The following information was recorded in the town’s newspaper of 30 December 1916

The advent of New Year was marked by miserable weather conditions, a thick rain falling for nearly the whole of the day. Consequently the usual parade of the streets in holiday attire was awanting. There was an absence of the customary hilarious scenes associated with the “ringing in” of the youthful year, the exhuberant spirits which usually attend to that custom being all across the channel, at Salonica, in Egypt, or in training, bent on more serious work. Beith Instrumental Band, sadly thinned in numbers, played popular airs in the main thoroughfares during the forenoon, but all their efforts failed to dispel the gloom which shrouded the surroundings. With the exception of licensed premises, which were opened from noon until two thirty, nearly all the shops in the town were closed, as were banks and offices. On the Saturday merchants were kept busy with shoppers laying in the necessary supplies wherewith to ragale themselves and perhaps visitors during the holidays, and a thriving trade was done. In the Churches on Sabbath the attendances were far from large. The train alterations on Monday caused confusion among all sections of the public, the changes not being known by those who had made arrangements to leave the town. The increase in the fares too – a return ticket to Glasgow now costs 3/6d – caused perplexity and of course grumbling, and the number of travellers was not to be compared with former years. A promising feature of the New Year is the fortunate position in which the cabinet industry finds itself and this truth is reflected in the brief holiday which the workers have enjoyed, albeit in deplorable weather conditions.

Found, on Kilbirnie Road, False Teeth – Apply at the Supplement Office.

Mr William Crawford, banker, New York, sends the season’s greetings to all friends in his native town.

Porter wanted for Davidshill Hospital, Dalry. Married man without family preferred. Wages not less than 26/- per week with uniform, free house, coal and light. Applications to be lodged in writing to Mr D Andrew, Sanitary Inspector, Beith, on or before Friday, 12^th instant.

Wanted at once, a lad with one or two years experience for Provision Store, able to drive pony; Also, lad for fleshing department, similar experience. Apply. Good wages given. Apply, Conner, the Store, Glengarnock.

Beith Liberal Club has closed down.

Beith Picture Drome & Electic Theature. Monday and Tuesday special programme. Exclusive drama. By arrangement with Gaumont Company. The Jockey of Death, in four reels, the most thrilling and sensational film on the market. Children’s matinee on Monday at 5 pm price – 1d.  Adults at 7 and 9 pm, prices 6d, 4d, 3d and 2d. All children 2d at night.

Among the names of officers in Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig’s dispatch issued last week for distinguished and gallant service and devotion to duty occur those of three local officers, former pupils of Spier’s School. Temporary Second Lieutenant T K Stevenson, Scots Fusiliers, the youngest son of Mr Thomas Stevenson, headmaster, Gordonhill, Beith. This officer has been promoted full Lieutenant. Second Lieutenant Charles G Higgins, the third son of the late Mr Hugh Higgins, Janefield, Beith. The other officer is Temporary Captain J T Scott of Kilbirnie. We offer congratulations to these young officers on being singled out by Sir Douglas Haig for these honours. John Miller, teacher, late of Over Hessilhead, is also mentioned in the list.

Second Lieutenant C G Higgins sends us from France a Christmas card issued by his division, which depicts the attitude of the soldier, speculating what is to come after the Somme.

Lance-Corporal John Logan sends season’s greetings from the Far East.

Mrs John Craig, Woodside Road, has had an acknowledgement from a soldier of socks sent by her.

Among our visitors this week is Driver Adam Millar of the Australian Force, the eldest son of the late David Millar, baker, Beith, and of Mrs Millar, Kings Road. Driver Milllar, who emigrated eight years ago with his wife and family to Rockhampton, Queensland, joined the first Australian Expeditionary Force, and has taken part in all the fierce engagements which made the name of the Anzacs famous throughout the world. He was at the land at Sulva Bay, Gallipoli, and on the evacuation was immediately shipped to France where he has seen much fighting. He has been 28 months under arms and the present is his first leave. Driver Millar looks in splendid trim, and has fully earned his 10 days respite from active work.

A large number of men in khaki were on holiday this week in Beith and included Second Lieutenant Dunlop-Bell of Hillside; Sergeant John Neil and Private Thomas Turner, Canadian Forces; Sergeant-Instructor Martin, Kings Road; Lance Corporal Leslie Martin, RSF; Sappers John White, William Dunn, Robert Fife, William Johnstone and John Clark, Royal Engineers; Private William Kennedy, Seaforth Highlanders; Private Hugh Young, ASC; Trooper Thomas Smith, AIY; Gunner David Hardie, from Erskine House Hospital; Private Donald Neil, late of Townhead; Private James Smith, Scots Guards, home from hospital on sick leave; Cadet Hugh Higgins; Lance Corporal Jack Crawford. 

The death took place on Christmas day of Dr William Pettigrew, MRCS, LRCP, at his residence, 86-88 Attercliffe Common, Sheffield. 66 years of age, Dr Pettigrew was the third son of the late Daniel Pettigrew, hosiery manufacturer, Main Street, Beith, and younger brother of our respected townsman, Mr Daniel Pettigrew, New Street. Deceased received his early education at the Free Church school, Crummock Street, under the late Mr John F Gemmell. Of an intelligent and enterprising nature he had an ambition for higher things than could be attained in the country and he went to Glasgow, where he took a course in medicine at the Old College, finishing his studies in London some 42 years ago from whence he took his medical degree. He has been rarely seen in his native town since he settled in Sheffield and few of his schoolmates here survive him.

Mr M Gilmour, Registrar, has kindly provided us with the list of births, deaths and marriages registered in Beith last year (1916). Compared with 1915 there was a decrease of 7 in the births from 125 to 118. The number of illegitimate births rose from 8 to 10.The deaths numbered 8 over the previous 12 months a rise from 79 to 87. These figures show that we are still moving backwards. The marriages are 4 below 1915 from 38 to 34. The absence of so many men on military service explains the decrease in births and marriages , but does not account for the greater number of deaths. Of the deaths registered in 1916, 22 were under 5 years of age; 3 between 5 and 10 years; 3 between 10 and 20 years; 4 between 20 and 30 yeaers; 5 between 40 and 50 years; 6 between 50 and 60 years; 12 between 60 and 70 years; 16 between 70 and 80 years; 12 between 80 and 90 years and 2 over 90 years.