May 30th 2003

 DAILLY’S DAVID HUNTER AWARDED JOHN STRAWHORN QUAICH David Hunter, the well known local historian and expert on the area around Carrick, has received some long overdue recognition for his work. Recently made one of the first honorary members of Maybole Historical Society, David is the 2003 recipient of the John Strawhorn Quaich awarded annually by the Ayrshire Federation of Historical Societies for outstanding contributions in the field of local and family history in Ayrshire.  more

At last week's AGM of Maybole Community Council, three main office bearers were re-elected. David Kiltie remains chairman, Peter Mason vice-chairman and Anne Walker continues as secretary. The position of treasurer will be filled at the next monthly meeting. Community Councils in South Ayrshire are elected for a three year term and this coming year is the final one of the current term. In his annual report for 2002/03 David Kiltie commented first of all on last year's celebrations to mark the community council's 25th anniversary.  Two concerts had been held in a "Musical Showcase" to mark the anniversary and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.  more

May 23rd 2003

May 16th 2003

May 9th 2003

 MAYBOLE Access Point (MAP) has a new service which should be of great benefit to local people. For they can now get free use of a phone, in a private room, and get straight through to agencies like the Job Centre, Welfare Rights, the Bridge Project, NHS 24, the Social Work Department, South Ayrshire Council, the National Drugs Hotline, and Victim Support. Project manager Christine Kennedy said: “This service allows local people access to key agencies to answer relevant inquiries.” The MAP office currently has photographs of Old Maybole on display, and everyone is invited to pop in to have a look.

May 2nd 2003

May 30th 2003

DAILLY’S DAVID HUNTER AWARDED JOHN STRAWHORN QUAICH David Hunter, the well known local historian and expert on the area around Carrick, has received some long overdue recognition for his work. Recently made one of the first honorary members of Maybole Historical Society, David is the 2003 recipient of the John Strawhorn Quaich awarded annually by the Ayrshire Federation of Historical Societies for outstanding contributions in the field of local and family history in Ayrshire.

David Hunter left the army, joined the police and returned to his native Dailly to live. He had a keen interest in the local history of the area but as he asked around discovered that there was little local knowledge available to enlighten him on the past. He then set about learning as much as possible about the area around Dailly but discovered that the history of the area was intertwined with that of the surrounding district and had to broaden his horizons to the whole of Carrick, and subsequently to a large part of South West Scotland. The depth of his knowledge of the history of Carrick from the prehistoric hill forts to the present day is second to none and he happily shares this with any group who are interested. Sadly David’s health is no longer as good as it used to be and he has had to curtail his speaking engagements. As recently as last summer he provided the members of Girvan and Maybole Historical Societies with guided tours of Dalquharran Castles and grounds, and Old and New Dailly Kirkyards as well as training members of Maybole Historical Society to take over the guided tours of old Maybole and Maybole Castle which he himself had been providing for many years.

Of particular acclaim are David’s efforts to have Stumpy Tower in Girvan preserved and thereafter to provide a small display of Police memorabilia within, to preserve and maintain the ruins and family burial ground within Dalquharran estate and to collect and organise the artefacts which are included in the small Dailly Historical Society museum. He is currently looking for a new home for this latter collection due to conditions within the building making it untenable.

David has been a regular contributor of historical articles to the Ayrshire Post, Advrtiser Series and Carrick Gazette, has been heard on the radio as far away as South Africa on the subject of the "Blue Stones of Old Dailly" and has provided many short leaflets on the history of specific subjects such as Maybole Castle, Old Maybole, Old Dailly, Daily Churchyard, Dalquharran, Girvan and the Stumpy Tower and many more. The South Ayrshire Libraries publication of the Monumental Inscriptions in Barr is entirely the work of David Hunter and the more recent Troon & District Family History Society publication of the Monumental Inscriptions in the Kirkyards of Old and New Dailly is an edited version of David’s original work. David has also done a large amount of research on the coal fields and coal mines of the Girvan Valley and has allowed Maybole Historical Society to publish two of his works. The first, The Covenanters of Carrick, is now available and this will be followed soon by The Girvan Valley Coalfield.

At last week's AGM of Maybole Community Council, three main office bearers were re-elected. David Kiltie remains chairman, Peter Mason vice-chairman and Anne Walker continues as secretary. The position of treasurer will be filled at the next monthly meeting. Community Councils in South Ayrshire are elected for a three year term and this coming year is the final one of the current term. In his annual report for 2002/03 David Kiltie commented first of all on last year's celebrations to mark the community council's 25th anniversary.  Two concerts had been held in a "Musical Showcase" to mark the anniversary and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. With around 200 people on stage on Friday evening and 160 on Saturday evening," he said, "local musical talent certainly provided their audiences with some brilliant entertainment. " 

He continued, "The entertainment was a real extravaganza of a wide range of musical tastes with something to suit everyone. There was also lots of humour from old style plays to the hilarious antics of some of the young performers who had the audience in fits of laughter. Saturday night’s finale, which will long be remembered by those who were there, combined Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra and Maybole Pipe Band in "Flower of Scotland" and "Amazing Grace"  We had marvellous entertainment from very talented local people of all ages and all of them plus their teachers and leaders deserve our grateful thanks.  We also thank everyone who helped in any way, those who had helped backstage, front of house, committee members and especially Scott Crawford.

I would personally like to record once again my thanks for the gift given to me to mark 25 years as a member of the community council."  Maybole Community Council is represented on various local organisations including The Town Twinning Association, Maybole Community Development Group, Carrick Crime Prevention Panel, Carrick Community Transport Group, the local Sports Association, the Community Association, Maybole Sick Nursing Association, Maybole Carnegie 21st Century Halls Committee and the new Association of South Ayrshire Community Councils.  He commented on some activities with these groups and also on the success of the town's web site which had been highly commended in a national competition with a prize of £250 and a framed certificate presented by Magnus Magnusson.

Mr Kiltie paid tribute to web master Rich Pettit of Clearwater, Florida, USA, who traces his roots to Carrick’s capital and everyone who has contributed photographs, articles and memories to what has been described by many as a wonderful web site.  At the presentation ceremony in Edinburgh Calor Scotland communications manager Gavin Tomlinson had enthused: "The richness of the content on the Maybole site is exceptional."  Since then it has become even bigger achieving over 400,000 page hits a month for several months.

"Finally," said Mr Kiltie, " I would like to offer the thanks of Maybole Community Council to everyone who helped us in any way over the past 12 months.  Firstly, our politicians - George Foulkes, Cathy Jamieson, Alan Murray and especially Andy Hill, Leader of South Ayrshire Council. We congratulate those who were successful in the recent elections and include John McDowall who won in Girvan. He is a former member of this Community Council.  Special thanks, too, go to the staff of South Ayrshire Council, for their co-operation and assistance.

Secondly, all Town Hall Staff, for their help at our meetings and our public events.  There has been a certain amount of sadness too as we lost former members William Grant, Nan Bennett (Carmichael) and Robert Allanach. A great stalwart of the twinning and our local pipe band Jim Sym also died. Jim was a recipient of one of our special medallions.  Last but not least, community councillors, who have all played a role in the activities of the past year; with particular thanks to our office bearers for the work they put in.  Maybole Community Council must be one of the most active in South Ayrshire but this would not be possible without so much input from members, and co-operation from all who work with us.

Maybole Majorette & Dance School will mark its 20th anniversary with its latest display in the Town Hall.  They will present "Let's Dance" on Thursday June 5 and Friday June 6 at 7pm. Tickets cost £3 adults, £2 OAPs and primary schoolchildren, free for pre-school. Doors open at 6.30pm and tickets will be on sale on the night.

Our Lady & St Cuthbert's church will celebrate it 125th anniversary on Tuesday June 17. There will be a Mass of Thanksgiving on the night, followed by a social evening in the hall. Bishop Maurice Taylor will be there and former parish priests have also been invited. Parishioners have been asked to hand in any photographs or items which may be of interest and they will be put on display.

For some reason there seems to be confusion about the date for this year's gala day in Maybole. The date is Saturday June 21 with the parade leaving Carrick Academy at 1pm. On the Sunday previous, June 15, there will be a special service at Crossraguel Abbey at 3pm. On Monday June 16 a team quiz will be held with teams asked to contact Deb Creedy on 889560 as soon as possible. The annual Pet Show will be held as usual at Ladywell Stadium on Thursday June 19 at 6.30pm.

May 23rd 2003

MAYBOLE Branch of the Royal British Legion (Scotland) have finalised details of their parade to mark the 50th anniversary of the Queen s Coronation. It will be held on Sunday, June 8, and muster point is at the railway station at 9.45am, for a parade to the West Church building. The Rev Dave Whiteman, newly-appointed chaplain to the branch, will conduct the service. Local uniformed organisations are invited to join in, and a minibus will be available for those who are unable to walk.

AN open day was held in Maybole's Carnegie Building, as part of Adult Learners Week. And it was voted a great success by people in the town and North Carrick area who turned out. Local organisations taking part included May-Tag Training, Health Care, Maybole Access Point, Signposts Employment Initiative, Careers Scotland and Ayr College. Adult Learning development workers were also on hand with advice about becoming students or tutors. Maybole Historical Society attracted plenty of attention, and Community Education Officers outlined the local learning opportunities available in the area. Visitors also had the chance to browse through the Carnegie Library resources, helped by the professional staff. The event lasted from 10am till 3pm, and the main outcome was a significant increase in the awareness of people in the area to the array of learning opportunities available to everyone in the community. Community Education representative Carol George commented: "There was a genuine interest in the full range of learning opportunities. The people of North Carrick have shown that they have a real enthusiasm for knowledge and self development." For anyone who couldn't make it on the day, advice and guidance can be accessed through any of the above organisations. General information about learning opportunities is available from Community Education, in the Carnegie Building, Maybole, every Monday till Friday in office hours.

A BLIND man was hit by a car while crossing a road in Maybole And the shocking accident has fuelled increased demands for a bypass. The middle-aged man was knocked clean off his feet in the town's Cassillis Road. And he was lucky to escape with a broken nose and a broken thumb. A man who was at the scene immediately after the accident said: "I thought he was a goner. He was lying there motionless." But the blind man's high level of personal fitness may have saved him from more serious injury. The man's Golden Retriever guide dog had even more of a miracle escape - as it was closest to the direction the car was coming from. But somehow it wasn't hurt - although it ran off traumatised. And the dog is having to be re-trained by Guide Dogs for the Blind. The blind man is said to be extremely anxious about going back out on to the streets of Maybole. The man at the accident scene said: "The car driver said he didn't see either the blind man or his dog." The accident occurred around 11am in the morning, as the man crossed from Kirkland Street towards the Interpak building.

A DANCE to raise funds for Macmillan Nurses will be held in Maybole next Saturday (May 31). Anyone who would like a ticket is asked to contact Lorna Coleman on 01655 883388, Wendy Campbell on 01655 883259 or Sina Currie on 01292 560640.

CARPET bowls is the first of this year's Maybole gala activities to be decided, with an open pairs event held in the town hall. Tom Lucas and Charles Donnelly won the competition, contested by 10 pairs, with David Boyd and Frank Potter taking the runners-up honours. Derek Walker, of gala organisers Maybole Community Association, presented trophies to the winners and beaten finalists. He also thanked Alex Davidson for his help in organising the competition, and the OAP Carpet Bowling Association for the loan of its carpets.

THE united congregation of Maybole Old and Maybole West is to be known simply as Maybole Parish Church. Members were asked their views on a name, and also on the time of worship, which they have decided should be 10.30am. In the meantime, services during June will take place in the West parish building.

LYNDSAY Rankin, a Second Year pupil at Carrick Academy, won a solar-powered radio in a prize draw run by South Ayrshire Energy Agency. Lyndsay - and all other pupils in her year - took part in a series of energy efficiency lessons. The course was delivered by Anne Shearlaw, education energy adviser. Mrs Shearlaw's talks tied in with 'green' issues pupils were examining through the school's Home Economics department. And as part of the lessons, pupils were asked to fill in a simple questionnaire highlighting energy use in their homes. As well as the chance to win the radio, each pupil received a free energy advice report, detailing specific ways to reduce fuel bills.

MAYBOLE Women's Group meets in the Surestart annexe at Carrick Academy on Thursday afternoons (12.45 - 2.45pm. Meetings are friendly and informal with the weekly programme agreed by members themselves. Topics tend to have a health focus, and the group recently completed the '5-a-day' healthy eating programme. There will be sessions on aromatherapy, reflexology, drug awareness for parents, and self-defence prior to the summer holidays. The programme is free of charge, thanks to funding from South Ayrshire Women's Partnership and the AAHB Active Living Grant Scheme. A creche is available and coffees are provided at the group, which is happy to welcome new members. For information, contact Carol George at Community Education, Carnegie Building, on 01655 882105.

LOOKING BACK: 25 YEARS AGO - an angry Maybole woman says she and her husband are being 'smoked out' of their council house in Whitehall by a faulty chimney which billows smoke everywhere. Janet Waugh says Kyle and Carrick District Council have spent hundreds of pounds without success, and she believes the only solution is a switch to gas central heating. But the council say 'no', and Mrs Waugh and husband Alex are now enlisting support from Councillor Bill McCubbin and Jim Sillars MP.

May 16th 2003

BRIDE Julie Connelly and groom Andrew Fulton put wedding bands on each other's fingers on Saturday. But another band is almost as important to them - and Maybole Pipe Band just couldn't be left out of their big day! That's because Julie is a drummer and Andrew a piper in the band. And their romance blossomed through a shared interest in traditional Scots music. The band provided an escort for Julie from her home in Maybole's Hutchison Street to the nearby West Kirk. The wedding ceremony was conducted there by the Rev Fraser Aitken of St Columba Church in Ayr. And Maybole Pipe Band played more tunes to celebrate the popular couple's union. The wedding reception was held in the Brig o' Doon Hotel in Alloway, before the couple jetted off on a Transatlantic honeymoon to Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Andrew works for BAe Systems at Prestwick and Julie is on the staff at the John Pollock Centre in Ayr. The couple will have their home at Minishant - and will, of course, continue to be members of Maybole Pipe Band.

MAYBOLE Community Development Group (MCDG) closes at the end of this month. The three-year project's funding has ended, and bids for cash to let it stay open have yet to be decided. A new group called North Carrick Community Social Enterprise aims to continue and expand services offered from the group's High Street centre. But the success or failure of this bid may not be known until July. MCDG is a company limited by guarantee, with charity status, and certain actions must be taken by its voluntary board of directors and its community group members. Staff have been on fixed-term contracts, and the company ceases trading as at the end of the month. An assurance has been given that all outstanding bills will be paid, and auditors will prepare final accounts for an AGM in July. Discussions are underway to see if the resource centre - well used by local groups - can be kept open. In addition, there will have to be talks to discuss what happens to the group's equipment, such as computers.

GOODS worth 8,000 were stolen in a break-in to a cottage near Crossraguel Abbey. And police are following leads on vehicles spotted in the locality on Saturday - when the raid occurred - between 11am and 11pm. Jewellery including including a gold watch and a gold ring were stolen, as well as wines and spirits. Anyone with information that might help the police inquiry should call them either on Girvan (01465) 713587 or the CID in Ayr on (01292) 664000.

MAYBOLE branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland aims to hold a parade to mark the 50th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation. And they hope to recapture the spirit of the pageant held in the town in 1953 - a massively successful Maybole event. The Legion will parade from Greenside to the West Church on Sunday, June 8. And all organisations who are normally involved with the town s Remembrance Day ceremony are invited to take part.

AN OPEN doors day was held at Maybole's Carnegie Building on Monday. The event was part of the National Adult Learners Week, and visitors could access information on a whole range of initiatives. They could use the latest in computer-aided guidance to find out about courses available to suit the needs of every individual. Advisers and tutors were on hand to provide support and information, and teas, coffees and biscuits were provided free of charge. Groups represented included Maybole Access Point, Sports Development, Health Service, May-Tag, Ayr College, Maybole Historical Society and Careers Scotland. Organisations based in the Carnegie Building - such as Community Education, Libraries and Signposts - also took part.

MAYBOLE Historical Society's local and family history roadshow continues its trip round Carrick: Saturday (17th) McCosh Hall, Kirkmichael (1.30 - 4.30pm); Tuesday (20th) Maybole Castle tour (6 - 8pm); Saturday (24th) Dunure (1.30 - 4.30pm); Saturday (31st) Crosshill (1.30 - 4.30pm)

MAYBOLE Trefoil Guild heard about the facilities available to local Guides at Nether Auchendrane. Guest speaker for the final meeting of the session was Margaret Mason, county adviser for outdoor activities. The AGM produced this new committee: president - Miss E. McCrindle; vice-president - Miss M. Garrie; secretary - Mrs M. Orr; treasurer - Mrs L. McFarlane; tea convener - Mrs M. Paterson; committee - Mrs E. Cruickshank, Miss J. Quinn, Miss M. Campbell.

LOOKING BACK 50 YEARS AGO - John Dunlop, a member of Maybole Town Council for 12 years, is appointed a Bailie in addition to his role as Dean of Guild. Mr Dunlop is also chairman of Maybole Co-operative Party, and in 1949 was elected president of Carrick Provident Co-operative Society Ltd, a position held by his late father from 1917 to 1930.

May 9th 2003

May 2nd 2003

CARRICK Academy’s class of 1946 held a reunion at the Maybole school, followed by dinner at the Carrick Lodge Hotel in Ayr. A reunion after 57 years may not qualify for the Guinness Book of Records, but those taking part certainly had a great time! Janitor Ronnie Campbell showed the group round the school, and the classrooms rang with laughter as they recalled who sat where, who said what and who the teachers were in their era. Some classrooms are still used for the same subject as 60 years ago and there were claims that some desks were the same — especially in the science room! The visitors were also able to use a school computer to look at www.maybole.org and see photographs of themselves and their teachers from 1946. Leslie Hunter was astonished to see his name in gold letters on the board of Ramsay Medal winners. This was his prize in 1943 for being the Dux in 3rd Year. Leslie later became a senior lecturer at Glasgow University and the city’s Jordanhill College. The reunion was organised by Dr Herbert Kay of Middlesborough, and it follows one in 1992 that was attended by 27. Sadly, nine of those present on that occasion have died, although for others this was their first reunion. It may also be the last, since the average age of the Class of 1946 is now 72/73. But it would be nice to think there might be another get-together a decade from now. More photos here.

DONNA McDowall can claim to have TWO driving licences. For the former May-Tag trainee has achieved a European Computer Driving Licence to go with her road licence! And if you see her driving an ambulance around Maybole, it’s because she has a new job with the Scottish Ambulance Service. Donna is thrilled to have made a new start after finding herself redundant following five years with computer firm Compaq. And she paid tribute to people who have helped her along the way. Donna said: “After making enquiries at Signposts in Maybole and explaining that I wanted a new career, Gerry Ferrara informed me that in this day and age, computer knowledge is required for most jobs. “I was referred to May-Tag Training in Maybole, and I started the European Computer Driving Licence in a small class which allowed one-to-one tuition with Grace Barrie who, through her perseverance and patience, helped me achieve this qualification in seven months. “I now have a full-time job with the Scottish Ambulance Service and I have no doubt that without the ECDL qualification my application form would have been overlooked.” As well as Donna, fellow May-Tag trainee Ian Mullett received his European Computer Driving Licence.

***************

Donna McDowall pays tribute to the Maybole training company and its staff for the help given to her.

 New Beginnings.

Having worked at Compaq Computers for 5 years in manufacturing, and finding myself redundant, I decided that having worked in factories for all of my working life to date, I needed a completely new career change. After making enquiries at Signposts in Maybole and explaining that I wanted a new career, Gerry Ferrara informed me that in this day and age, computer knowledge is required for most jobs. I needed to find a course to enhance my chances of employment. I was referred to May-Tag Training in Maybole, and I started the European Computer Driving Licence in a small class which allowed one-to-one tuition with Ms Barrie, who, through her perseverance and patience, helped me achieve this qualification in 7 months. I now have a full-time job working the Scottish Ambulance Service and I have no doubt that without the ECDL qualification my application form would have been overlooked.

***************

TWO piano pupils of Jenny Graham in Maybole put practice to good use and enjoyed success at examinations arranged in Ayr by the Royal Schools of Music. Sam Fleming passed at Grade 1 with merit, and Jonathan Simpson passed Grade 2.

THEY never reached the dizzy heights, but Carrick Thistle are fondly remembered by many amateur football fans in the Maybole area. And it was an ambition of former player Johnny Mackie to get the lads from the 1960s team together again for a reunion. Sadly, Johnny died on New Year’s Day, but old pals in the team asked his widow if she would be happy to see a reunion go ahead. Jean Mackie was delighted at the idea — especially as the players and friends wanted to raise cash for charity, in Johnny’s name. A fine total of £600 was raised from the reunion, and presented to the Ayrshire Hospice by Jean and her family. The money comes on top of £200 raised for the hospice from mourners who made donations at Johnny’s funeral. Jean Mackie told the Post: “I really can’t thank the hospice staff enough for all they did — they looked after Johnny so well.” She also thanks local shops and businesses for donations for the raffle, and everybody who helped — especially George Wallace and Ian Paterson.

LOOKING BACK: 25 YEARS AGO — Workers at Douglas Engineering in Maybole go back to work after a two-week dispute which threatens the firm’s future. MP Jim Sillars intervenes when talks break down, and succeeds in bringing the two sides together.