Two young people in Maybole decided to protest about the new bridge at railway station. On the day that the bridge was officially opened Eilidh Douglas and Euan Grant, both 14, decided to erect a banner on the bridge in protest. Later in the week they went to see Councillor Andy Hill, leader of South Ayrshire Council, to tell them why they had done and say that he told them they were entitled to their views more

Members of Our Lady & St Cuthbert’s Parish Pastoral Council went on retreat to Skelmorlie to share their experiences of the group with parish priest Fr Stephen McGrattan who arrived in Maybole a year ago. On Friday evening they talked about belonging to a PPC and discussed what is involved in being a member and how they had worked together. Pic shows l-r Maureen Hay, David Kiltie, Fr Stephen McGrattan, Bennett Ward, Eileen Hamilton, Jim McDermott, Denise McCaffery, Ellen Hawkes, Dennis McCaffery and Elizabeth Meek. more

Gordon Brown Coach and Organiser Michael Parker 1ST XV Player Stephen Raby 1ST XV Captain Ewan McKay 1st XV Vice Captain

Carrick Academy Rugby. Carrick Academy have been very successful on the park this season but this has been matched off the field too. JM Paterson, Sawmill at Kirkoswald, recently bought the school new post protectors that will be used by all four teams that are now playing out of the school. However, the rugby teams have also had a lot of support from other local businesses and organisations. Last photo above: Gordon Brown Coach and Organiser Michael Parker 1ST XV Player Stephen Raby 1ST XV Captain Ewan McKay 1st XV Vice Captain more

The first winners of the Don Raby Award were presented with the trophy last week by Alex Meek, convener of Carrick Sports Club, after a quiz lasting over three hours. Fiona and Julia McCulloch, Alex Davidson and Craig McNair were delighted to have won what was a real test of knowledge on a wide range of topics. The Wooden Spoon winners would probably not like to be named - although the Park and Large households should have a choice if they need to stir their porridge during the winter.

On Sunday these young parishioners of Our Lady & St Cuthbert's Church started on their journey of faith which will lead to their First Communion and Confrimation next May. They were presented to the other church members with the hope that they will accompany the young people on their journey and will keep them in their payers. Also in the photo are Fr Stephen McGrattan, Mrs Doreen Donald, class teacher, and Mrs Liz Miller, who is the new head teacher at St Cuthbert's Primary School.

On Friday the 18th of November the Carrick Academy took part in Children in Need . The end of day total was roughly £1250 thanks to the teachers and seniors who managed to organise a wide range of activities ranging from football to leg waxing. Most of the seniors dressed up with costumes as varied as Captain Hook and a 118 man with a lot more besides. The Slave for a Day auction raised about £280. These slaves had to do what their “owners” asked of them. Some slaves included Steven Raby, Simon McGregor and Sam Barker. Junior classes were allowed to go down to the band huts to have their faces painted and to take part in competitions. A big thanks to everyone who took part. By Fraser Maclure and Stuart Thomson, students at Carrick Academy.

Bill Young, of Maybole, who won a superb DVD player in Somerfield's Big Swipe promotion last week. Bill says he has been lucky with his savercard, first winning a chocolate flake and then sevral more small prizes before winning this latest prize. Now he has his eye on winning a car!

Pupils and staff at St Cuthbert's Primary School said goodbye to school secretary Mrs Nicky Pridham last Friday. She is off to Auckland, New Zealand with her family to join other family members and the young pupils gave her a send off to remember with a surprise concert packed with humour yet tinged with sadness. Two special features were the traditional New Zealand haka dance and after performing this they coaxed Mrs Pridham to join in a repeat performance. Then three girls perfomed a hilarious "Catherine Tate" sketch which had everyone in stitches including Mrs Pridham as our picture shows. There were also special poems and songs adapted to personalise the event and gifts presented to the popular secretary At the end of the concert Fr Stephen McGrattan thanked her for her helpfulness and cheerfulness over the time she has worked at the school.

Kindhearted residents of Crosne Street, Maybole have been taking part in an initiative called the Inside-Out Project run by the Dark Horse Venture. The Dark Horse Venture is a national charity that encourages retired and older people to get involved in a wide range of activities and interests. This is done through an award scheme that recognises the achievements, talents and abilities of older people and helps put them to practical and creative use. The scheme is open to anyone aged 50 and over and is by far the largest in the UK with over l0,000 participants. more

Carrick & District Homing Society held its annual prizegiving last Saturday evening. Main prizewinners were Archie Jamieson and John McWhirter; Ian Cannon; George Morrison; Alex Lothian; Hugh Gray; Stewart Mackie;Ronnie Davidson and Mark McIntyre; Robert Malone; Jean and James McCulloch; and Brian Jamieson.

Local Heroes Double retirement of Maybole Fire Fighters, John Campbell 32 years service and Andy Meldrum 30 years service. Statues being presented by Sub Officer Jim Davidson and their framed statement of service by S.D.O. David Morrison of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue. Over their long and dedicated fire service careers John & Andy have been involved in raising money for local charities including the River Doon Raft Race and the annual Town Hall Dance and have great memories of both. more

Maybole remembered its war dead with two services last week and the weather for both could hardly have been bigger contrast. It was quite wet and windy on Friday November 11 at 11am when there was the traditional two minutes silence during a service led by Rev Dave Whiteman, Fr Stephen McGrattan and Rev David Jones.This service was attended by the Maybole Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland and several other local organisations and all schools. more

Councillor Andy Hill, Leader of South Ayrshire Council for more than five years, has resigned. As well as giving up the Leadership - which he has held since June 22, 2000 - Councillor Hill has also quit as the Councillor for the electoral ward of North Carrick and Maybole East. Councillor Hill's decision to resign was contained in a letter received by the Council's Chief Executive, Tom Cairns, which stated that it was “with immediate effect.” It was announced last night that Councillor David Duncan, Depute Leader of the Council, has taken over as Acting Leader. Arrangements for the holding of a by-election will be a matter to be considered by the Chief Executive, as Returning Officer, during the next few days. Said Councillor Duncan: “The sudden announcement by Councillor Hill of his resignation has come as a surprise to us, however having had the opportunity to personally discuss the matter with him, I fully understand .. more

The complete text of the headlines above and more articles follows.

November 2005

Last week two young people in Maybole decided to protest about the new bridge at railway station. On the day that the bridge was officially opened Eilidh Douglas and Euan Grant, both 14, decided to erect a banner on the bridge in protest. Later in the week they went to see Councillor Andy Hill, leader of South Ayrshire Council, to tell them why they had done and say that he told them they were entitled to make their views known.

They also asked us if they could explain their thoughts behind what they call “the banner stunt”, and asked that Councillor Hill be given the right of reply. They told us, “We put the banner up a few hours after the bridge was officially opened, and generally the public were supportive of what we had done - and it got them talking about it much more than anything said or done beforehand.

"The whole idea for our banner came about,” said, Eilidh, “when I heard the phrase ‘Andy Hill's Obstacle Course’ being used to describe the bridge, and we wondered why all these people we overheard speaking about the bridge and how terrible it looked - of course we agree with them, we think the bridge is a monstrosity - were not doing anything. So we decided we would do something to try and get people to notice what a farce the bridge was in the most blatant way we could think of.

"The people of Maybole were notified of a £400,000 and nowhere near 13 week project that completely changed a small area of the town with a small A4 page taped to the fence put up to block access to the bridge. So we would notify them of what we thought of their efforts - with a nice, big, clear sign. Maybe if the council had let us know about such a massive project in a clearer fashion, then we would not have felt the need to put our views across like we did. So the next time they want to embarrass us with stunts like the bridge that Maybole is now stuck with, they can be prepared for people to turn round and embarrass them.

Also, on a sidenote, we tried out the experiment using a wheelchair we borrowed from Fairknowe as a follow-up and found that using the side path takes at least a minute less than to use the bridge to get from the disabled car parking space at the train station to the drive of Fairknowe.”Eilidh can be contacted by phone (01655 883060).

Last weekend members of Our Lady & St Cuthbert’s Parish Pastoral Council went on retreat to Skelmorlie to share their experiences of the group with parish priest Fr Stephen McGrattan who arrived in Maybole a year ago. On Friday evening they talked about belonging to a PPC and discussed what is involved in being a member and how they had worked together. Saturday was a lengthy session as members discussed Pastoral Planning and what was happening in the parish at the moment. This took most of the day as they spoke about the areas of service that had been created and brought Fr McGrattan up to date with the thinking behind the structures set up. Before returning home on Sunday, there was time for reviewing the weekend and attempting to plan the way ahead. It is over three years since this PPC was formed in Maybole and elections will be held early in the New Year to form the next one.

Some members of the Tackety Bit Club went to Cairnsmore of Fleet on the weekend past. Although visibility was misty on the top they did manage to get some greta views on the way back down. Other members were on part of the Ardnachmurchan peninsula, above Loch Sunart where they climbed Beinn Resipol from Resipol farm. It was dry but cloudy on the way up but they got a glimpse of Eigg and Rum after they left the top and the cloud cleared.

Local Heroes Double retirement of Maybole Fire Fighters, John Campbell 32 years service and Andy Meldrum 30 years service. Statues being presented by Sub Officer Jim Davidson and their framed statement of service by S.D.O. David Morrison of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue. Over their long and dedicated fire service careers John & Andy have been involved in raising money for local charities including the River Doon Raft Race and the annual Town Hall Dance and have great memories of both. All the crew at Maybole wish John & Andy a sucessful and enjoyable retirement. After a great night out at the weekend John and Andy and families want to thank everyone for a memorable night. Jim Davidson's number is 883689.

Kindhearted residents of Crosne Street, Maybole have been taking part in an initiative called the Inside-Out Project run by the Dark Horse Venture. The Dark Horse Venture is a national charity that encourages retired and older people to get involved in a wide range of activities and interests. This is done through an award scheme that recognises the achievements, talents and abilities of older people and helps put them to practical and creative use. The scheme is open to anyone aged 50 and over and is by far the largest in the UK with over l0,000 participants. Inside-Out is one of several projects run by The Dark Horse Venture designed to give older people from all kinds of backgrounds and circumstances the opportunity to play a part in their local communities and the wider world. They are particularly keen for those who are living in residential type care, sheltered housing or who find it difficult to leave their homes, to get involved. The project can be used for shared activities in community groups, luncheon clubs and day centres but is equally valuable for individuals to take part on their own. The Crosne Street residents decided that they would fill shoeboxes with Christmas gifts as part of Blythswood Care 2005 Shoebox Appeal.

Carrick Academy Rugby. Carrick Academy have been very successful on the park this season but this has been matched off the field too. JM Paterson, Sawmill at Kirkoswald, recently bought the school new post protectors that will be used by all four teams that are now playing out of the school. However, the rugby teams have also had a lot of support from other local businesses and organisations. The school would like to thank the following:

Jabil Circuits

International Packaging Cooperation

Dailly Road Stores

The Morrison Trust

Maybole Health Centre

J Marshall and Sons

J M Paterson

W G and Sons

Without these generous donations then rugby in the school would not be growing in the way it is. Also, the School 1^ST XV are going on tour in February and are looking for help in meeting the costs of the bus. If any local business or organisations are interested in helping then can you please contact Mr Gordon Brown at the school on 01655882389.

S1/S2 Training Session. Carrick Academy’s S1 and S2 sides had two Glasgow Professional players visit their training session on Thursday after school. Calvin Howarth and Sam Pinder took 35 boys through their paces and the boys really enjoyed themselves. The visit was organised by Glen Tippet (SRU Development Officer for South Ayrshire) and the school would like to thank Calvin, Sam and Glen for taking time out of their busy schedules to come down to Maybole

The Scottish Community Foundation is still looking for people who live or work in the Maybole area to join its Fair Share Trust local panel and help determine how £374,477 of lottery money should be spent.

The selected area is centred on Maybole and also includes the communities of Crosshill, Dailly, Dunure, Fisherton, Kirkmichael, Kirkoswald, Minishant, Maidens, Straiton and Turnberry.

Groups and organisations running projects that will benefit people living in this area are able to apply for grants of between £5,000 and £250,000 from the Fair Share Trust to help them in their work. Grants will be made to support projects that contribute to the overall aims of the Big Lottery Fund Fair Share Trust programme., which are to:

The Local Panel has an ongoing role in commenting on applications for funding for Fair Share projects in the area. The intention is for the panel membership to reflect the needs and interests of the local community and no special expertise or experience is required.

The Fair Share Trust Fund for Maybole area was originally £450,00 and has already made the following two grants in the area:

If you or someone from a group or organisation you’re involved with would be interested in joining the Fair Share Trust local panel for the Maybole area and you’d like more information, then please contact Helen Leah at the Scottish Community Foundation on 0141 225 6670 or email helen@scottishcf.or

Maybole and District Seniors Forum was officially set up last week as a new group in the town. Angus Nimmo, Development Officer for West of Scotland Seniors Forum, welcomed everybody and recapped on the details of the previous meeting which had been held on 12th October in Maybole Town Hall.

He explained that the object to day was to set up Maybole Senior Forum as a new fully constituted organisation.David Kiltie then went over the proposed constitution and those present agreed to the following changes: The group should be called Maybole and District Seniors Forum. The management committee would be four officers Chairperson, Vice chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer. The committee would consist of 11 members. The following office bearers were duly elected:

Chairperson David Kiltie;

Vice chairperson Robert Malone;

Treasurer Stella Mc Ewan;

Secretary Nessie Connolly.

The committee members elected were P Barton, J Riddick, M Gallagher, M Fox, H Hill, A Fraser and M Sym.The new constitution was then formally adopted and signed. It was agreed to open a new bank account in the name of Maybole and District Seniors Forum with two of three signatures required to operate the account. The three being Chairperson, Secretary or Treasurer.

Willie Johnson, from South Ayrshire Elderly Forum Steering Committee, then spoke about the help that they can give to the new group, and spoke about the meeting scheduled for the John Pollock Centre on 11th November.

He said that a coach would collect those wishing to attend from Maybole Town Hall at 9 30am. Maybole holds an Armistice Day ceremony on 11th November and a number of members would be attending that. The members agreed that people who cold not go on the coach could hire the Carrick mini bus to follow on for lunch and the afternoon session.

Willie also asked members to sign the Pensioners Charter which he had with him. The members agreed that the committee should meet in the MAP office at 2pm on 7th December to discuss a programme of events and meetings for next year. The Resource Centre offered to host a Christmas gathering on 21st December from 2pm to 3 pm. The next full members meeting will be on the 18th January 2006 in the committee rooms in the Town Hall.

Maybole remembered its war dead with two services last week and the weather for both could hardly have been bigger contrast. It was quite wet and windy on Friday November 11 at 11am when there was the traditional two minutes silence during a service led by Rev Dave Whiteman, Fr Stephen McGrattan and Rev David Jones.

This service was attended by the Maybole Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland and several other local organisations and all schools. Bugler was Jim Campbell and Pipe sergeant Kevin McDermott played the lament. Billy Swan recited Binyon’s Lines “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.”

He also recited the Kohima Epitaph “When you go home, tell them of us and say: 'for your tomorrow we gave our today'”. It was glorious and sunny if a bit cold on Remembrance Sunday, November 13, when there was an ecumenical church service in the Town Hall again led by Rev Whiteman. The service began at 10am with Robert Malone and William Milligan carrying the colours of the Royal British Legion Scotland and the Union Flag into the packed hall to be received by the minister.

Also assisting were Fr Stephen McGrattan and Rev Tom McVicar; Andrew Curry of Carrick Acdemy recited “In Flanders Fields” and Janetta Rodger read from the gospel of St John. Following the 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 Whiteman and Fr McGrattan. Pipe Major Gavin Nicol, of Maybole Pipe Band, played the lament and Jim Campbell was again the bugler.

Billy Swan recited “Binyon's Lines" and the Kohima Epitaph. Wreaths were laid by the local branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland, the Women’s Section of the branch, South Ayrshire Councillor Andy Hill, Maybole Community Council, Families and Friends, Effort for Erskine, Maybole Town Twinning Association, Maybole Council of Churches, Boys Brigade, Scouts, Cubs, Guides, Brownies, Carrick Academy, Masonic Lodges, Apprentice Boys of Derry, Carrick Round Table, the local Fire Brigade and Maybole Community Association.

Afterwards the pipe band led the parade for the "march past" taken by councillors and clergy. For those unable to join the parade there was a short service of Remembrance in the Town Hall at 11am.

Minishant SWRI held its 82nd birthday party in the IFE wing of Minishant Primary School last Thursday evening. After a delicious buffet provided by members, President Kathleen Hawthorn had the pleasant duty of presenting certificates to several ladies in recognition ot heir loyalty and serevice to the Rural. Mollie Barclay received a certificate and badge of honorary President of Minishant SWRI. In her forty years of membership Mollie has sewrved two terms of office as President, held posts on the committee and been a member of various baking teams who took part in Ayr Flower Show and other competitions. Certificates of loyal service were also awarded to Janet Blake, assistant treasurer; Mattie Hutton, for many years baker of the birthday cake and keen member of the ladies bowling team; and Mary Barclay, former committee member and competition baker. Each of these ladies has been Rural members for over fifty years. The Institute Awards were also presented and the winners were: The Maclehose Salver (baking) Janice McJannet The Mollie Barclay Cup (craft) Margaret Miller Tulip Cup (overall highest points total) Janice McJannet Congratulations to all winners and thanks to all who entered competitions throughout the year. The evening was then rounded off with a fun quiz - well, some of the answers were amusing! This was won by “The Four Tops” while “The Odd Bods” took the wooden spoon. Thanks to everyone who contributed in any way to what was a very successful and enjoyable evening.

Councillor Andy Hill, Leader of South Ayrshire Council for more than five years, has resigned. As well as giving up the Leadership - which he has held since June 22, 2000 - Councillor Hill has also quit as the Councillor for the electoral ward of North Carrick and Maybole East. Councillor Hill's decision to resign was contained in a letter received by the Council's Chief Executive, Tom Cairns, which stated that it was “with immediate effect.” It was announced last night that Councillor David Duncan, Depute Leader of the Council, has taken over as Acting Leader. Arrangements for the holding of a by-election will be a matter to be considered by the Chief Executive, as Returning Officer, during the next few days.

Said Councillor Duncan: “The sudden announcement by Councillor Hill of his resignation has come as a surprise to us, however having had the opportunity to personally discuss the matter with him, I fully understand and wish him well.” Concern for his health has been one of the main reasons behind Councillor Hill's decision. During the summer Councillor Hill underwent surgery on a knee, and he is known to have been under medication for some time for a medical condition.

Said Councillor Hill: “Several individual factors of varying degrees of importance have combined to influence and indeed to persuade me to take the decision which I have taken. “My own health, the pressure that the job of Leader entails and the consequent stress on my family are all matters which have been in my thoughts when coming to my decision.

“The major responsibilities which I have carried as Leader of the Council, the hours of duty, and the considerable travelling associated with my representing the Council on external organisations and bodies, have combined to put a tremendous pressure on my health.” Councillor Hill recalled: “I served as Depute Leader of the Council for one year, and when Councillor John Baillie stood down as Leader for reasons of pressure of business, I was invited to step in.

“I have relished the responsibility of Leader for the past five years since then, and have given total commitment to fulfilling the important role which I have carried out on behalf of the people of South Ayrshire. “Given that all Councils in Scotland, including South Ayrshire, have had to work within the financial limitations imposed by the Scottish Parliament, and that South Ayrshire has been required to make substantial savings of literally millions of pounds each year, I am stepping down in the knowledge that the Council, under my Leadership has delivered what was required as best as it possibly could.”

Continued Councillor Hill: “Whether it be the Council Tax level, or Council House rents, or the vast range of services the Council provides for the benefit of the people of South Ayrshire, I am aware of the prudent management which has been undertaken – and the true value for money which has been obtained for the benefit of the residents of South Ayrshire.

“I oversaw an extremely important phase of the Council's life, with a range of service reviews and management restructuring being concluded, not only to make financial savings, but to ensure the Council is geared up for the needs of the future. “I am proud to have played the role which I have done in bringing into place the planning and preparations for the implementation of a streamlined Council service for the future of the people of South Ayrshire.”

Born and brought up in Glasgow, Councillor Hill has spent most of his life living in Maybole, serving for the first three years of South Ayrshire Council's existence as Councillor for the Maybole electoral ward. In May, 1999, when the number of wards was increased, and the Maybole ward split, Councillor Hill was successfully elected to the then newly created North Carrick and Maybole East ward, and was successful returned as member for the same ward at the election on May 1, 2003.

Prior to South Ayrshire Council coming into being, Councillor Hill served on Strathclyde Regional Council, as Councillor for the Carrick Electoral Division. He was Vice Chair of the Regional Council's Divisional Development Committee for the Ayr Division, and also served on the Regional Council's General Purposes Committee and Social Work Committee. ( November 2005 )