing a real book of Scary Stories, which will be published and sold, it will include short stories from every child in school from the Nursery to Primary 7. They just can’t wait!

Parents were invited to a Homelink Reading workshop designed to introduce our new Homelink Book Scheme, based on Blooms Taxonomy of Reading Skills, and help answer any questions about how to help children at home with reading. The whole school took part in an Interactive Reading Survey at the end of the week using Activote. Everyone agreed that the Reading Rules Literacy Week had been a huge success, helped their Reading Skills, and that they should definitely do it again Huge thanks to all who helped make it a success.

NEW IMPETUS FOR TOURISM IN CARRICK

At a meeting last week, representatives of the Private, Public and Community sectors agreed on the need for all to work together to make the most of opportunities to increase tourism in Carrick.

The meeting was hosted by Councillor Alec Oattes on behalf of the Carrick Community Councils’ Forum and drew 35 people including senior figures from all 3 sectors. Presentations covered the background to efforts to increase tourism; current initiatives at the Ayrshire, South Ayrshire and Carrick levels; and current and future opportunities to increase the number of visitors to the area.

The most recent comprehensive figures for tourism in Ayrshire and Arran are from 2009. They show that around 1.4m people visited South Ayrshire and spent £162m. Total income from tourism across all of Ayrshire and Arran was £342m – around 3% of the tourism income to Scotland as a whole. Participants in the meeting pointed out that 2009 was the ‘Year of the Homecoming’, which had a strong emphasis on Golf and Burns. As such it is likely to have been a relatively good year for South Ayrshire. In a typical year, Ayrshire and Arran’s share of the overall income is likely to be less than 3% of the Scottish total: a fact that simply underlines the need to increase efforts to bring more visitors into this area.

North, East and South Ayrshire Councils, together with other partners, have developed a ‘brand’ to help to create an identity for the region. Launched in 2010, the brand, known as the ‘swoosh’, is to be used in publicity and marketing not only to promote tourism but across a range of other sectors including encouraging inward investment to the area.

Another all-Ayrshire initiative, the Ayrshire Economic Partnership (AEP), aims to provide a ‘concise strategic direction to the sustainable economic performance of Ayrshire & Arran’. That partnership between the Public and Private sectors has identified Tourism as 1 of 5 drivers of growth in the Ayrshire economy. The others are Renewable Energy, Engineering, Marine & Coastal, and Food & Drink. Their “LOVE Ayrshire” tourism initiative was launched last month. It includes a commitment from the AEP to develop and then deliver a 5-year tourism strategy across Ayrshire as 1 entity.

Speaking after the meeting, Peter Mason, Chair of the Carrick Community Councils’ Forum, commented on tourism projects that are either happening or are about to happen in Carrick. He said, “Several of the presentations talked about things that people are already doing to try to increase visitor numbers in Carrick. That includes the ongoing work to develop and market the Carrick Way, work on a Pilgrims’ Trail with Crossraquel Abbey at its centre, work to raise the profile of Sawney Bean’s cave, and many more.

“The Forum itself has just started a short project with funding from Leader and South Ayrshire Council’s Rural Panel. That will produce a database of accommodation and other tourist businesses in Carrick. We’ll use the database to increase communication and co-operation within the tourism sector. Just as importantly, we’ll use it to underpin the next tourism project that we have planned. We want to work with individual towns and villages in Carrick to identify icons specific to each community. Then we’ll work with local artists to design and install artworks in each place and then we’ll encourage people to come to Carrick and to visit all of the icons.”

Mr Mason continued, “My overall impression from the meeting is that we have plenty of good ideas and projects in Carrick. We’ve got lots of energy in the Forum and in individual communities and we’ve got resources in the shape of windfarm community benefit funds to match potential Leader and other funding.

“The people from our communities were saying very clearly that they’re happy to work with initiatives at the Ayrshire level. We’re happy to fit in with higher level strategies and brands. At the same time, the community won’t sit back and wait for higher level partnerships to come to us. Our people need the jobs that will come from increased tourism and we need to progress with that right now.”

Several proposals were put forward during the meeting. One of these was to capitalise on the Homecoming 2014 which will take place in the year that Scotland hosts the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup and marks the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn. David Kiltie, Chair of Maybole Community Council, pointed out during the meeting, “Robert the Bruce, who led the Scots at Bannockburn, was born in Turnberry. Surely, we in Carrick should be making the most of that connection in the marketing of the 2nd Homecoming. It’s a huge opportunity but we need to get started now.”

This and other ideas from the meeting will be taken forward by the Carrick Community Councils’ Forum through its Tourism sub-committee. More information is available from Julia Whitaker at Ailsa horizons on 014765 710628.

Further details from: Peter Mason, 01655 882660; Julia Whitaker 01465 710628

Carrick were victorious 29-13 in what was a welcome return to winning form after a poor showing against McLaren last week. From the start Carrick dominated possession and territory against a larger but less mobile Clydesdale pack. Tries from Nick Rossi and Fraser Thomson in the first half which were converted by Euan McGregor gave Carrick the advantage at the end of the first half. In the second half Scott Alexander powered over the line after some impressive phases of forwards play to round of an excellent performance from Carrick on the whole. Next Week Carrick Play Paisley away from home. Squad: N. Rossi; F. Thomson; R. Knight; E. Alexander; S. Bryden; E. McGregor; S. Birnie; W. Wyllie; W. Deans; S. McReath; M.Eaglesham; S. Alexander; D. Templeton; C. Reid; E. McKay