ARDOSSAN & SALTCOATS HERALD
BEITH LOCAL NOTES
DONALD L REID: (Tel. 01505-503801 e-mail: donaldleesreid@hotmail.com)
SUNDAY 28 DECEMBER 2003
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YOUNG ENTERPRISE: Some of the young folk of Garnock Academy display some of the wares which their company have been selling.
(Photo: Donald L Reid)
77
YOUNG AND OLD: The youngsters of Beith Primary Nursery recently made a visit to the older people at Spiers Nursing Home and as well as entertaining, brought along some festive gifts.
(SP)
FESTIVE FOLK
The judging took place last week of the festive displays in Beith and District. Only six nominations were received and the judge only looked at the nominated displays. The judging was carried out by a visitor to Beith – Mrs Anne Warrnier of Colchester, Essex. She was delighted with the range and variety of displays at all the homes nominated, but felt that the best three displays were at the homes of Mrs Anderson, Mains Road; Mrs Margaret Whiteman, Roebank Road and Mrs Angela Sloan of Lomond Crescent. All have received a nice bottle of wine and were delighted that their festive displays merited special mention. Roll on Christmas 2004!
BEITH HEALTH
Dr Peggie and partners at Beith Health Centre, Reform Street, intimate some changes of availability and routine over the festive period. Anyone requiring emergency treatment during the festive periods and when the surgery is closed should contact ADOC on 0845-7413003.
POLICE REPORT
Community Constables advise that over the past fortnight there have been a number of vandalisms in the town, most notably to the Post Office building and funeral director in Eglinton Street. An 18year old male was apprehended and is the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal, Kilmarnock, regarding this. Other acts of vandalism are currently being investigated with a positive line of enquiry.
BURNS SUPPER
Barrmill Jolly Beggars Burns Club are holding their diamond jubilee Burns Supper on Friday January 23 in Beith Masonic Hall at 7.00 pm prompt. This is the 60th annual celebration held by the club which was founded in the village of Barrmill in 1944. The principal speaker is Barrmillian, Alistair Anderson, the son of Edward Anderson who was the club’s founding secretary. The Toast to the Lassies will be proposed by Jim Thomson of Kilbirnie Rosebery Club. Tickets for this historic celebration cost £10 and are now available from secretary Donald Reid or President Norman Henderson or any committee member. A short committee meeting of the Jolly Beggars will be held in the Eglinton Inn on Monday January, 5 at 7.30 pm to finalise arrangements for the Burns Supper.
PLAYPARK GROUP
Beith Playpark Action Group have a display in Beith Library which gives an idea of the types of equipment which will eventually be installed in the public park. The board also shows the costs of various pieces of equipment and the group are keen to find groups, organisations and individuals who might consider sponsoring a piece of equipment. This group have worked extremely hard and any assistance which locals can give to enable them to complete the entire project as quickly as possible would be appreciated. Why not pop into the library and see if you can help them make progress? The Christmas raffle was drawn on December, 16 and raised £780. Thanks go to Asda, Irvine and Linwood; Co-op Beith and Dalry; Kwik Save, Irvine; Spar, Lochwinnoch and Tesco Extra, Irvine for donating groceries. The Playpark Action group are delighted to announce that the Music Department of Garnock Academy have offered to hold a concert to help with fundraising efforts. This will take the form of a cheese and wine evening to be held in Beith Community Centre on Wednesday January, 28 at 7.30 pm. Those taking part will include the Senior Band, Jazz Band and various choirs. This looks sure to be an enjoyable evening for adults and children. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £3 concession and can be obtained from any committee member of the Playpark Action Group.
SCHOOL
This is one that will make all the young folk exceedingly happy. Beith and Gateside Primaries and Garnock Academy resume after the festive holidays on Monday January, 6 at 9 am. School days are definitely the best days of your life, eh folks!
SPEAKERS GROUP
Beith Speakers and Writers Group have been working hard over the last year compiling a photographic record of Beith of yesterday and today. Beginning on Tuesday January, 6 they will mount a display of some of the photographs in Beith Library. Space for the display is limited, but it is hoped that it can be updated each week. For example, they have a record of over 250 photographs of Beith Cross from the outset of the restoration work to its completion. Locals are encouraged to drop in to the library during normal opening hours to view the display.
KARATE
Garnock Valley Karate Club meets in the old Harriers Hut each Monday and Wednesday from 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm. The club has qualified instructors and takes karate students from aged 6 years upwards and they are given instruction and progress through the various karate gradings. For further information contact Sandy on 07952517056 or call in during the above times to the Harriers Hut.
BBs
All sections of 1st Beith BB will resume normal activities on Friday
January, 9 at the usual times.
FELLOWSHIP
Members of Beith Trinity Church Mens Fellowship are reminded that the first
meeting of the new year will be on Monday January, 5 when the speaker will be
Rev Fiona Ross.
RANGERS CLUB
Beith Saracen Rangers Supporters Club are running a bus to Parkhead on Saturday, January, 3 for the crucial game against Celtic. The bus leaves Kilbirnie at 10.45 am and Beith at 11.00 am. Names to bus stewards ASAP to guarantee a seat. Tickets for the Rangers Road show Friday, 20 February 2004 have been sold out and a reserve list is now open. You can add your name to this list by contacting David Raeside on 01505-504892 and Jim Reid on 01505-504548. Those who have booked tickets are reminded that the £5 deposit must be paid by January, 3 or the tickets will be re-allocated. The annual games day will take place on Sunday January, 4 and for further details contact David Raeside or Jim Reid.
JANEFIELD CLUB
Janefield MAP club meet in Beith Community Centre from 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm each Thursday. The club aims to attract people who have mental and physical disabilities who are on the lookout for something interesting and positive to do in an environment which is supportive and welcoming. For further information about the club contact Karen Provan on 01505-503314 or Anna Gibson on 01505-503685 or drop in on a Thursday evening.
HAPPY CHAPPERS
Beith’s world famous domino and whist players will resume their happy chapping on Tuesday January, 6 at 1.30 pm. Anyone wishing to come along and join will be given a very warm welcome.
BOWLING
Beith Bowling Club Members are advised that they can now pay their Annual Subscriptions by instalments on the last Friday in January, February and March, 2004 at the Club, when the Treasurer Brian Gemmell will be in attendance for this purpose. The balance of subscriptions have to be paid on or before opening day. For further information members can contact the treasurer on 01505-502803.
JUDO
M-A-S Judo Club meet in the old Harriers Hut, Gateside Crossroads, Beith, each Tuesday from 6.30 pm – 9.00 pm. The premises have recently been fully refurbished and brought up to a good standard. The club currently has fifteen members and new members will be made very welcome. Simply attend at the club or contact the club coach, Steven Smith on 07944-658023 for further information.
COURSES
North Ayrshire Council Educational Services are holding a variety of interesting courses in all three Valley towns beginning early in January. The courses include computing, information technology, word processing, cooking, confidence building, personal development, first aid, community health issues and food hygiene. The venues for these courses are St Bridget’s Primary School, Kilbirnie; Longbar Community Centre; Dalry Community Centre and Beith Community Centre. The courses begin on the week commencing 12 January 2004. There are two courses being held in Beith Commuity Centre. The first is Community Health Issues which commences on Tuesday 13 January from 1.00 pm – 3.00 pmm and Food Hygiene which begins on Thursday, 15 January from 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm. All classes are free of charge and crèche childcare facilities will be provided. Details of all classes being held in the Garnock Valley are available on flyers obtainable in the local libraries or for fuller details please contact Agnes Reid, Community Learning and Development Office, 19 Brahead, Dalry Tel: 01294-833173 or visit the North Ayrshire web site at: www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk.
MAGAZINE
The Kilbirnie Youth Project is open to all young people from age 12 – 25 years living in the Garnock Valley. The group is actively seeking young people from Beith and district to make greater use of this facility. The youth project is situated in the basement of the Walker Hall, Main Street, Kilbirnie. Facilities include a café/bar with healthy foods and non-alcoholic drinks as well as a pool table, air hockey and a variety of activities for young people. The facility is staffed by North Ayrshire Council youth workers who will welcome all comers, especially new members. The project is open five days per week, except Friday and Saturday, during school term time and offers a number of services from advice and activities to providing a place to meet and chat with friends. The Garnock Valley Youth Forum are looking for young people aged 12 – 18 years to take part in the new Youth Voice Magazine. Anyone who wants to get involved in producing this magazine for young folk by young folk is asked to drop into Youthzone which is held in the Walker Hall, Kilbirnie on Monday nights from 7.00 – 9.00 pm. For further information about the range and variety of facilities available to young people in the Garnock Valley based at the Walker Hall, Kilbirnie contact Educational Services on 01294 833759 or better still why not drop in and speak to the youth workers and meet some of those who currently use and enjoy the facilities on offer.
GARNOCK SHARKS
Garnock Sharks Swimming Club resume activities at Garnock Pool on Tuesday January, 6 at the usual times. New members will be warmly welcomed.
SHOTAKAN
A new Shotaken Karate club will be opening up at the exciting new venture at Radio City, Kilbirnie on Thursday, 15 January 2004. The classes will run every Thursday from 7.00 – 900 pm in the games hall. The instructor is Graham Guffie who is a third Dan with over 15 years experience. Adults and children over 7 years at all levels will be made most welcome. For further details contact 01505-684181.
POEM
Readers will recall that one of Beith’s best known citizens, Joyce A Walker, judged the best dressed window competition during the earlier part of December. Not only did she enjoy judging the windows, she also wrote a few short verses relating the winning selection. A copy of this poem has been lodged in Beith library where it can be accessed by interested parties.
FOOTBALL
Beith’s budding footballers are advised that North Ayrshire Leisure are holding a football training sessions at Meadowside every Friday evening from 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm. This is aimed at youngsters aged 12 – 15 years (secondary 1 – 3 pupils). Admission to the scheme is free and anyone wishing to improve their footballing skills will find this course very beneficial. For further information simply attend at Meadowside Pavilion at the times shown or contact Craig Hamilton, North Ayrshire Leisure on 01294-317456 for further information.
RSPB LOCHWINNOCH
Television presenter and author, Vanessa Collingridge will be talking about her expedition to the Antarctic at Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature Reserve on Wednesday January, 7 from 7 30 –9.00pm. The talk entitled 'Antarctic Exploration' will be full of stunning images of scenery and wildlife and we will hear about the work that was carried out to research climate change. It is in aid of the charity 'Hope for Children'. The cost is: £2 for adult RSPB members and 50p for Wildlife Explorer members/ £3 for adults and £1.50 for children non-members (everyone welcome!). Advance booking essential, please telephone (01505) 842663 or email lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk. This is the first of the monthly winter talks in 2003 at the reserve. If you wish to be kept up to date with the program of events at Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature reserve via a monthly email then drop us an email to the above address. The new 'What's on 2003' leaflet, detailing the full program of events, will be available from the reserve in January.
THANKS
Beith local notes provide an important primary source of information for those who follow in our footsteps, so make sure that the activities of your group or organisation are included in the Herald’s Beith column. You can contact your correspondent on 01505-503801 or e-mail: donaldleesreid@hotmail.com.