November 2006. The complete text of the headlines above and more articles follow below.

Once again kind hearted residents of Crosne Street sheltered housing complex have decided that they would fill shoeboxes with Christmas gifts as part of Blythswood Care Shoebox Appeal. Our photograph shows them with their contribution prior to making up the boxes which will be sent to troops who are abroad at Christmas.. Some of the residents also are part of a sewing B and have made up blankets, baby clothes etc which will also be sent to Blythswood Care. As last year, this is part of 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.

Recently, two members of Carrick Academy’s XL Club attended a meeting with Maybole Community Council. Alice Mackie and Kerri Barr were there to show community councillors the DVD they had made highlighting local concerns over the need for a bypass for the town. They had already visited Holyrood at the invitation of Cathy Jamieson MSP and met Tavish Scott, Transport Minister and Jack McConnell, First Minister. After the meeting with the two pupils, members of the community council decided that they wanted to show their appreciation of the effort put in to producing the DVD that they have invited them and the rest of their colleagues to a special event when they will be presented with Certificates of Recognition. This being organised by the community council’s Bypass Committee and will be held in the Town Hall on Monday December 11. Parents and guardians of the pupils involved have also been invited to attend an view the DVD on the night. Interested members of the public are also welcome to go along. The others in the xl group who helped in the production of the DVD were Stephanie Buchanan, Laura Connelly, Hayley Elliott, Graham Lees, Fraser Lindsay, Alexander Little, Craig McLure, Shaun Murphy, David Page, and Danielle Urie.

Maybole’s, Carrick Amateur Football Club made a surprise presentation to Margaret Conkie, to honour her work and commitment to amateur football in the town over the past 10 years. Wendy McClure weaved her magic and managed to get Margaret along to the clubhouse on Saturday before the West of Scotland Cup game against Renfrewshire United. Margaret in her time at the club did a wide variety of jobs, roles and held senior positions within the club, none more important than when she took over the clubs treasurer’s role. Margaret worked diligently and tirelessly over eight years to help keep the club up and running. Margaret along with the rest of the committee worked very hard to raise valuable funds and knew only to well how difficult a task this can be. Margaret made the ideal treasurer. Some of the more senior members at the club, on trying to purchase sports equipment etc., though it was easier to get blood from a stone. Margaret’s motto, “look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves”, wise words indeed. Margaret is taking valuable time out from the football to recharge her batteries; we are all hoping she will soon be back with us and help get amateur football in Maybole firmly back with the best in Scotland.

Fr Stephen McGrattan led a group of parishioners from Our Lady & St Cuthbert's Church, Maybole and friends from other parishes in Girvan, Ayr, Prestwick and beyond to Iona on pilgrimage during the weekend of October 20th-22nd. The group travelled in glorious autumn sunshine from Maybole and crossed from Oban to Mull where they stayed. On Saturday the group continued their journey to Iona, the island where St Columba founded a monastery in AD 563. From the monks who lived on Iona much of the west and north of Scotland received the Christian Gospel. Iona was a centre of art, culture and learning in the Middle Ages and became a favourite final resting place for the kings of Scotland. Fr McGrattan celebrated Mass with the group in the Abbey Church which was rebuilt and restored during the 20th century. On Sunday, on their return journey, Bishop Ian Murray of the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles celebrated Mass with the group in St Columba’s Cathedral in Oban. Fr Stephen said, "The weekend proved to be a spiritual, memorable and enjoyable experience for all 36 pilgrims."

Carrick Chess Club travelled to Dreghorn recently to play against the Greenwood Gambits. The games were all very close, but the score went against Carrick who lost another 5 points. Eric Mackinnon was under pressure all through the game and lost on time. Siegrun Macgilchrist lost her bishop on move 9, but had lots of compensation. Kenny Brooksbank was two pawns down in the endgame but engineered a repetition of moves. Steell MacFadzean was winning, but dropped a piece in the endgame. Ali Roy and Alastair Muirhead both lost.

Results were (Carrick names first): Eric Mackinnon 0-1 Elliott Frew; Siegrun Macgilchrist 1/2 David Gillespie; Dr. Kenneth Brooksbank 1/2 Arthur McCurley; Steell MacFadzean 0-1 Robert Moore; Ali Roy 0-1 Andrew Shields; Alastair Muirhead 0-1 Joe Wain. Carrick 1 - 5 Greenwood Gambits

A St Andrew's Night concert is being held in Maybole Town Hall on Thursday 30th November at 7.30pm. It will feature popular local singer Linton McMillan accompanied by virtuoso accordionist Ian Muir along with the combined choirs of the primary schools in the town. They will be supported by various other local artistes and the proceeds will be shared between the Ayrshire Hospice and the new Community Church. The event is being sponsored by the Parish Church and supported by Carrick Round Table. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. This includes wine and shortbread for adults and soft drinks and crisps for the children. In addition there will be a raffle specifically for the Hospice on the night. Tickets are available from Cameron's Ironmonger in the High Street, committee members, the Hospice Office, local churches and primary schools.

7^th Ayrshire Maybole Scouts and Cubs would like to thank everyone who donated money in the Big Bag Pack they took part in for Scottish Scouting. They would also like to thank Somerfield for allowing them into their shop. Anyone interested in helping with Scouting is invited to phone 01655 882683. Beavers and Cubs meet on Mondays; Scouts and Explorers meet on Wednesdays.

Maybole & District Committee for Cancer Research U.K. would like to thank all who supported the recent coffee morning in Maybole Town Hall. The sum of £2,827 was raised.

Maybole’s war dead were remembered in two services last weekend. The first at the Greenside on Saturday 11th November at 11am was preceded by thunder and lightning and it rained throughout the service. There was the traditional two minutes silence during the service which was led by Rev Dave Whiteman. This service was attended by the Maybole Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland, several other local organisations and individuals. The bugler was Jim Campbell and Pipe Major Gavin Nicol played the lament. Alex Kelly 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”. The following day the weather was not much better but at least the first part of the Remembrance Day services was held indoors. This service was held 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 was Rev Tom McVicar; Sam Fleming of Carrick Academy recited “In Flanders Fields” and Janetta Rodger read from Ecclesiastes. 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. Again Pipe Major Gavin Nicol, of Maybole Pipe Band, played the lament and Jim Campbell was the bugler. Alex Kelly 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 Councillors Alan Murray and Brian Connolly, 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, the local Fire Brigade and Maybole Community Association. Afterwards the pipe band led the parade for the "march past" taken by councillors and clergy and then back to the Greenside. For those unable to join the parade there was a short service of Remembrance in the Town Hall at 11am. Full page of photos. Remembrance Day  Armistice Day

Public confidence in the local Health Board has been lost – they have caused a great deal of anxiety in South Ayrshire. At the opening of the new Accident and Emergency department at Crosshouse Mr Chisholm refuted any suggestions that plans were in place to alter A&E services at Ayr. The Minister for Health and Community Care said: "There are no proposals in place to downgrade A&E services at Ayr Hospital." The Health Minister, who came under increasing pressure over Executive policies was backed by Professor George Irving, Chair of Ayrshire and Arran Health Board. Professor Irving commented at the time: "The opening of the facility at Crosshouse is not at the expense of Ayr." Yet within a few months we heard of proposals to close A&E at Ayr. Community Councils from across South Ayrshire decided to get together to approach the Health Board and invited reps to a meeting in Girvan.

Unhappy with what they heard they decided to start a petition and this attracted over 55,000 signatures. A demonstration was also organised and over 5,000 people attended and marched through Ayr. The Health Board also started what it described as a consultation exercise by holding public meetings. It would not be an understatement to say that the reaction of the public was extremely hostile to the proposals. At these meetings there was no attempt to consult, the meetings were purely to tell people what would be best for them. In fact, at meetings all options were not even explained to the members of the public. There were stormy meetings all over Ayrshire and local meetings were packed out.

It is essential to see what the full consultation elicited. The perception is that the Health Board has totally disregarded the wishes of the people. We were assured that the views of the public would be taken into consideration before any decision was made, yet people feel there has been a shameful disregard of their needs and wishes. All across South Ayrshire there was campaigning by politicians, community leaders and the public. At every turn, people feel that there has been a “deficit of truth” by the Health Board. Every opinion was shot down, attacked, and derided as having no evidence to support it. Apparently, the distance an ambulance has to travel, the time taken to get to an accident and get someone to hospital does not matter!

The Health Board said it was working with Community Councils – not true; it said it was holding meetings hosted by Community Councils – not true; its performance at meetings on unscheduled care was so bad and they had lost all trust that hardly anyone turned up at the meetings for elective care. We have not seen the results of the wide public consultation. What was presented to the Board at the beginning of October was only the results from an exercise in Irvine which was flawed. A maximum of 130 could attend and if more applied there would be a random selection; so people decided to select for themselves eg Maybole CC was happy that I was going. In the end only just over 50 people attended. Even then they doctored (no pun intended) the figures! The public voted for Ayr as the lead (status quo was not allowed) even after a number of people walked out. Yet their vote was altered to “prove” that they were in favour of Crosshouse! The staff event was attended by 78 people nominated! Surprise, surprise, they were in favour of Crosshouse. The Health Board described their plan as being like a three legged stool standing on: Public opinion – yet there has been massive opposition which has not been properly acknowledged, only the gerrymandered public event.

There was massive public opposition, a petition and a demonstration – no mention of these. Staff opinion – consultants, doctors, nurses, paramedics have all been vociferous in their opposition; yet it is only the results of the manipulated event that has been mentioned. Affordability – we were told it was not an issue about cost. Now it seems to be very important. The three legged stool looks very shaky and unstable indeed! How can any professional support such a case? Our campaign has not been political - Community Councils were adamant that it was a non-political campaign, and indeed opposition has come from all sections of the community.

This was not consultation – it was propaganda. All the options were not even explained at public meetings – only the case for closing Ayr A&E. Instead of consultation it was a high-powered campaign to try to persuade us to accept that closure. The Board had all the finance, the TV/radio personalities, the platform had only those who were in favour of closure; there were no speakers who could provide balance, anyone who put a point was ridiculed, arrogantly treated by sanctimonious staff. In fact, one individual should have been disciplined by his bosses for his conduct and the way he treated a member of the public. The National Framework for Service Change in NHS Scotland Rural Access Action Team Final Report shows Ayrshire & Arran as one of Scotland’s most peripheral areas.

We have argued that Prof Kerr’s report was more suited to urban areas but the Board’s experts said there was no evidence to back us up when we said rural areas were different. Well now there is: Dr Mungall is quoted in his report saying, “Trauma deaths are known to be higher in more rural areas, and especially higher if there is no accident and emergency (A&E) department in the district. ‘Dead on arrival’ rates vary between 23% and 74%, the lowest in a metropolitan area and the highest in a rural town.” This directly contradicts the ‘scientific’ evidence referred to but not provided by the Board.

As both sets of evidence are contradictory, at best someone has been withholding information at the public meetings. This consultation was a sham, a disgrace; the Board brushed aside local opinion. They should be sacked for what they have done. The Board is not elected so is not accountable to the public – we would now like to challenge that and we will now be campaigning for this to change. Why are 7 employees allowed to vote on these issues? They were the people who were conducting the propaganda campaign, what about declaration of interest? Health Boards must be made more accountable to the public, employees should not have been allowed to vote. Consultation must be seen to be independent Closure is wrong – every person in Carrick will be affected, lives will be lost.

Press release from Cathy Jamieson MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley

No Change Until New Health Facilities In Place Health Minister Provides Assurance over A&E

MAYBOLE GOLF CLUB

GENTS SECTION

PRIZE WINNERS, 2006.

MENTION OF THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING:-

A) CARRICK SPORTS CLUB, FOR THE USE OF THEIR PREMISES.

B) WILLIE PARKER & HIS STAFF of the CARRICK SPORTS CLUB, FOR PROVIDING A

     GREAT BUFFET and EVENING.

C) ALL MEMBERS AND GUESTS WHO ATTENDED AND HELPED IN MAKING IT AN

     ENJOYABLE NIGHT.

D) EVERYONE WHO PROVIDED RAFFLE PRIZES.