The following information was recorded in the town’s newspaper of 3 February 1917

By the passing away of Mrs William Orr, South Biggart, in her 71^st Year, a most worthy lady is removed from the landward district of the parish. Her husband died suddenly some 30 years ago, and she was left with the responsibility of a large farm and a young family. Her husband, Mr Orr, was among the first batch of elders ordained under the Rev I Grant Sutherland’s ministry, but he only lived about a month after the ordination, to the great loss of the parish church. The Orr’s have farmed South Biggart, which is on the Caldwell Estate, for 42 years. She is survived by three sons and two daughters – one of the former being in Ontario, Canada, and another in Brentwood, Essex.

Under the auspices of Beith Independent Labour Party a very instructive paper was read by Mr Thomas Smith on Robert Burns. Mr Smith dealt with the many-sided characater of the poet as revealed in his poems and writings and paid an eloquent tribute to him for his work to Scottish minstrelsy. The discussion was taken part in by Mr James Anderson, Rev J Lennox, J Minnice and A Cumming. During the evening a few Burns’ songs were sung and Mr Smith was very heartily thanked for his interesting paper.

A grand quoiting match in aid of James Clark, who lost a leg at an accident in Birsieknowe Pit some time ago and has no proper means of support will take place at Ladeside Green, Kilbirnie, on Saturday February 17 at 2.00 pm. Andrew Connell, Darvel versus John Durney, Barrmill. Distance 21 yards. Length of game, 41 shots. Admission 7d.

On Wednesday afternoon what might have turned out to be a very serious affair occurred in Beith Co-operative Bakehouse in Mitchell Street, but disaster was happily averted in time. Fire was discovered to have broken out on the premises, but prompt measures were taken and the outbreak was overcome with slight damage to stock.

Private William Seggie has left for France. Private Archie Peat, Canadians, son of Mr James Peat, plasterer, was in Beith last week. He is to be married to a Fort William lady before leaving for France in a few days time. Private Peat, who is a plasterer to trade, has been seven years in Canada and enlisted in British Columbia a year ago.

In an interesting communication to us from Lieutenant John Miller, Royal Scots, an Old Spierian, who was recently mentioned in dispatches, he states that he has been in France for over a year. He is in good trim and hopes to meet some of his local acquaintances in Beith in the near future.

Lance Corporal J B Howie, HLI, son of Mr J Howie, Eglinton Street, has returned from France on an indefinite furlough , pending admission to a Cadet School.

Soldiers on leave this week include Cadet Hugh Hall; William Carroll, RSF, Mitchell Street; Sapper John Biggart, RE, Wilson Street.

Information has now been officially received that Private John McFarlane Dickie, RSF, previously reported missing, was killed in France on 30^th July last year (1916). The deceased soldier was a cabinetmaker to trade, and was employed at Lochwinnoch before the war. He was a well-behaved youth of 23 years of age, and was very popular with all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He is the second son of the late James Dickie, gardener, Beith.

As we go to press we learn that Lieutenant T K Stevenson, RSF, youngest and dearly loved son of Thomas Stevenson, headmaster, Greenhills School, and of Mrs Stevenson, Gordonhill, Beith, was killed on January, 29 – shot through the head.