September 24th 2004

September 17th 2004

September 10th 2004

September 3rd 2004

Maybole Historical Society starts its 2004-5 session next Monday, September 6 at 7.30pm. .The first speaker is well known local historian David Hunter who will talk on “Our Carrick VCs” The Society has recently been playing a major role at the Castle more

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September 24th 2004

Last Saturday members of Maybole Walker Club again laid a wreath at the Covenanters’ Memorial just outside the town. In attendance were Club President Andrew Jess Jnr; Vice President David Harkness, Secretary Billy Galloway, Treasurer Michael Galloway, and Chaplain Andrew Hill Jnr.  Billy Galloway said that the club had been in existence now for 14 years and had started a tradition of laying a wreath at the memorial as the Covenanters were a part of the club’s history. The Maybole Covenanters mustered in a field at Whitefaulds (where the house known as "Muster Lea" now stands) and marched to fight for their faith at Bothwell Brig in 1679. Among the 1,200 prisoners taken after the Covenanters fled the field were 257 who, after five months imprisonment in Greyfriars Churchyard, refused to renounce their belief and were shipped as slaves to America but were drowned when their ship, the "Crown", foundered in a storm off the Orkneys in December, 1679. Among these 257 were 21 Carrick men and of these six were Minniebolers. Their names are inscribed on the Covenanters' Memorial on the Cross Roads - Mungo Eccles, Thomas Horne, Robert McGarron, John McHarrie, John McWhirter and William Rodger.

Thousands of schools from all over Britain take par in one of the largest chess competitions in the country. The best players in each school go on to the next stage. Ali Roy was champion in St. Cuthbert's primary school and went on to play in the Megafinal, the second stage where the Scottish children from many schools took part. She won 6/6 and was the best of the girls & boys of her age group. The next stage was the Gigafinal in Manchester, where children from English counties, Scotland, Ireland & Wales met. Ali was runner up in the girls' section for under 9s. The winners went on to play in the Terafinal in Sheffield. Ali was invited to play in the challengers section, where all age groups played together. She won 3/6. From these competitions her grade improved from 515 to 912! She also won £36.93 worth of books and some of them you can see in the photo. Grandmaster Michael Basman emphasised to the remaining 150 children at Sheffield that every single one of them should be proud of themselves for reaching the final day of this very prestigious competition.

One thing about the Maybole web site is the school photos that get submitted  for inclusion on www.maybole.org.  This one is sure to generate quite a bit of interest as many of these young  Cairn pupils are still going strong, although all must be using their bus  passes. This is primary 2 in 1942 and we think they must have been born around 1936.  Can anyone supply their names? Larger images

COMMUNITY EDUCATION COURSES AUTUMN 2004-05  Informal and friendly. A chance to learn locally  To find out more please contact Carol George, Community Education Office, Carnegie Building, 1 High Street, MAYBOLE or call 01655 882105 more

September 17th 2004

Last week Maybole played host to a Cardinal when Cardinal Keith O'Brien  visited Out Lady & St Cuthbert's. It was the regular September meeting of Catholic Youth Service, Scotland  of  which he is the Episcopal President and attends all their meetings  wherever  they take place. Fr Jim Hayes is the Galloway Diocese's youth officer and he was hosting  the  meeting and that is why he and the youth officers from the other  Scottish  dioceses were all in Maybole where the Galloway diocesan Youth Office is  based.  The cardinal's presence had sparked unusual interest by TV and national  press who were wondering why he was visiting the Capital of Carrick. He was  seen on TV later that night being interviewed at the church.

Way back in February 2004 Christine Kennedy at Maybole Access Point received an information pack explaining about how you could put your project forward for a national award recognising the good work it does in the Community.  The first problem you had to produce no more than 2,500 words telling the judges all about the project and how its helps people - and if anyone knows Christine then you will know this was hard for her, because once she starts talking about MAP you can hardly shut her up so 2,500 was not enough for her. She was petrified that she would miss something important out.  He application had to be in by end of April so was duly posted off and in July MAP had a visit from a National Training Award Verifier who needed to clarify that it existed and that the project does what was claimed in the 2,500 words.

The verifier also explained that three out of ten projects only get through to the first round and that MAP was to be congratulated on getting to this stage. The information gathered would be presented to the judging panel at the end of the month. At the interview Christine became a little emotional when discussing the progress that has been made by some clients and she felt afterwards that the lady would be away thinking either she was some actress or that she had a screw loose.  However, in August MAP received a letter and champagne telling them that they were through to the final where winners are announced Oscar style!!!!  Now the problem is if you don’t win how do you remain smiling and then another big problem. It is a black tie affair so what do you wear?

Last weekend some Tackety Bit Club members went to Braemar not for the Gathering but to walk in the Cairngorms. After cycling to Derry Lodge they took the path up the ridge over Carn Crom and onto Derry Cairngorm where some mist was hanging on the tops of Cairn Toul and Ben Macdui. It soon burned off and it was a beautiful day with a breeze to keep the midges hiding. The descent to Loch Etchachan and up to the granite tors of Beinn Mheadhain and the tops of the plateau gave spectacular views of the rest of the Cairngorms, Loch Avon and the great corries of Carn Etchachan and Ben Macdui. There were a few coveys of ptarmigan seen and also some grouse and hares. The return route was down Glen Derry past the Hutchison Memorial Hut back to the bikes and a great run out.

September 10th 2004

Opening Ceremony for the New Scottish Parliament: Maybole’s Alex Kelly has been chosen to represent Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley at the opening ceremony of the new Scottish Parliament as part of a competition organised by local MSP Cathy Jamieson. Local voluntary organisations, community groups and individuals throughout the constituency were asked to nominate someone who they thought had made a difference to their community and was worthy of representing the constituency.  The winner was chosen by an independent judging panel made up of Sir John Orr, ex-Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police, Gordon McKenzie, Provost of South Ayrshire Council, and Jane Darnbrough, Provost of East Ayrshire. All of those nominated were recently invited to a reception, held at the County Buildings to thank them and to recognise their own contributions to communities throughout Ayrshire.

Alex Kelly was chosen by the independent judging panel to take part in the ceremony on 9^th October, when the Queen officially opens the new Scottish Parliament.    Alex has worked for the community of Maybole in a range of different organisations over the years – he is currently Chairman of Carrick Crime Prevention Panel which works to educate local young people about the dangers of alcohol and drugs misuse, a member of Maybole Community Council and South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership, a teacher at the Royal Lifesaving Society, and a volunteer within Carrick’s Community Schools.  He also works with Victim Support and is responsible for organising Maybole’s annual Christmas lights display.

Alex Kelly wasn’t the only nominee from Maybole, Pearl Barton who works tirelessly for older members of the community, was also nominated and attended the recent reception along with Alex.  Maybole Community Council’s David Kiltie received a well-deserved nomination but unfortunately wasn’t able to attend the reception.

Cathy Jamieson MSP said: “It is important that we get the chance to recognise the vital contributions made by all of those nominated who have made a real difference in helping to improve the local community and I know that the judges had a very tough decision to make.  Alex Kelly is a deserved winner and I look forward to seeing him on the 9^th October at the official opening ceremony. I would also like to thank Pearl Barton for the effort and time she gives up to help others, and even though she wasn’t chosen to take part in the ceremony on 9^th October, I hope that she will come through to Edinburgh and pay me a visit when the new building opens.

If any constituents would like to visit the new Scottish Parliament please telephone Cathy Jamieson’s constituency office on 0845 458 1800 for further details.

TAVISH SCOTT VISIT WELCOMED BY LEADER OF COUNCIL. Last week the Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services, Tavish Scott  MSP, was welcomed by the Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Andy Hill, to Maybole’s Carnegie building. Said Councillor Hill: “I was delighted that Mr Scott was able to take the time to visit the building and to see for himself just how successful it has been.” One of the projects based in the refurnished building is Signposts and Councillor Hill added that it had been established in June 1995 and has also proved to be a great success.  “I explained to the Minister,” he said, “how the Signposts Project aims to assist the unemployed, school leavers, women returners and people in employment find jobs in a wide range of ways. It now enjoys strong links with local employers, schools and a wide range of organisations and really does play a vital role within the community in helping local people fulfil their potential.”

While at the Signposts Project, Mr Scott was also provided with information about the SCOOP project at Girvan -  an area-based training and employment initiative which is part of the Social Justice section within South Ayrshire Council. Set up in January 1995 by Strathclyde Regional Council in response to the large percentage of unemployed people within the South Carrick area, SCOOP aims “to assist residents of South Carrick to access training and employment” said Councillor Hill. Since October 1997, when a new database was introduced, more than 1300 clients have registered with the project. 

Mr Scott was told of the project’s main activities - firstly guidance and support relating to job search, which is usually provided on a one-to-one basis and secondly, training  –  including delivery by SCOOP staff of basic IT and personal development courses and also acting as a facilitator for other providers.   In September 2003, The Learning House at SCOOP was awarded the Learndirect Scotland “Learning Centre of the Year” award, coming top from a total of 450 centres nominated for the award.   Mr Scott and his party also visited the Community Education offices in the building and the library.

The committee with those who received  long service awards at the front The Afternoon Tea held by the local committee of Arthritis Research Campaign raised £2,738. The committee would like to thank everyone who contributed to such a successful afternoon. During the afternoon four members of the committee were presented with long service framed certificates.  Kevan Carty, area manager for West of Scotland and the Highlands presented these to Mollie Barclay, 21 years, Mary Limond, 21 years, Nan Gilmour, 21 years and Margaret Faulds, 10 years.

Margaret Hutchison, left, presenting cheque to Elizabeth McGill Staff of the Royal Bank of Scotland in Maybole recently held their own mini-Olympics as well as arranging quizzes to raise funds for local charity, the Barbara McGill Trust. Last week Margaret Hutchison presented a cheque for £201 to Mrs Elizabeth McGill in the bank office.

September 3rd 2004

Agnes McGill from Kirkmichael, seen here with her daughter, receives a copy of her husband's ancestry chart from Murray Cook, President of Maybole Historical Society. In a recent survey to determine the use and future of the Local and Family History Centre in Maybole, the Historical Society offered the research of a family tree as an incentive to ensure as many people as possible responded. Completed questionnaires were returned by a large number of people and gave the Society a very good insight in to the people who are using the facilities and what is needed in the future. The ultimate winner of the prize was Agnes McGill who is actually from Ireland and has already had her own Morrow and Blair families traced by a researcher in Ireland so she asked for the same thing to be done for her husband Charles McGill's family.

Dave Killicoat managed to trace her husband's family back on all lines to the late 1700s and there are still a number of possibilities which will allow Agnes to go even further back without leaving Ayrshire. One or two interesting ancestors were found, one in Blair Atholl but most from Ayrshire although spread over the whole county with a fair concentration in Carrick. It turns out that Charles McGill is descended from Irish Morrows and also from Hugh Rodger, Burns' schoolmaster in Kirkoswald and is therefore a distant cousin of Helen McAdam (chair of the Historical Society).

Maybole – Surestart Women’s Group. After a very successful weeks fundraising in the Charity shop the Maybole – Surestart Women’s Group is ready to start on its Autumn Programme of activities. The group is open to all women in the town who are interested in finding about more about family issues such as health, training, money issues and much more.   The emphasis in the group is on fun – the programme is decided by the members and covers a range of interests for example aromatherapy, looking after yourself, cooking ideas, arts/crafts, self-defence, pilates are some of the topics on offer.

This is also one spot in the week when members can relax and have a short break from the kids as a crèche is also provided. So feel free to come along to the next session – Thursdays 12.45 – 2.45pm in the Surestart Building at Carrick Academy or contact Carol George on 01655 882105 or Cathie Barr on 01655 882111. You can be sure of a warm welcome, coffee and a spot of relaxation!

This Sunday September 5 is Doors Open Day and two Maybole buildings will be open to the public. Maybole Castle will be open from 10am till 4.30pm thanks to the local Historical Society. Pupils at St Cuthbert’s primary school will host the opening of Maybole Town Hall from 11am till 4pm. They will be guiding visitors around the building and also performing Scottish country dances and some short sketches about court cases. There will also be a display of the children’s work and notelets on sale. They are also hoping to provide a cup of tea and biscuits for visitors. Everyone is welcome to go along.

Maybole Historical Society starts its 2004-5 session next Monday, September 6 at 7.30pm. Anyone intending to go along is asked to note that the venue has moved from the Town Hall to Maybole Castle.

The first speaker is well known local historian David Hunter who will talk on “Our Carrick VCs” The Society has recently been playing a major role at the Castle and to let members and the Society’s many friends see exactly what is happening there will be a special open day this Saturday, September 4 from 12 noon to 6 pm.

Dave Killicoat, vice chairman says, “Please come along. The atmosphere will be very informal with guided tours of the castle on request but you will also be free to wander through our displays at a leisurely pace, ask questions of our volunteers, make suggestions for improvements or other displays and also partake of our light buffet with a glass of wine or other liquid refreshment. We look forward to seeing as many as possible on the day.”

Dave went on to say, “The summer of 2004 may have been wet and miserable for many but for our Society it has been a great one that will be remembered for many years to come. With May-Tag leaving the Castle an approach was made to the new estate Factor, Chris Savage, to ask if it would still be possible to open the Castle to the public on Ayrshire Doors Open Day on 5^th September.

The reply we received was beyond our wildest expectations as we were asked to open the Castle to the public on behalf of the Estate on any number of days we wished over the summer period.  We were also asked to be part of a new “trust”, which will hopefully be formed very soon, to take over the running of the Castle and turn it in to a Heritage Centre. We are still trying to convince our venerable President that this is not a dream!”

He went on to say that a programme of openings was prepared covering different days of the week and different times during the day, the idea being to test the water and find out what the best times to open might be. Dave added, “We have been overwhelmed by the number of visitors, the diversity of their countries of abode and the enthusiasm they have shown about what we are doing in the castle. Our original idea on opening times has had to be rethought as we have now discovered that if we open the castle twenty four hours a day, seven days a week we will probably never have a time without at least one visitor!”

“Another great delight,” he said, “has been the fact that people have been offering their photographs for copying and display and we have now more than doubled the collection of images of old Maybole. There is also a display of old maps and a number of local and family history resources and there will also be a number of original oil paintings of Maybole by Gordon Cockburn (for sale through his gallery in the High Street), a display of Carrick’s natural history by Fred Westcott, a room dedicated to the ancestry of the various branches of the Kennedy Clan and a display on the boot and shoemaking trade in Maybole.”

One other piece of news that has great significance for the preservation of the history of North Carrick is the transfer of the vast collection of archives from the Castle to Ayr Archives. Dave said, “We are very grateful to the factor and trustees of the estate for allowing this and to Ayr Archives for their continuing hard work in facilitating this. It is possible that this is one of the most significant acquisitions of archives anywhere in Scotland for some considerable time and its value cannot be underestimated.”

Dave also met with local MSP Cathy Jamieson recently to highlight the Society’s ambitious plans for a heritage centre at Maybole Castle. Afterwards the MSP said, “The Historical Society’s plans are fantastic and I wish them every success. The Castle is the town’s most recognisable symbol and the plans to turn it into a heritage centre will showcase the huge range of photos and documents, many dating back centuries, that the Historical Society have collected.

I know that Maybole Historical Society have contact with people from all around the world who have an interest in the town, and the establishment of a heritage centre would help to attract an ever increasing number of tourist and visitors to the area.”

Future dates and speakers are:

Monday October 4                              Mr Tom Barclay – Covenanters in the Carolinas

Monday November 1                          Marion Stewart – Dumfries & Galloway Archives

Monday December 6                           St. Andrew’s Night at Drumellan House. Ticket price £7.50. Ticket bookings now being taken but places are limited. The last St. Andrew’s was extremely popular and several members were disappointed as they did not get tickets. Bookings are now being made available to members so if you would like to go please let either Helen McAdam or Dave Killicoat know now or add your name to the list at the next meeting.  Tickets must be paid for by November 1.

Monday February 6, 2005                John Steel - The HMS Dasher Disaster.

SCHOOL sweethearts Alan and Jean Benny celebrated their Diamond Wedding anniversary with a family gathering. The couple, who have lived in Crosshill for 53 years, first met when they were pupils at Ardrossan Academy in the 1930s. Both later worked in the Ardeer Laboratories of the Nobel Explosive Company, before Alan joined the Royal Navy in 1941.  After demob in 1946, he graduated BSc from Glasgow University, and did teacher training at Jordanhill. Jean brought up sons Alasdair and Graham while Alan taught first at the former Patna Junior Secondary School, then later Carrick Academy.  Mr Benny taught Science for three years, before switching to Maths. And he retired from the school in 1981 as principal teacher of Guidance.  Mrs Benny has been a stalwart of both Crosshill SWRI and Crosshill Parish Church, as well as a proud and devoted mum. Mr Benny is a former member of the old Maybole District Council, Carrick Youth Panel and Carrick Speakers Club.

The local Christian Aid committee is holding a coffee morning in Maybole Town Hall on Saturday September 11 from 10am till 12 noon. Everyone is welcome and there will be the usual produce on sale, home baking, plants, bric a brac and bottle stall. There will also be face painting for the children and tickets, £1.50, will be available from committee members or you can pay at the door.