The daughter of former Maybole minister Rev John Stuart has stopped off in Maybole on her way from Knoxville, Tennessee on the “Road to Africa” to work with AIDS orphans. This coming weekend Lauren, 20, is off to Tanzania to fulfil am ambition she has had for years and she has set up an Internet blog to keep her family and friends up to date with her adventures. She is staying with Archie and Deirdre Cuthbertson while in Maybole and in Tanzania she will be caring for young children whose parents have died from AIDS. Her dad, Rev Stuart, told our local correspondent, “Lauren is only 20, but she has a compassionate heart that Mary Slessor would have been proud to see in such a young person.”

Lauren said that in going to Africa she will be living out another of her dreams. “For years I have wanted to go to Africa to work with AIDS orphans and it is incredible that I am actually getting to do so.” Her blog, she says, is “a way for me to share my experiences before, during, and after my trip to Tanzania. I will share the struggles of fundraising, the pain of vaccinations, and the fears I have leaving my comfortable life behind me. I will hopefully be able to continue updates in Tanzania to share the amazing stories of the children I will be working with. Please pray for this adventure as often as you can, and for the wonderful people I will be meeting in Tanzania.” She visited her grandmother immediately on arriving in Scotland last week and after a nap she was picked up by the Cuthbertsons and headed for her home town.

Lauren adds, “Maybole has been fantastic. I have always been madly in love with the town and I still am.” She and her family – dad, mum Evelyn and sister Lynsey - lived in the West Church manse which along with the church has been sold for housing development and she visited her former home last Tuesday. Lauren commented, “I walked down to the old house and church which is being turned into apartments. The house is still there, but everything is different. “It took so much for me not to start crying. “The house and the church were such a large part of my life and it kills me to see it destroyed.” Last Wednesday she went to the Coffee Club which she used to do when she was young. “It was wonderful seeing some of the people who were great influences on my life,” she said. “There was an argument for a while over which parent I looked more like. Things like, ‘If you put a beard on her, she's John Stuart looking back at you!’ and ‘No, she has the same smile as Evelyn! were said. “But eventually, they all agreed that I was my own person.”

After the Coffee Club Lauren had lunch with Margaret and Alex Davidson and then she went to visit her old school, Gardenrose Primary, for their sports day. “It was wonderful seeing the school and watching the kids have a great time!” she said. “I've had a great time so far,” Lauren added, “ and I'm sure I'll continue having a wonderful time! Thanks for all the love and prayers!!” At right is an old photo is Rev. John Stuart with wife Evelyn and daughters Lynsey and Lauren prior to their departure to the USA. Presenting the painting of the West Church is Willie Fielding. This photo taken May, 1995

Dr Brian Scobie has taken early retirement and last week Lorna Quinn, his last official, patient, presented the popular Maybole GP with a cheque from his patients. Dr Scobie, 56, had his practice at Maybole Health Centre along with partners Dr Paton and dr Steele. He stopped work last Wednesday, April 30 and staff, colleagues and patients gathered to wish him well for the future. Ne was born and bred in nearby Dailly and went on to Girvan Academy where he was the school dux. As a youngster he was keen on the Boys Brigade and football. At Glasgow University he graduated MB ChB – a double degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. (Ch stands for Chirurgia which is Latin for Surgery) He trained as a junior doctor at Heathfield and Ballochmyle Hospitals, in Obstetrics at Southern General Hospital, and in Dermatology at Monklands District Hospital. Dr Scobie joined Dr Haggerty in her Maybole practice in 1978 and has been here ever since. His interests include playing bridge and he has been the club doctor to Ayr Rugby Club. He is well known on the Burns Supper circuit and with plenty of spare time now, he will be available for trips to Dubai or anywhere else in the world!

“Enjoy A Book!” Parents as Partners Pupils at Cairn Primary School were delighted to receive a cheque last week for £350 from Ayr Rotary Club for a “Literacy In The Community” project. The aim of the project is to promote the enjoyment of reading for all pupils and Alistair Tyre and Paul Williams presented the cheque to pupils from P5. Mrs McDougall, Head Teacher, thanked the Rotary for their generous gift to Cairn Primary School which would assist the school in further developing their work to promote Parents As Partners. Mrs McDougall added that the school hopes to run parent workshops to raise parents’ awareness of the importance of their contribution at home to their child’s learning. She continued, “When parents are actively involved in reading with their children at home, their children’s reading scores improve on average by between 12-18 months. “With the Rotary funding, we intend to allow pupils to purchase books of particular interest to them and invite parents in to ‘enjoy a book’ in our refurbished library.”

Carrick Academy 1st XV travelled down to Wales at the beginning of the month. They played two games that were both closely contested. The first game was against a much older and bigger Pontycymmer side. It really was a battle of their strength against Carrick’s organisation. The final score was 12 - 10 to the Welsh boys. The hospitality afterwards was excellent and the boys made friends with the Welsh boys so much so that they all turned up at Carrick team’s hotel the next day to go along to support them for their our second tour game against Maesteg. This again turned out to be a closely fought encounter, Carrick led 20-7 at half time but for some reason switched off in the second and ended up losing 20-26. The tour was a massive success and the boys all had a great time. The Millennium stadium tour was a tour highlight. Plans have been put in place for the 1st XV to visit their newly found friends next season (5th April to the 10th April 2009) with Maesteg visiting Carrick at some point next season. The school would like to thank MALCOLM MCKAY for his sponsorship of the tour poloshirts. Malcolm and Donna McKay are huge supporters of the school rugby and the boys, coaches and school really appreciate their help.

 Maybole postman Alex Gemmell, 58, is getting ready to tackle the 95-mile West Highland Way again 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 Yorkhill Children’s Hospital and will be walking the 95 miles between Milngavie and Fort William starting on June 8. He is aiming to walk on average 25 miles a day and take four days to complete his journey. He last did 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. Alex 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.

A cheque for £850 was presented to members of Maybole Youth Action group at Maybole Community Council’s AGM last week. The amount was made up of £800 from funds held by the community council for youth activities and £50 from its normal administration grant fund. Chairman Peter Mason welcomed Ryan Ward, Conner McGill and James Dickie to the AGM and said that the community council was impressed with their plans for upgrading the skateboard park in the town. Ryan Ward then presented a short video on the present state of the park and what the group would like to see done to improve it. William Grant had chaired a small sub-committee which had considered applications for funding and he officially handed over the cheque to the group. Afterwards, Mr Mason added, “We as a community council support the youth of the town and we thought that this was a good and worthy group to donate funds to. “They presented their case well to the council and they are, in my opinion, a credit to the town. “More power to the young people, they are the future and should be encouraged. My thanks also to Yvonne Kiltie, and Carol George, who assisted the youths.”

Successful Fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis A fantastic local fundraising event resulted in a magnificent total of £6,900 being collected for MS charities. The event was held at Belleisle House Hotel and “Escapade” helped the company dance away the night. The committee would like to pay a huge thanks to all who attended, gave prizes, donations, helped out with their services and made the night a great success. This allowed them to them raise a staggering amount of £5,900 with a further £1,000 received from the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Community Cash Back Awards. The money was split between MS Ayrshire and MS Scotland (Research). The committee recognise that this event could not have taken place without all the support and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone so much.

Maybole Town Twinning Walking Quiz. Maybole Town Twinning Association’s latest event was a quiz with a difference when those taking part had to walk round the town and solve the clues provided. The event, which was organised by Sally Anderson, saw members and friends of the twinning set off from Carrick Sports Club at two minute intervals, equipped with map, quiz sheets and pen. The object was to walk the circular route and answer 30 questions from clues given on the sheets, returning to the club for a light buffet.

Luckily no-one got lost on the way and everyone returned safely! A few groans were heard as answers were marked, but on the whole most seemed to enjoy their evening very much with William Grant being declared the overall winner from a very close field. One group was heard saying that they’d not had so much fun for ages! (Maybe they should get out more!) Another said that they had seen things that they had never noticed before even though they passed them frequently.

Sally would like to thank Carrick Sports Club for their warm welcome and the members and friends for coming along to make the evening such a success. The next time twinners will be out and about is at the meeting to be held in Maybole One Stop Shop in the School Vennel at 7.30pm on Tuesday June 10 to which all members and anyone wishing to join the group is invited. Items on the agenda will include the town twinning participation at Maybole Gala Day on Saturday June 21.

Sunshine Success. On a glorious Sunday afternoon nearly ninety competitors strove to win the Carrick Speakers Open golf competition. After ten hours of play, the two very worthy winners were Scott McCahill, Maybole(Scratch 65)and Robert McCluskey, Girvan(Nett 57). Other notable place winners were: 2nd J Cameron(Girvan), 3rd C Thomson (Brunston), 4th C Gerrish (St Cuthbert’s), 5th S White(Girvan) and 6th A Sneddon. Carrick Speakers Golf Club would like to thank South Ayrshire Council for the courtesy of the course and the greenkeeping staff for presenting it immaculately. Thanks to all sponsors without whom the competition could not run, especially Wallaces Express and major sponsors Carrick Sports Club in Maybole, represented at the prize giving this year by Alan Cuthbert, Vice-Convener of Carrick Sports Club.

Wine Tasting Evening. Maybole Town Twinning held a successful wine and beer tasting evening in Maybole Castle on Fri 25th. Wines and beers were sourced and chosen by twinning members Catriona Grant and John Campbell, who also undertook a presentation and supplied notes to the company. The selection included some old favourites and a few new surprises from Europe and further afield. A small buffet was also provided. A big thanks to Catriona and John for their efforts and also thanks to the members of Maybole and Prestwick Town Twinning who attended and helped make the evening a success. Please note that the next social event is to be a walking quiz on Friday 23rd. May at 7pm, leaving from Maybole Speakers Club, to which all twinning members, and anyone else who would like to join us, are invited. Contact Hugh Anderson on 01655 883150 or Lesley Grant on 883310 by Friday 16th. May if you would like to join us and for further details.

Sunday May 11 was a big day for six young parishioners of Our Lady & St Cuthbert's Church in Maybole. Rebecca Campbell, Suilven Hunter, Dara Hunter Blair, Deaglan Hunter Blair, Patrick McCahill and Brody Wright all received the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion. Eric Eldhose, who is in the same class at St Cuthbert’s Primary had already received the sacraments. Fr Stephen McGrattan presided at the Mass and he thanked the children and their parents for all the work they had put in to preparing for the day.

Maybole One Stop Shop (MOSS) celebrated its 1st birthday last week and as well as cutting a celebratory cake a new sensory garden was dedicated to the memory of a founder member. Chairman of the group Fr Stephen McGrattan told invited guests, “A year ago today, together with Councillor Connolly, I cut the ribbon to open the Maybole One Stop Shop. “It brought together the work of three local groups: May-tag, Over the Rainbow, and The Maybole and District Senior Citizens’ Forum, and was funded by the Scottish Community Foundation. “The services the Shop provided included benefit checks, advocacy, citizens’ advice, health and lifestyle information, trading standards information, support for senior citizens, and a range of outreach services. “Clients’ questions and issues – sometimes complicated and specialised – were given a ‘one-stop’ answer here.” He continued, “The management, or steering, group of the project, which I represent, was confident the services of the Shop would help individuals and the community.

We looked forward to seeing the difference in the town and district. “However, I don’t think we fully imagined how bright a future this project was to have.” Fr McGrattan added, “Over 750 people in the North Carrick area have been helped by the Shop during the 3,100 visits they have made this year alone. The project has assisted in securing £103,000 of unclaimed benefits, helping to raise the standard of living of our clients and benefitting the local economy. “Strong relationships have been built up with a wide range of agencies which help us provide our services. Today it is most important to thank Gillian Anderson, project manager, and her staff Cathie, Mel and Lynn for their enthusiasm, commitment and professionalism.

Without them this project would not have such a bright birthday story to celebrate. “One person who would have enjoyed being here today is the late Jock Barr. Jock was a member of the steering group from the beginning and brought with him a legacy of fine work and experience from his Over the Rainbow project - and a dose of good humour and enthusiasm too. “It’s very appropriate that we remember Jock and his contribution by dedicating the sensory garden in his name.” He told guests that The One Stop Shop is a pilot project, and its future as a permanent and sustainable project is bright.

The group is looking for further funding to make this future more secure. “We hope the One Stop Shop will go from strength to strength,” he said, “and even become a model and brand name which other towns and communities will replicate!” He then thanked everyone for attending and invited staff member Cathie Barr to cut the birthday cake. Afterwards, Mrs Betty Barr cut a ribbon on a new bench dedicated in her late husband’s memory. Gillian Anderson then thanked everyone for all their assistance including:

Mel Balfour and Lynne Campbell

BTCV - Julie, Katie, Joe and their Volunteers

Carrick Men’s Group

JD Thomson Builders

Somerfield

Pound Shop

June Dunlop Florist

Davie from the Butchers

PJ Videos

Sam Lowrie Dairy Corner

John Mulholland

Cameron's Ironmongers

Dobbies

Homebase

Community Justice Team Leaders and Squad

Maybole Primary Schools

Local neighbours

Mrs Watson and Mr Smith - Carrick Academy

Maybole Community Council is very concerned that the Access project run by May-Tag Ltd from an office in Maybole High Street will be closing due to South Ayrshire Council budget cuts. At a meeting of the community council’s General Purposes Committee last week, members heard that closing Access will leave two staff redundant and be a loss to Maybole and the villages of North Carrick. Some members thought it appeared that Maybole and North Carrick is not a priority for South Ayrshire Community Planning Fairer Scotland Funding. Chairman Peter Mason commented, “I understand that all the money from the Scottish Government’s Fairer Scotland Fund has been allocated by South Ayrshire Council to North Ayr and Girvan leaving North Carrick out. “The Scottish Executive stated over two years ago that Access which was funded by them through the New Futures programme should be mainsteam funded through the Community Planning Partnership but South Ayrshire Council has chosen to ignore this and place all the new Fairer Scotland money into council projects.” Mr Mason is a former director of May-Tag and he added, “The Access project has been acknowledged as a value for money programme in assisting and getting local disadvantaged people into work and further education. In fact this has been May-Tag’s main aim over the last 20 years. He continued, “Where will local people from Maybole and the surrounding villages be able get the services that Access provides? “Will people now have to travel to Ayr or Girvan? This will be costly for unemployed people in the area.”

Maybole’s highly successful Access project is to close at the end of May. The community employability project has assisted around 250 people in the last two years but it has to close due to lack of funding with the loss of two dedicated staff. Maybole Access Point (MAP) was the forerunner of Access and it started in April 2001 funded by the Scottish Executive’s New Futures Funding. MAP was a discreet drop in facility set up in Maybole High Street to assist local people with a variety of problems such as money issues, debt, letter writing, health, abuse, rape crises, domestic violence and also provided a free telephone service to various agencies.

In April 2006 the Scottish Executive transferred the funding for this to the South Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership (CPP) and to meet their objectives MAP was changed to Access as an employability programme. It also transferred offices to the former Resource Centre in 2007. The Scottish Government’s wish was for these New Futures funded programmes to be incorporated into the Community Planning Partnership’s mainstream funding. However, as the two year project was coming to an end, and without any discussions, the Community Planning Partnership decided to axe the project a few days before the end of March.

The end of Access will mean that there is no employability assistance to unemployed people in Maybole and North Carrick. Cathy Jamieson MSP has condemned South Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership's decision to cut the funding to May-Tag's Access project. Which will mean it closing on May 30. She said, “The May-Tag Access Project has worked with over 200 people since 2006 and helped a significant number into employment and further education.

“Many of these individuals have had problems in their lives and really needed the extra support that Access provided. “It's not clear at present who will fill the gap as this project will completely close with the loss of two jobs. With Access closing and South Ayrshire Council also withdrawing funding from the Signposts project in Maybole there will be no employment initiative in North Carrick for disadvantaged and long term unemployed. “This will see the existing 50 clients who use the service having to travel to Ayr for alternative provisions."

Peter Mason, chairperson of Maybole Community Council, commented, “ It is a disgrace that all the Community Planning Partnership money is only being spent in North Ayr and Girvan leaving a gap in Maybole and North Carrick. “Where will people from Maybole and the surrounding villages now have to go to seek employment assistance.”

Access project manager Christine Kennedy said “We are devastated that the support will no longer be there for Maybole and that people will now have to travel to Ayr or Girvan. “My 17 years of working in Maybole has allowed me to build up a good rapport and vast experience of supporting people and I am so sad to be leaving”

Additional information The new offices were opened exactly a year ago this week (See photos attached) Recently re-elected Cathy Jamieson MSP officially launched the project on Friday May 18. The aim of the project was to help individuals from 16 to 60 years of age looking for work.

At the time Christine Kennedy said, “Mainstream society evidence shows that employment not only provides financial independence but also meaningful structure for peoples lives. The link between general well being and employment is significantly positive. “Access has identified that employment provides social networks and therefore leads to improved self-esteem and confidence. The challenges most people face today in the job market are the fast pace of change, the need for constant upskilling and training and the need to continuously demonstrate competence and employability.”

Cathy Jamieson MSP said: "May-Tag's Access project is very important as it will give people individual support, suited to their own needs, to help them get back into work. Whether it is helping people to achieve qualifications or improving other skills, Access will help to provide the specific support they need. Giving those looking for work the training they need and by working with employers, the Access Project will make a real difference. I was delighted to have been invited to the launch of the project and I wish all the staff and clients every success in the future."

Councillors Brian Connolly, Ann Galbraith and Mairi Low attended along with representatives of local organisations.

The Ayrshire Chess Association prize giving and lightning event will take place at Greenwood Academy, Dreghorn on Thursday May 22 7.15pm. The 1st Division league was won by Prestwick A; Division 2 by Irvine B and Division 3 by Kilmarnock Dragons. The junior league was won by Carrick A. The individual champion is Elliott Frew and the Robertson Cup was shared by Stuart & Alice Lampard [father & daughter!] The last match of the season between Carrick and Largs ended in a draw: Sigrun Macgilchrist 0 -1 Jim Telfer; Ali Roy 0 - 1 Robert Simpson; Steell McFadzean 0 - 1 William Kincaid; John Shevlin 1 - 0 default; Athol Macgilchrist 1 - 0 Lesley Glen; Peter Edwards 1 - 0 Hugh Millar. This was Peter's first game in the senior league, so, well done! The Carrick junior and senior championships are near completion. In both competitions the outcome depends on the last round, as a few players are sharing the lead. Will last year’s winners retain their trophies?

A conference was held in January at Brunston Castle Golf Club to discuss possible community benefit funds and the best way to progress this matter. Maybole Community Council offered to call a meeting for community councils in North Carrick and this was held recently. In order that every community councillor in North Carrick had the opportunity to discuss this in open forum and to fully understand the proposals, a letter was sent to each community council suggesting every member would be welcome to attend.

Peter Walker chaired the meeting and said he would compile a report from it to be sent to all community councils and to Scottish Power Renewables and the Banks Group. Community Councils invited were: Dunure Crosshill, Straiton & Kirkmichael Kirkoswald, Maidens & Turnberry Maybole

Discussion took place on various ways forward and those present agreed to form a North Carrick Community Benefit Company to handle any windfarm community benefit monies from the proposed Scottish Power Renewables’ Darsalloch windfarm and The Banks Group’s proposed one at Knowside.

Areas covered by each windfarm are: Darsalloch Croshill, Straiton,and Kirkmichael Maybole Minishant (as Minishant does not have a community council Maybole CC has agreed to look after the interests of Minishant. Knowside Dunure Kirkoswald, Maidens and Turnberry Maybole.

The proposed board would consist of: two (2) community councillors from each of the four community councils within the benefit area one (1) local councillor one (1) South Ayrshire Council officer one (1) representative from Scottish Power Renewables one (1) representative from the Banks Group.

Total board membership - 12.

It was also agreed that only the community councillors would have a vote on distribution of grants within their area. The board would discuss the funding criteria, and assessment of applications and refer this back to each community council.

The councillors also agreed that in order to: support local voluntary groups develop ideas and projects access wind farm funding and maximise funding by obtaining match funding there should be a community development company created which would be totally separate from the grant company. Both Scottish Power Renewables and the Banks Group have indicated that there could be additional funds available to support this on top of the community benefit monies to start this development company.

The meeting agreed that final ratification of these proposals should be made at the next meeting of each of the community councils involved. At these meetings it was requested that each community council confirm their two (2) nominees for the proposed North Carrick Community Benefit company’s board. It was proposed that the new board should meet in early June with both Scottish Power Renewables and the Banks group to formulate the way forward.

The aim of this meeting would be to establish a method of contracting and agreeing conditions etc directly with both wind farm developers as to the community benefit monies. Peter Walker would be happy to attend Community Councils’ meetings to show the presentation he gave at the meeting to community councillors who were unable to attend.  

There is to be proper consultation on proposals to change the ambulance service provided to Maybole and the rest of North Carrick.

This was promised by Daren Mochrie, General Manager of the South West Division of the Scottish Ambulance Service at the meeting called by Maybole Community Council.

He said he regretted that the proposals had been aired in the media before he had had the chance to speak to community councils affected and in fact he had not even had the chance to speak to staff.

Peter Mason, chairman of Maybole Community Council, invited Mr Mochrie to explain what the proposals were as so far it had stated with rumours which seemed to have been confirmed in quotes from the ambulance service.

Mr Mochrie outlined the review of the ambulance service and explained that they were trying to achieve faster response time to emergency call outs.

“We are looking to create 14 new paramedic posts to Ayrshire & Arran and considered where the investment needs to go,” he said.

He continued, “We looked at the demand and our response to it.

“Currently, Maybole has an on call ambulance system in place. There are five funded posts – three paramedics and two technicians.

They work a 12 hour day followed by being on call for 12 hours.

There is a target response time of 8 minutes for Category A emergencies and at present this is only met in 45% of call outs against the target of 75%.

We have had to think about how to improve the service.”

Mr Mochrie said it had been very difficult to recruit people to this on call system, “People don’t want to do it.”

He added that the key in cardiac arrest is the first 8 minutes and after that patients’ chances decrease.

“The proposal is that Maybole would have five fully trained paramedics and one would be available from the local ambulance station in Ladyland Road 24 x 7.” Mr Mochrie said.

When asked if this was a cost cutting exercise he said that 14 new paramedics were a significant increase as was the proposal to replace three paramedics and two technicians with five paramedics.

“Although there will be some savings on on call payments,” he added.

He also agreed that one paramedic would not be able to take anyone to hospital but the level of training that paramedics get nowadays and a faster response would greatly increase the chances of patients.

Alec Clark, chairman of Girvan Community Council, asked what the situation would be for Girvan which backs up the Maybole ambulance.

Mr Mochrie said that Girvan would have 24 x 7 ambulance cover and it was more likely that Ayr or Cumnock would back up Maybole.

On average there are 17 callouts a week for Maybole ambulance; four are Category A, 5 are Category B and the remainder are urgent requests by doctors.

Concerns were also expressed over health and safety issues with a one person operation but Mr Mochrie said police or social services could be called on.

When challenged that these proposals were “done and dusted” he replied that he was happy to listen to concerns, admitting that he did not know the geography of the area. He was, however, of the opinion that the proposals would mean that the community would be safer.

There were concerns from the public that Carrick is a very rural area and the roads are not the best which could impede fast response and the area extends well below Girvan. If patients had to wait for a paramedic in a car then wait for a two crew ambulance there could be significant time loss before the patient got to hospital.

As one person said, “Cumnock to Maybole could be a problem – it would be quicker to walk to Ayr!”

Having travelled from Cumnock to Maybole to attend the meeting, Cathy Jamieson MSP said she had been caught behind slow moving traffic and perhaps Kilmarnock was a better option for ambulance back up.

The MSP also pointed out "The proposed changes to local ambulance services are especially concerning following reports in the national press that all serious heart attack patients in Ayrshire are to be treated at Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride.”

This drew a sharp intake of breath by those attending the meeting who were hearing this for the first time.

Ms Jamieson continued, “"This could potentially mean that a patient in Ballantrae could face a 65-mile ambulance journey, taking about an hour and a half, to receive treatment, bypassing the accident and emergency departments at both Ayr and Crosshouse Hospitals on the way.

“What has the Health Board got to say about this?” she asked.

Mr Mochrie said that there were talks going on about this saying, “Additional resources would need to be in place.”

When asked if this proposed system had been introduced elsewhere, Mr Mochrie said that it had been introduced at Gatehouse of Fleet two years previously and the system is popular there.

He was asked about 24 x 7 two crew cover and said this would mean 11 staff would be needed and when asked about recruiting in Maybole he replied that there had been no recruitment in Maybole for the last five years.

Adam Ingram MSP admitted to some confusion at this stage and sought some clarification on what was really being proposed and asked, “Did you intend to consult; to publish plans and let people study the proposals before commenting?”

Mr Mochrie responded that he had wanted to speak to staff first, speak to MSPs, then community councils to get people’s perceptions.

Mr Imgram suggested proper consultation with perhaps a presentation of the proposals and give other professionals the chance to comment.

Mr Mochrie replied, “That’s fine. No decisions have been taken, no dates have been set. I am more than happy to follow this up.”

“I can also guarantee that there are no plans to close the ambulance station in Maybole.” He added that there no plans to change the present patient transport facilities.

“There will be full consultation before any changes are made.”

Peter Mason then introduced young Andrew Pollock, a pupil at Carrick Academy who had independently been conducting a petition against the proposals. Andrew handed his petition to Mr Mochrie and Mr Mason praised the young man for his efforts.

After the meeting Mr Mason said, “I felt that the ambulance service presented their case well, but had no idea of rural issues or a rural area.

“They had no idea of how many villages the ambulance covers, they had no idea of the problems that we have with bad roads.

They type an address into their sat nav and it says 13 miles = 19 minutes and they take this as being correct.

“Welcome to the real world ambulance service and please listen we are a rural area.

“My feelings of the meeting directly are that the majority of the public that were there were against the changes proposed by the ambulance service, even although it appears that the ambulance service think that this is a done deal.

“The population of this area will make the decision and not the ambulance service. It’s our money they are spending so surely we should have a say in what we feel is the best service for the area we live in.

“Or is this a case of A& E all over again? Is this a kick back at us because of the fight we gave them?

“At the end of the meeting they agreed to hold public consultation on the issue; this is a decision that we as a community council applaud, and was the best outcome of the meeting that we could have hoped for.

“But what would they have done if Maybole Community Council had not called a public meeting?”

Mr Mason added that the community council would like to thank all members of the public who turned out to give us there support, also all the politicians that were there and representatives from other community councils.

Also speaking after the public meeting MSP Cathy Jamieson said:

“The significant number of people at the meeting in Maybole shows the level of concern over these changes.

Any proposals from the Scottish Ambulance Service which will cut the provision of ambulance and paramedic services to any of the communities in my constituency is completely unacceptable.

There are real concerns about where the back up ambulances would come from, particularly if the Girvan ambulance was out on call.  I am disappointed that the Scottish Ambulance Service chose not to consult with the local community before making these plans known in the press and they need to address these concerns urgently. 

At the meeting the Ambulance Service gave an assurance that no decision had yet been taken, and that a proper consultation would now be held

These proposed changes to local ambulance services are especially concerning following reports in the national press that all serious heart attack patients in Ayrshire are to be treated at Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride. 

This could potentially mean that a patient in Ballantrae could face a 65 mile ambulance journey to receive treatment, bypassing the Accident and Emergency Units at both Ayr and Crosshouse Hospitals on the way.  I’ve contacted the Cabinet Secretary for Health to raise these very serious local concerns.”