Beith

DONALD L REID 503801

Some of the information provided by Donald L Reid for this internet Beith News column may also be included in the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald.

SANDY BLACKWOOD, popular butcher in Beith and one of Scotland's top swimming coaches, recently returned from America where he was coach to five of Scotland's Bite Squad members - Karen Nisbet, David Leith, Bradley Hay, Todd Cooper and Mike Cole. The Scottish youngsters crossed the Atlantic to take part in the USA Open Swimming Championships in Minneapolis.

However, the trip from Glasgow was not without the odd hiccup or two. After flying into Amsterdam, their onward flight was delayed due to fog and bad weather and the flight had to take on more fuel because of high winds across the Atlantic. After returning to the runway for take-off, a fault developed in one of the engines and the passengers had to remain on board the aircraft for a further four hours. Subsequently they disembarked and were put up in a hotel overnight until the engine was repaired.

79 Blackwood's Christmas window

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Sandy, being Sandy, arranged for the youngsters to head straight for a local pool where he put them through their paces. The team subsequently arrived in the USA the following day where they all worked hard in training and put in creditable performances in the USA championships, Todd Cooper coming 3rd in the 100m fly and 3rd in the 200m fly. Karen Nisbet was 6th in her race.

It has to be stressed that the Scottish youngsters were competing against the very best in the world at these championships and part of the benefit was learning from others. Sandy also had the opportunity of meeting and sharing ideas with some of the top coaches in the world.

After spending just over one week in the USA they flew home arriving at Glasgow on Monday and by Thursday Sandy and his squad were in Inverness competing in the Open Short Course competition. All in all a hectic time for the busy Beith butcher, whose motto is sink or swim!

A 10-week community based computer course aimed at developing the practical skills and knowledge required to access the internet will begin in January in the computer suite at 47a Main Street (above Riverhills). Anyone wishing to register or find out more about this particular course or the full range of future planned courses should contact Alan on 01505-594489

Beith library have an interesting Christmas quiz which is sure to appeal to those who enjoy a mentally stimulating challenge. Quiz sheets, which are free, can be uplifted from the library and should be returned by January 31 when the prizewinner will be announced.

There was a good response from younger readers in the 'name the snowman' competition. The young readers were asked to think up a suitable name for the Beith library snowman and the winner was Samantha Denholm of Aitken Drive who came up with the name Jingle. The runners-up were Nicole Jackson of Hawthorn Crescent whose imaginative name was Dudley the Snowman and Caitlyn Chalmers of Glenriddet Avenue, Kilbimie who suggested the name Tinsel.

The good news is that all 28 children who entered win receive a Christmas prize from the thoughtful Beith librarians, so everyone is Indeed a winner.

Important information for bookworms! Beith library will reopen on Friday, January 3 at 2.30pm, so make sure that you get your festive books picked up from Beith library in the next few days.

An innovative joint project is currently being developed between North Ayrshire Council Community Education, James Watt College and Radio City. Locals will be aware that the former cinema and bingo premises at Kilbimie Cross is currently undergoing a major renovation which is great news for the entire Garnock Valley. The project aims to attract adults from 16 years upward who might be interested in radio media skills, broadcasting and programme production.

This is a fascinating opportunity and it is likely that the course will be certificated. The initial meetings to further develop this course will begin in January and it is hoped that a local radio station will be in operation from the new Radio City by August 2003. Anyone interested in this exciting new project should contact lan Young at Community Education on 01294-833173.

Beith Saracen Rangers Supporters Club are traveling to Fir Park for the game against Motherwell on Boxing Day. and the bus leaves Kilbimie Cross at 11.45am and Beith at 12noon. The annual draw will take place in the Masonic Bar, Main Street after the game and all are welcome.

On Sunday they travel to Rugby Park for the game against Kilmamock and the bus leaves Kilbimie at 1.30pm and Beith at 1.45pm. The annual game between the super-fit local Rangers and Kilmamock fans takes place at Geilsland Sports Hall at 11am and survivors will then travel to Kilmamock for the big game!

Supporters are reminded that they are holding their annual Derek Knox Memorial games day on Saturday, January 4 at 1pm in the Masonic Arms. This competition is restricted to dub members only and the committee are hoping for a good turnout. Beith Saracen Rangers Supporters Club and Garnock Valley Kilmarnock Supporters club are holding a quiz competition on Saturday, January 11 at 1pm in the Masonic Arms in Beith. Teams of tour are required or individuals to come along and make up a team on the day. There will be prizes for the winning teams and a raffle. Everyone is welcome.

Beith's Community Constables Jim Dougall and Sandy Brown advise that there is a crime prevention display running in Beith library at present. There are leaflets available giving advice on a number of ways to prevent crime including house and car security.

Beith Bowling Club are holding their annual Burns Supper in the dub on Saturday, January 11 at 6pm for 6.30pm. A list for names of those attending is displayed on the notice board. The annual indoor game is being held at Ardrossan Indoor Bowling Club on Sunday, February 9. A list for names for this game is displayed on the notice board.

On Saturday, December 28 popular group Remedy will entertain at Beith Masonic Club and there will be the usual cover charge of £1.50. On Christmas Eve, there will be a dance and the entertainment will be provided by popular vocalist and keyboard entertainer Sandy Hewitt and there is cover charge of £2 with the usual bingo and raffle.

Regulars are reminded that on Hogmanay, the ; ever-popular and highly entertaining Ecky, will be seeing in the New Year and there will be a cover charge of £5. The profits from the raffle and admission will be donated to Billy Haining's Ayrshire Cancer Support Group, Beith Branch.

A mountain bike course will be held at Caste Semple, Lochwinnoch tomorrow (Saturday) while a map and compass course is being organised for Sunday. For Information on any of these courses, which must be pre-booked, contact Castle Semple on 01505-842882 or those with an internet facility can visit their website at www.clydemuirshiel.co.uk

Mrs. Vivienne MacDonald of Beith, the President of the Church of Scotland Guild, is delighted to announce that .. since the beginning of their partnership project in 1997, | •« 40,000 guild members have raised an incredible £1 ' million. Women up and down the country have found novel ways to raise money to combat aids, assist asylum seekers, alleviate the plight of the homeless, as well as working with young women and rebuilding communities.  Commenting on this amazing fundraising effort, Mrs. Macdonald said: "If s thanks to every single penny donated by people up and down the country that we have been able to make a difference in so many areas of need."

MATES is an acronym for motivating and training educational support. This is a project run by North Ayrshire Council Community Education Service, for young people aged 16-25 years in the Garnock Valley.

The protect aims to help participants compile CVs and w; *

covering letters, find the college place of their choice, how to perform well at an interview, search for jobs effectively and develop independent living skills. MATES is held in Walker Halt, Kilbimie, Monday-Thursday from 11am-3pm for 16-25 year old and from 7.00 pm - 9.30 pm for age 14+. MATES will also be providing a drop in service at Dairy Public Halt and Beith Community Centre every Friday between 12 noon and 3.00 pm. For further information about this innovative personal development course for young adults tel. 01505-683652.

The first anniversary service in connection with the opening of the EU Chapel in Beith (now the Scottish United Reform Church in Bellman's Close) will take place on Sabbath first.

The services (forenoon, afternoon and evening) will be conducted by the Rev E Drummond. Bellshill. Special collections will be taken at each diet of worship in aid of heating the chapel. It is hoped that the collection will be liberal, as the object contemplated is worthy of consideration by all those who would worship God.

A soiree will also be held in connection with the above services on the evening of Monday, first 27th when the following ministers are expected to address the meeting. Rev Robert Hood, Glasgow subject: Jacob's vision of the ladder; Rev James McDowal, Saltcoats subject True Zeal or True happiness; Rev Robert Paterson, Dreghom subject: We Glory in the Cross.

Fruit and refreshments win be served at suitable intervals during the evening. Tickets 6d each, reserved seats one shilling. Tickets to be had from Messrs Hugh Stevenson, grocer, Whang Street; Robert Mackie, grocer, Main Street; William Guy, merchant. New Street; and James Millar, printer, Main Street Parties purchasing tickets would aid the committee materially by doing so today.

Beith St John's No 157 mustered in the hall of the Saracen's Head Inn on the occasion of its 111 anniversary.

R W Craig presided in the East, and was supported by me Past Master Brother Cochrane, and Brother Love, treasurer. The RWM gave the usual routine of patriotic toasts and the evening was agreeably spent with song and sentiment.

There were deputations from Kilmamock, Kilwinning, Dairy, Dunlop and Kilbimie, the whole formed in procession and headed by their musical brethren, of the( Beith Instrumental Band, paraded through the streets of the town, with lighted torches, having a very impressive and at the same time solemn appearance.  They reassembled in Mr. Wilson's Hall for a short time then dispersed.