Throughout the centuries, there have been many trades in Maybole but to local people weaving and shoemaking were the main ones which brought prosperity to the town. Last Saturday, Maybole Historical Society put on an exhibition of the town’s industrial past featuring these two trades plus the work of Alexander Jack among others.

Originally, agriculture in one form or another was the principal employment in the town and district and all townsfolk were connected with it in some way. The first recognised manufacturing trade was weaving and by the eighteenth century local people had set up hand looms in their houses. It was a family trade with the men working the looms, and the women and children washing, cairding and spinning the wool for the looms.

Later, some small shoe-makers who had been producing boots and shoes in their own homes decided to start boot and shoe making in a large way and they built factories and trained and employed the old weavers By 1883, there were eight large shoe factories, three with tanneries and currying departments, employing 1,184 workers and producing 12,360 pairs of boots weekly.

Eight years later there were ten shoe factories in full production employing 1,500 workers and producing about one million pairs of boots and shoes annually. Shops were opened throughout the whole of Britain, named "The Maybole Shoe Shop". At the same time as the shoe manufacturers started their industry in the town Alexander Jack became one of the best known agricultural implement businesses throughout not only Britain but many countries in the world.

He started in a small way to make carts and other implements for local farmers. The business grew rapidly and he built at "Townhead", at a cost of £6,000, the works which became widely known as "Jacks" and employed over one hundred men. Early in the twentieth century the firm was producing every type of implement for farm work. Their products were exhibited at agricultural shows throughout Britain and bought by farmers all over the world.

Carrick historian James Brown addressed the 17^th General Assembly of the Federation of Cluniac Sites in the mediaeval town of Ternay, near Lyon last weekend. In a brief speech in French and German, James urged delegates to visit Scotland in May next year to share in the country’s celebration of the 1,100^th anniversary of the founding of the abbey of Cluny.  These will take place at Scotland’s only Cluniac sites, Paisley and Crossraguel Abbeys and will include excursions to the castles of Kelburn and Dundonald.

Thanks to these visitor attractions and the ready help of Maybole Community Council nearly 90 delegates received a pack of leaflets and James was delighted by the response.

 “I was pleasantly surprised by the number of people who said they would like to visit,” James told us. “I now have a list of e-mail addresses to send further information, and the desire to know more is not just from France but Germany and Switzerland too.”

As the furthest-flung sites from Cluny, Paisley and Crossraguel have attracted a lot of attention. Christophe Voros, director of the Federation said, “We will certainly be sending a group to Scotland next year. We are very interested in what is planned in your country and see it as the foundations for a lasting friendship between Scotland and the rest of the European network of Cluniac sites.”

The Cluny 2010 Scotland committee continues to receive widespread interest and support for their programme of events. Renfrewshire Council’s tourism and economic development department swiftly produced a leaflet in French which went down particularly well. Historic Scotland is also a partner and have offered support in various forms to ensure the anniversary is a great advertisement for Scotland’s heritage. For more information on the Cluny anniversary celebrations, go to: http://www.cluny2010.eu/

He has already been promised over £1,000 but Maybole postman Alex Gemmell is looking for more sponsorship as he gets ready to walk the Southern Upland Way from June 5 in aid of Alzheimer Scotland. Alzheimer Scotland is a charity which helps people with dementia, their carers and families and Alex,  55 Hicks Avenue, is looking for all the sponsors he can get.

The Southern Upland Way is Britain's first official coast to coast long distance foot-path. It runs 212 miles (340 km) from Portpatrick on the south-west coast of Scotland to Cockburnspath in the east. Most long distance walkers tackle the Southern Upland Way by walking from west to east but Alex is going to do it the other way. He is an experienced walker and is really looking forward to this challenge.

A convent house on the shore front at Skelmorlie provided the setting for a weekend away for members of Our Lady & St Cuthbert’s parish, Maybole. The idyllic views across the Firth of Clyde provided inspiration for the group, but this wasn’t a holiday.

Fr Stephen McGrattan, parish priest, explained, “An energizing part of the life of the parish of Our Lady & St Cuthbert over the last 20 or so years is that the Parish Pastoral Council – the group elected to reflect on the Gospel and enliven parish life – participate in a retreat, or days apart, where they listen to Scripture and receive the Sacraments, pray, listen, share and discuss, socialise and discern how to better serve the parish and wider community where they live.”

Reflecting on the days away, Fr McGrattan added, “The retreat has enriched us all. Once again the group was encouraged by the wealth of experience, commitment, faith and skills in our community which seeks to help people know the person of Jesus. I was inspired by the thoughtful sharing, the faith of those who took part, and the commitment and enthusiasm of the group. It’s difficult to find time in our lives to share and reflect together in an environment that is prayerful, social and set apart from busy routines all at the same time: but that’s what retreats are all about!”

He continued, “During the retreat the parish pastoral council talked about how far they had come from the goals they set for the parish last year; reflected on the social teaching of the Catholic Church, examining justice issues and the dignity of the person; studied writings of Pope John Paul II on the need for Christian communities to strive for the holiness which must precede action and service in the name of Jesus.

“The topic of communication in the community and beyond was developed in a lively discussion which reflected on how we ourselves first learned about Jesus, as well as considering the many means available to us to hand on the faith in an effective way. At several moments during our discussions there were periods of silence to discern and listen prayerfully to God’s Holy Spirit speaking in the midst of all that the group had to say.”

Chairman of the parish pastoral council, David Kiltie, said, “Normally, meetings last for a couple of hours every two months which is not really enough time for in depth discussion and planning. “By going away from Friday evening till Sunday afternoon we can spend enough time looking at various areas of parish life.”