November 2003

November 28th 2003

The official launch of Maybole New Church Project was held in the Town Hall last Friday evening. The launch was hosted by Provost Gordon McKenzie who said a few words of welcome to all those attending who included council leader Andy Hill, Lord Lieutenant Richard Henderson, Cathy Jamieson MSP, Councillor Alan Murray, trustees of the Church of Scotland, representatives of Ayr Presbytery, local organisations and, of course, local minister leading the project Rev Dave Whiteman.

Councillor Hill said how honoured he was to have been asked to address the meeting adding, " The Church of Scotland here in Maybole is leading the way in a quite emphatically radical way. Preparations are under way for a profoundly ambitious project - an exciting one." Describing the project as an incredibly and unusually bold and innovative one, he commented on the unity shown by the joining of the two churches, Old and West. "And unity, " he added, "is the key word which will be pertinent to the creation of a new church building - but it is unity with a difference." "This will be not just a place of worship but a community resource for the whole of Maybole and surrounding villages. The Church, which has relied for so many years - indeed centuries - on the community supporting it, is moving with the times. It is very much giving to the community. It is leading the way and putting its resources to a more relevant use for tomorrow's world. By working together with the community as a whole, the Church should reap the benefit of greater involvement and through the new church centre cement an active relationship with the community. This can only be good for the community ...and for the church."

Councillor Hill paid tribute to Rev Whiteman, "He is clearly doing a wonderful job", and everyone who had put in a tremendous amount of work. "I am wholly supportive of the imaginative project," he said, "and as leader of South Ayrshire Council I recognise the benefits which will surely accrue." Gardenrose pupils then provided a musical interlude before architect Gordon Fleming made his presentation using slides to show what was being planned. Mr Fleming said, "The new Parish Centre for Maybole is intended to bring together a wide range of church and community facilities under one roof, demonstrating a welcome to all the people of Maybole." He continued, "The Congregational Board studied many sites throughout the town before settling on Greenside. The site on Greenside provides a location in the heart of the town, highly visible to residents and visitors and where it will be accessible to all. The proximity of the railway station and bus stop reinforces the significance of the site on the Town Green.

The brief to the architects asked for a flexible multi use building that will provide comfortable modern facilities for the activities of the church and local residents. A range of spaces will be provided from a large hall down to small private meeting rooms. Local interest will be supported by the presence of the Maybole Historical Society and a Drop-in cafe for all. A substantial car park is envisaged to serve the new building, the Health Centre, railway station and the Town Centre as a much needed resource for Maybole. The car park will be accessed from the station forecourt and with a pedestrian connection down to Castle Street and the Health Centre. Within the building the smaller spaces will be arranged along the Culzean Road frontage providing a lively façade to the street with the more internal spaces of the large hall and worship space being positioned towards the railway. All the spaces are accessed from welcoming entry courts that lead into a well lit central gathering place. The range of spaces and flexible furnishing arrangements allows a wide variety of functions to be accommodated from private meetings to conference and cinema functions. The design of the building allows this wide variety of activities to take place alongside the worship requirements of the Parish.

The final design of the building will provide a centre of great presence in the town, a modern landmark building for the future." Project Architects were Gordon Fleming and Rebecca Cadie of ARP Lorimer and Associates. After the presentation Rev Whiteman rounded off the proceedings with a very comprehensive vote of thanks. "We hope you caught the vision that we have to put a new heart in the town of Maybole," he said. "A vision to provide the town with a much needed facility, a community facility which will be open and used seven days a week and not just an hour on a Sunday." Cathy Jamieson MSP commented: "This is a very exciting and ambitious project which will bring a lot of benefits to Maybole. It will offer not only a new church but a range of facilities which will be used by the entire community. I certainly look forward to seeing this become a reality."

PADDINGTON DROPS INTO MAYBOLE TO SAY ‘THANK YOU’ Girvan & Maybole Branch of the National Charity – Action Medical Research – have raised over £3,000 this year through various local fund raising events, i.e. a Sponsored Walk, Ladies Lunch and the production of a Recipe Book. The Charity’s six foot mascot Paddington was delighted to put his name to the Recipe Book – ‘PADDINGTON’S PUDDINGS’ especially when he read the recipe for Marmalade Sandwich Pudding. A number of local businesses have kindly agreed to stock the recipe books for sale including Crosshill Post Office and Maybole Delicatessen. The Girvan & Maybole Committee promotes the National Charity Action Medical Research, dedicated to preventing and treating diseases and disabilities. A.M.R. helped aid Britain’s first polio vaccine and hip replacement surgery. The Recipe Books would make an ideal Christmas gift and anyone wishing a copy priced £3 can purchase direct by telephoning the Secretary – Sheena Erskine on Crosshill 740218. Committee Members can be seen in the photograph presenting a £3,000 cheque to Cecilia Cooper Community Fundraising Assistant. To find out more about the charity go to www.action.org.uk The Committee Chairperson – Dorothy Semple said ‘I want to thank all of the local supporters who regularly turn out at the Charity’s fund raising events’.

As usual Carrick Round Table has arranged for Santa's sleigh to visit Maybole and the surrounding area during the lead up to Christmas. Dates are: Mon. 8th Dec. – Whitefaulds/Culzean Road, Maybole Tue. 9th Dec. – Gardenrose Area/Ashgrove, Maybole Wed. 10th Dec – High Street South/Dailly Rd, Maybole Thur. 11th Dec.– The Glebe Area, Maybole Fri. 12th Dec. – Maidens and Kirkoswald. Mon. 15th Dec. – Hollybush/Dalrymple Tue. 16th Dec. – Minishant/Kirkmichael Wed. 17th Dec. – Straiton/Crosshill Thur. 18th Dec. - Dunure

Maybole Historical Society's Burns Night is planned for Monday 2nd February 2004 in Maybole Town Hall. The evening will start with a complimentary glass of wine or soft drink followed by a two course meal of traditional haggis, neeps and tatties with Scottish oatcakes and cheeses to follow. It will be chaired by David Kiltie and Jack Boyd will provide the Selkirk Grace and also propose the Toast to the Lassies. The haggis will be piped in by Fergus Cook and addressed by Dave Killicoat with both making further poetic contributions later. Murray Cook will give the Immortal Memory and musical entertainment will be provided by Miss Alison M. Dixon, Mrs Lesley Rodger, Mrs Jessie Thomson, Mrs Margaret Hutchison and Mr Alex Davidson. Tickets will be available at the December meeting or through any member of the committee. A separate mail shot with ticket order forms etc will be sent out to all members during the first week in December. At the December meeting on Monday, December 1 in Maybole Town Hall the topic will be "CROMWELL’S AYRSHIRE" when the speaker will be Tom Barclay, librarian and historian. Dave Killicoat said, "We are inviting people to step back in time over three and a half centuries as Tom gives us a fascinating insight into that period in time when Cromwell ruled the country and his army garrisoned Ayr, a subject which he has extensively researched." See poster here.

Maybole's "Winter Festival" got off to a great start with the fireworks display and torchlight procession on November 15 to commemorate the granting of the town's charter in November, 1516 AD. The winter festival is organised by Maybole Community Association in association with the community council and Carrick Round Table. Susan Whiteman, Association chairman , said, "Maybole Community Association would like to thank Carrick Round Table for all their help especially with the fireworks display." The programme of events coming up is: Wednesday November 26 Christmas Light Switch On (followed by a family disco in the Town Hall) 5.45pm An adult must accompany children Saturday December 6 Christmas Bazaar in the Town Hall from 10.00am – 12 noon For a stall contact Town Hall Thursday. December 11 Pantomime "Beauty and the Beast" Town Hall 7.00pm for 7.30pm Tickets £3 from committee of June Dunlop The Florist Shop Tuesday December 16 Maybole Council of Churches Family Service of Lessons and Carols 7.00pm in the Town Hall. Followed by Minces pies, tea and coffee. There will also be a best decorated house front and a best decorated window competitions. To enter please register in June Dunlop’s Florist Shop The Community Association received a grant from Awards For All to help with this Festival.

A women's health group in Maybole has got off to a great start. On the first evening they met, twenty seven women of all ages and fitness levels turned up. At the second meeting there were thirty one, and now after several weeks the register stands at forty three members. Secretary Marie Buchanan said, "This great enthusiasm for embracing health issues shows the great need in Maybole and surrounding areas for positive action by those who are responsible for community health. The group has already come up with several ideas which will improve their quality of life." Meetings will be held in Gardenrose Primary School on Mondays at 7.30pm. The management committee is Chairperson - Carol McCahill Secretary - Marie Buchanan Treasurer - Gwen Reid Member -Christine Johnstone Member - Denise McDermott.

Three members of staff at May-Tag were congratulated last week on achieving work related awards. Christine Kennedy congratulated Zoe Kennedy and Gordon Harper for gaining their second Assessor award and Grace Barrie on her Internal Verifier award. She then presented certificates to all three.

Good news for Maybole's senior citizens. The local OAP Association will be distributing tickets for the Gaiety pantomime on Monday December 1 at the Town Hall from 11am till 12 noon. The next meeting of Maybole OIR will be held later that day at 2,30pm also in the Town Hall when their will be an Avon demonstration, a raffle and mincemeat pies.

People in Maybole are in for a musical feast this week with the Town Hall the venue for a variety show and a St Andrew's Night. Maybole Concert Party is presenting "A Winter Variety Show" in the town hall on Thursday November 27 and Friday 28 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Scruples, local hairdressers or from concert party members with all proceeds going to the new church fund. Maybole Council of Churches is hosting a St Andrew's Night "extravaganza" in the Town Hall on Saturday November 29 when the music will be provided by Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra and friends. Tickets are only £3 and it is pay at the door with proceeds going to Shelter.

November 21st 2003

Young Ali Roy of Maybole did well at the recent Glasgow chess competition for primary 5 pupils. On the Saturday she got 4th place with three and a half points out of five and on Sunday she got first with six points out of six. Ali, a pupil at St Cuthbert's Primary School, now goes on to qualify for the finals for primary 5 at Edinburgh in May. She is also a member of Carrick Chess Club who went to Greenwood Academy last week and drew with the En Passant team. Individual results, with the Carrick names first were: Steell McFadzean 0 - 1 John Wainright; John Bryden 0 - 1 S Swanston; Kenny Brooksbank 1 - 0 Gordon Martin; Athol Macgilchrist 1 - 0 Kevin Burns. Dr. K Brooksbank lives in Girvan and would like to give anyone from that area a lift to the chess club's Wednesday night meetings at the town hall in Maybole.

Maybole Ladies Golf Club are holding their annual general meeting on Monday December 8. It will be held in the clubhouse at 7.30pm.

The annual general meeting of Maybole Community Development Group will be held in Maybole Castle on Thursday December 11 at 7.30 pm. The group completed it three year project at the end of May this year and the agm will decide on a proposal to wind the group up. All local organisations who were affiliated to MCDG will be invited to the meeting.

Maybole's fireworks display was a great success last Saturday evening with hundreds of local families turning out to enjoy the spectacle. Organisers, Maybole Community Association, were delighted with the response and with the turnout for the torchlit procession. Susan Whiteman, association chairman, would like to thank Maybole Pipe Band, local police, members of the ambulance service and firefighters for their assistance. She would especially like to thank Carrick Round Table for all their help and financial contribution towards the costs of the night.

The big switch on for Maybole's Christmas lights is planned for Wednesday November 26 at 5.45pm. Taking part in the ceremony will be the town's King and Queen of Carrick as well as local councillors. Santa will be picking them up in his sleigh at the Carnegie Building at the foot of the High Street at 5.30pm. and take them to the Town Hall for the switch on. Afterwards, there will be a disci for young people in the Hall organised by the Community Association.

Maybole Town Twinning Association held its AGM last week and new officebearers are: William Grant, chairman; Hugh Anderson, vice chairman; Maureen Craig, secretary; and Margaret Davidson, treasurer. In his report for the past year William Grant told members that there had been progress on a brochure, which is waiting for approval after proofreading, and a web site www.mayboletowntwinning.co.uk. He added, "It is so important that these are implemented now, we must sell ourselves locally." He went on, "In September we welcomed a group of 25 from Crosne. The weather was reasonable and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. We had problems because we were short of hosts, but hopefully after talking to some people we should have more hosts in future. In October ten of us visited Schotten to participate in the completion of the twinning between Schotten and Maybole, and take part in the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of twinning between Beloeil, Crosne and Schotten, and of course enjoy the Pipe band Championships, which Schotten will be repeating next September. We continue to be actively involved in the South Ayrshire Joint Twinning forum, which is now up and running again with Provost Gordon McKenzie. We thank the Provosts and South Ayrshire Council for their continued enthusiasm for twinning. Finally I would thank my fellow office bearers for their work and commitment throughout the year, and of course this goes for anyone who has helped in any way."

Maybole now has a trigger point to aim for in its campaign but there is some concern locally that it is set at quite a high figure. Sarah Anderson who is co-ordinating the Maybole campaign contacted us earlier this week to say, "I woke up this morning to a lovely email from BT." It said, ""If you did not previously have a trigger level and want to check whether your exchange has been given one, please do so by either inputting your telephone number into the checker at www.bt.com/broadband, or clicking on the banner on the site. This is fantastic news and due in large part to the way in which you have demonstrated your commitment to getting broadband to your communities. It is a huge step forward in extending the coverage of broadband across the UK, when all the exchanges with triggers are enabled more than 99% of UK homes and businesses would be connected to broadband exchanges. We would all like to say a big Thank You to you for all your efforts." When Sarah checked the trigger lever she found that it is set at 500 which she is optimistic about. "Currently Maybole has 173 people registered for broadband," she said so it's a long way to go but at least now we know where we are going!" She added, "I am so happy and about to be so tired by pounding those streets!" The figure for Girvan is 450 which is perhaps surprising as it has a larger population than Maybole. Sarah commented, "The figure of 500 is basically the maximum number so I'm a bit disappointed for that reason but at least we now have a number rather than being regared as unviable. Perhaps a better way to look at it is we need just over 300 more to get it. We got more than 150 off our own backs so it is reachable." If anyone would like to help her to round the town to get more people to register, Sarah would be happy to hear from them.

On Sunday, Members of the congregation of Maybole Parish Church got a preview of plans for a new church in the town. The official launch of the plans will be this coming Friday, November 21 but church members were first to see what could be in store for them. Maybole Parish Church was created earlier this year when the congregations of Maybole's Old and West churches united. Rev Dave Whiteman welcomed what he described as a great turn out and commented on what had been involved in getting to this stage. "About 18 months ago the congregation voted to have a union of our two churches and to build a new church," he began. He continued, "A committee was formed of twelve folk who were tasked with progressing the new church project and I want to begin today by saying a little about their progress. The committee was split into sub committees each with a specific task. Firstly there was the existing church buildings group who went away to look at what we do with the old buildings. A comprehensive feasibility study was carried out and there was meeting after meeting with the trustees, presbytery, the planning committee of the council, Historic Scotland just to name a few.

It soon became clear that if we wanted to preserve the buildings as important landmarks for the future then housing was the best option. We applied for planning permission last November and it was not until June that it was given. Then there was the new site group tasked with looking at sites in the town. Again many, many meetings took place with site owners, planners etc and they finally whittled it down from six sites to two sites and then finally a preferred site was proposed and again planning permission was sought and granted. Then the fund raising sub committee which was split into two. Major fund raising, that is going out for grants, and local fund raising that is concerts, sale of work etc and again a phenomenal amount of work has been done. Then there was the design sub committee which has looked at the design of the new building. Then there is the community survey sub committee who surveyed every volunteer group in the town. To determine how we could provide for the needs of the community. We have taken on board ARP Lorimer who are the project architects, Peter Walker who has advised on many matters including fund raising and also Brian Wotherspoon who is setting up a web site for us at www.maybolenewkirk.org "

Rev Whiteman then paid tribute to the Maybole New Church Project committee for the work they have done over the last 18 months which has included at least one meeting every week since they began working. He said, "They have put in a tremendous amount of work so thank you." He went on, "We are holding a press launch on Friday in the town hall for the press and at that launch, which the provost has kindly agreed to host, we will have Cathy Jamieson, representatives from the council, and many other dignitaries. "The problem with this launch is that only 160 people can attend and the council have given the church 60 tickets so each elder and each board member has an invitation as well as representatives from many of the congregational groups. So because of the limited numbers on Friday we decided to hold this meeting today to give you a preview of the presentation." He then introduced Gordon Fleming who took those attending through a very comprehensive computer presentation of the proposals and answered questions raised.

November 14th 2003

Maybole remembered its war dead with two services on Sunday, November 9 with perhaps the best attendance of local organisations and members of the public for several years. The services began at 10am with a united service in Maybole Parish Church's west building which is next to Memorial Park. This was led by parish minister Rev Dave Whiteman with Fr Jim Hayes leading one of the prayers. Robert Malone and William Milligan carried the colours of the Royal British Legion Scotland and the Union Flag into the church to be received by the minister. Craig Forson, Carrick Academy boys captain, recited "The Inquisitive Mind of a Child" and Janetta Rodger read Ecclesiastes 3:1-15. The collection will go to Erskine Hospital. Following the church service Maybole Pipe Band led the parade to the war memorial where at 11am there was the traditional two minute silence during a service led by Rev Dave Whiteman, Fr Jim Hayes and Rev Bertie Collie.

Pipe Major Gavin Nicol, of Maybole Pipe Band played the lament and Jim Campbell of the RBLS recited Binyon's Lines "They shall not grow old..." Wreaths were laid by the local branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland, the Women’s Section of the branch, South Ayrshire Councillors Andy Hill and Alan Murray, Maybole Community Council, Families and Friends, Effort for Erskine, Maybole Town Twinning Association, Maybole Community Association, Maybole Council of Churches, Boys Brigade, Scouts, Cubs, Guides, Brownies, Carrick Academy, Masonic Lodges, Apprentice Boys of Derry, Carrick Round Table and members of the local Fire Brigade. Afterwards the pipe band led the parade for the "march past" taken by councillors and clergy. See full page of photos here.

For the last walk in October, members of the Tackety Bit Hillwalking Club started at Caldens campsite and followed Caldens Burn, then Mulmein Burn, then up onto Craignaw. From there they caught the Mulmein Burn again and followed it to its source near the Nick of the Brushy. Keeping to the ridge over Lamachan and across to Curleywee they dropped over White Hill before the steep drop to the Southern Upland Way and back to Bruce's stone where they had left a car to get back to Caldens. The weather was fine for most of the day with one heavy prolonged shower on the last descent.

Rev Dave Whiteman tells us that there are "good things happening with the project to build a new church in Maybole". He added, "We have our official Launch on Friday November 21 at 7.30pm in Maybole Town Hall and it will be hosted by Provost Gordon McKenzie and lots of special guests are invited." Prior to that, after morning worship on Sunday November 16 there will be a preview of plans for members of Maybole Parish Church, which includes the congregations of the former Old Church and West Church which united earlier this year. All church members are invited to attend. Fundraising for the new church project is continuing and Maybole Concert Party is presenting "A Winter Variety Show in the town hall on Thursday November 27 and Friday 28 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Scruples, local hairdressers or from concert party members with all proceeds going to the new church fund. The New Church committee will also be in the Charity Shop during the week beginning December 1 with goods being received on the previous Friday evening on Saturday from 9.30am.

Maybole Council of Churches is hosting a St Andrew's Night "extravaganza" in Maybole Town Hall on Saturday November 29 when the music will be provided by Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra and friends. Tickets are only £3 and it is pay at the door with proceeds going to Shelter.

Maybole Juniors' annual Sportsman's Dinner will be held on Friday November 21 in Carrick Sports Club. Guest speakers this year are Jim Leishman, Livingstone FC, John McKelvie, ex-policeman, and comedian Gary Dennis.

Maybole fireworks display will be held this Saturday November 15 at Glebe Park at 7pm following a torchlight procession from the Greenside. The procession will be led by Maybole Pipe Band, leaving the Greenside at 6.30pm. Everyone is encouraged to bring their own torches but no personal fireworks or sparklers. Last year the event was cancelled due the fire fighters' industrial action but Maybole Community Association's committee are looking forward to building on the success of their first display two years ago when there was a great turn out of local people.