ARDOSSAN & SALTCOATS HERALD: BEITH LOCAL NOTES

DONALD L REID

(Tel. 01505-503801 e-mail: donaldleesreid@hotmail.com)

SUNDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2003

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SIXTY YEARS AGO: John and Sarah at the time of their marriage in Beith Manse on 5^th November 1943

(SP)

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SIXTY YEARS LATER: John and Sarah still happily together in their home in Beith on 2^nd November 2003

(SP)

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SAY IT WITH FLOWERS: Popular Beith florist, Janet Emmison retired recently and needless to say she received a farewell bouquet of flowers from well wishers.

(Photo: Donald L Reid – SP)

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NEW FOR OLD: Janet Emmison (left) retires and well known Beithite, Margaret Whiteman takes over the reins of McConnell’s Florist and Garnock Knitwear.

(Photo: Donald L Reid – SP)

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GOOD NEWS FOR BEITH: The revitalised Beith Cross is really beginning to take shape with discernable changes occurring almost every day. This photo was taken on 6 November 2003.

(Photo: Donald L Reid – SP)

NEWS ITEMS

John and Sarah Crowe of Beith’s Glebe Court celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary on 5 November. John (81) was born in Springside and when he was 6 months old his father emigrated to Vancouver Island, Canada to work as a miner. When he was seven years of age John’s family returned to Scotland on the SS Metagama and they came to live in Barrmill in 1929 to join his paternal grandparents. John attended Greenhills School where he became the Dux Medallist and then continued his education at Spiers School in Beith under the headmastership of Mr Mair. Leaving school aged 14 years he began work in offices of Kings and Company who operated numerous quarries in Barrmill area. He joined the RAF in 1942 and went to Manitoba, Alberta, Canada where he trained as a pilot. Returning to the UK he became an instructor on Tiger Moths, Anson, Miles Master and Oxfords and was based mainly in Northamptonshire where he trained the Free French and  Czeck airmen. On his first leave after training in Canada he married Sarah Harley of Kilbirnie. The marriage took place in Beith Manse by the legendary minister, Rev John Murray Woodburn. After demobilisation, John worked for Airwork Ltd and re-joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve and again began training pilots, mainly on Tiger Moths. He later returned to Quarry Management and took up a post with Kings and Company in the borders near Kelso. Later still he returned to Beith and took up a post as quarry manager with Dockra Lime and Brick works and was later appointed managing director, remaining with the company for 30 years. John and Sarah’s family of one daughter and one son, Myra and Ian left Beith many years ago. Myra lives in Canada with her husband and has son Paul and daughter Susan and grandchildren, Courtney and Nicole. John and Sarah’s son Ian lives in Connecticut, USA and was in banking in New York and is now retired. He has a son, Campbell. Although separated from their children, John and Sarah have crossed the Atlantic many times to visit their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Indeed their daughter Myra was recently in Beith visiting her parents and enjoyed making contact with friends of yesteryear. The happy couple were asked the secret of a happy marriage and both immediately responded: “Give and Take.” Mind you, in his inimitable style, John went on to say that Sarah gives and he takes! Everyone will join in wishing John and Sarah many more happy years together.

RETIRING FLORIST

‘Say it with flowers,’ is the distinctive logo on the window of Beith’s best known and most popular shops, McConnell’s the Florist and Garnock Knitwear in Main Street. Janet Emmison has been running these two long established businesses for the past 17 years with great success and providing a first class service to local folk. However, on 31 October Janet finally put down her last floral arrangements and headed off to enjoy a well-earned retirement. Janet is a popular lady in Beith and her shop was always friendly and welcoming. Many folk would simply drop in for a chat on their way along Main Street and they always found a warm welcome from the local florist. She took over the business in 1976 from the late Stuart Mitchell. In her retirement Janet plans to take life a little easier and enjoy the occasional holiday at home and abroad. Everyone will join in wishing Janet and her husband Vincent a long and well deserved retirement. Importantly, the business will continue to operate as McConnell’s Florist and Garnock Knitwear under the new owner, well known Beith businesswoman, Margaret Whiteman, better known to most folk as Margaret Jackson. The energetic managing director of Marbill Coaches, is best known for her enterpreneurship  almost 30 years ago beginning her coaching company with one old bus and building the business into what is now a nationally recognised and very distinctive award winning fleet of buses which can be seen all over the UK and abroad during the summer months. Locals may not be aware that Marbill is also Beith’s single largest employer operating in the town with over 100 staff based at their Mains Road headquarters. Everyone will join in wishing Margaret great success in this new venture.

TOWN AWARD

Beith and District Community Council are delighted to announce that the town of Beith has reached the final eleven in Scotland in the Calor Scottish Community of the Year Awards. There were five sections which could be entered and Beith is in the final eleven in three of them – Community Life, Young People and Older People. The winners of the awards will be announced at an Awards Luncheon to be held on Tuesday 25 November in the Hub, Castlehill, Edinburgh. The awards will be presented by the Minister for Communities, Margaret Curran MSP. Up to four members of Beith and District Community Council will travel through for this event. Irrespective of the final outcome it is a great accolade for the town and the range and variety of community work and activities which takes place in Beith to have reached the last eleven in three specific categories when pitted against other towns in Scotland.

BEITH CROSS

The famous Beith Cross is really beginning to look the part. The buildings have been literally transformed and the groundwork around the area in front of the cross is now taking shape. The project is likely to be finished in late December or early January. Everyone in the town is delighted with the Cross project and even those who felt that the buildings should simply have been demolished have been won over. Congratulations to everyone involved in transforming the historic centre of the town.

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

This one will keep the children happy! Gateside and Beith Primary schools  close for the holidays after classes on Wednesday 12 November and reopen at 9.00 am on Tuesday 18 November.

HEALTH

On Friday 21 November Beith Health Centre staff are taking part in an important training day away from the surgery. There will, however, be temporary staff at the Health Centre and there will be a limited amount of appointments on that day. Patients are asked to try to avoid looking for appointments or repeat prescriptions on 21 November. The cooperation of patients is greatly appreciated in helping to enable this important training day to take place. It is also stressed that any emergencies will be attended to as normal.

CITIZEN OF YEAR

Popular local butcher, Sandy Blackwood of Beith will receive his award as Beith Citizen of the Year at a cheese and wine evening to he held in Beith Community Centre on Friday 21 November at 7.30 pm for 8.00 pm start. Tickets are £4 and available from Blackwood Butcher, Main Street or from any Community Council member. Everyone will join in congratulating Sandy on receiving this well deserved local accolade.

CHRISTMAS FAYRE

The annual Christmas Craft Fayre in aid of the Ayrshire Hospice will take place at Bowfield Country Club, Howwood on Friday 21st November at 7.30pm. You will find lots of ideas for gifts, meals and drinks available and entry is free! Come along and support this very worthy cause. Last year the same event raised £1000. The organizers pass on their thanks to all who have already bought a Quiz which is still on sale in the library price £1 and they advise that as yet no correct replies have been received yet! All budding Bamber Gascoines are encouraged to buy a quiz sheet as there is every chance of winning if you get your answers right!

SCOUTS ENTERTAIN

Last week Beith Scouts entertained the residents of Spiers Nursing Home with extracts from their highly acclaimed Scout Gang Show 2003. The residents and staff were delighted and thoroughly enjoyed the show put on by the talented Scouts. Such was their success that they have been invited to make a return visit. Well done everyone at Beith Scouts.

YOUTH GROUP

Last Sunday the young folk at Beith High linked with Trinity Church Senior Youth Group enjoyed an evening at the cinema. They decided that Calendar Girls was the preferred choice and indeed everyone thought it was simply brilliant. Due to the school holidays there is no meeting of the senior youth group this Sunday evening. The group resumes at the High Kirk Hall from 7.00 pm until 8.30 pm on Sunday 23 November when they will take part in Duke of Edinburgh’s Award activities. Members are reminded that there is a forthcoming award presentation being organised by the North Ayrshire Award Association. This will be held on Friday, 20 February 2003 at Cunninghame House, Irvine. Anyone who has still to submit award record books must do so by Sunday 23 November if they wish to be involved in this presentation of awards.

MASONIC CLUB

On Friday, 14 November there will be line dancing at Beith Masonic Club. On Saturday 15^th November the ever popular band, Ecky, will be entertaining from 8.00 pm until late. There will be the usual bingo and raffles. On Friday 22 November will be a return visit by Remedy for this special supper dance. As well as the normal bingo and raffles, there will be a buffet. There is a cover charge of £4.50.

HAPPY SNAPPERS

Beith Camera Club held its second competition of the season at the Community
Centre last Thursday evening. The print section was won by Hugh Waterston with
one of his classic black-and-white prints. Ian Smith was second and Hugh and
Alastair Knox were joint third. In the colour-slide section, Annette Hepburn
took first place with a superb picture of a flock of Oystercatchers. Hugh
Waterston took the second and third places. The judge was David McKelvie of Greenock. The club meets each Thursday evening in Beith Community Centre. New members will be made most welcome.

ARTS GUILD

Beith Arts Guild next concert will be held on 23rd. November in Trinity Church at 2.30 pm. The performers are VOKALENSEMBLE a Russian choir of 10 members singing liturgical music and folk songs. £8, Concession. £5 students/schoolchildren £1.

SHOW

The 58^th Annual Show held by Beith and District Young Farmers will take place at the Magnum Theatre, Irvine on Thursday 27 – Friday 29^th November inclusive with the curtains up at 7.30 pm. This years show is entitled: School Daze in Vegas and is sure to be up to the usual high standard of previous years. The Young Farmers put in a tremendous amount of work into their annual shows and they really are superb entertainment. Beith and District Young Farmers Club was the first in Scotland to hold a Variety Show which took place on 6 November 1946. The show was a resounding success with an audience of 900. Since then the club have put on a show every year and have also went on to win many drama competitions. So, if you are free on 27, 28 or 29 November, get your ticket and head for the Magnum Theatre, Irvine, for a night to remember. Tickets are available from any member of the Young Farmers or by contacting David Young, Over Hessilhead Farm on 01505-502353

JOLLY BEGGARS

Members and friends of the Barrmill Jolly Beggars are reminded that tickets price £10 are now available for the annual St. Andrew’s Dinner which will be held on Friday 28 November in Beith Bowling Club. The principal speaker is Bill Hewitt of Greenock. If the event is anything like last year’s celebration it will indeed be a great night of entertainment. For tickets contact president Norman M Henderson on 502419 or secretary Donald L Reid on 503801 or any committee member. Last week Jolly Beggars Donald Reid and Iain Shaw delivered their lecture entitled: Robert W Service – Poet of the People, to an audience of forty at the Greenock Action in Retirement Group.

HAPPY CHAPPERS

The chapping champions of Beith were back in action last week. On Tuesday the dominoe champion was Mrs M Kennedy with Mrs A Smith second and Mrs E Robinson third. On Thursday Mrs M Kennedy was still in top spot with Mrs C Burns second and Mrs M Carey third. On Tuesday the whist was won my Miss Francis McCreadie with Mrs M Wilson second and Mrs M Montgomery third. On Thursday the whist winner was once again Miss Francis McCreadie with Mrs I Reid second and Mrs B Smith third.

WRI

The November meeting of Gateside Rural was held on 6 November in the Patrick Memorial Hall, Gateside. The speakers for the evening were Mary and Peter Corbay of Alticane Apothecary. They gave an amusing and informative slide show about the history of soap making throughout the ages. Their business is the making of soap and other toiletries using pure essential oils. A sales table was available for members to buy their products and was well supported. The Pennies for Friendship Rosebowl for a novelty bar of soap: 1^st Anne Crangle, 2^nd Joyce Walker and 3^rd Mabel Campbell. The Rosebowl for a humorous photograph: 1^st Fiona Boyd, 2^nd Betty Elliott and 3^rd Jean McIntyre. The Marion Fulton Quaich for an exhibit featuring three bloom received no entries.

RANGERS CLUB

The Christmas draw tickets are now on sale from any committee member of Beith Saracen Rangers Supporters Club. They are delighted to announce that they are hosting a Rangers Road Show on Friday, 20 February 2004. Speakers include Donald Findlay QC and Rangers legend, Wee Willie Henderson, one of the all-time great dribblers in the game. The ticket price is £19  which includes dinner. Bookings are now being taken and tickets can be reserved by contacting David Raeside on 01505-504892 and Jim Reid on 01505-504548. A £5 deposit secures your ticket for this event.

GREENHILLS RURAL

The next meeting of Greenhills Rural will be held on Wednesday, 19 November in Barrmill Community Centre. There will be a demonstration by Liz Brown on felt making. The competitions are the Reid trophy for an item made of felt and the Barrmill Salver will go to the best jar of lemon curd.

THANK YOU

Nancy Brown of Barrmill passes on her thanks to family and friends for good wishes and gifts received on her recent 60^th birthday.

BEITH JUNIORS

Tommy McAdam, web master of Beith Juniors Web site at http://www.eteamz.com/beithjuniorsfc/. He is currently looking for fans to fill out or answer a survey for a Fan of the Month section on the site  which he has decided to call "Legends In Their Own Lunchtimes."  So, if you know of Beith fans on the internet who would be interested in visiting the web site and contributing information it would be most appreciated. After all the club is about the fans every bit as much as the players. They could contact the web master at Tommy@beithjuniorsfc.com

OES

The Order of the Eastern Star are holding a bingo evening in Beith Masonic Hall at 7.30 pm on Tuesday, 18 November. Entry at the door is 50p and all welcome.

BEITH TRINITY CHURCH PLAYGROUP

Beith Trinity Church Playgroup are now taking registrations now for session 2003-2004. The Playgroup is staffed and managed by qualified and highly experienced and very friendly personnel and works in partnership with North Ayrshire Council and offers funded places for 3 – 5 year olds. Places are also available for children from 2 years on a pay-as-you-go basis. Recent fund raising and lottery awards means that the group will benefit from over £3,000 worth of new equipment which will greatly enhance the presentation of learning experiences within the play setting. For more information why not drop into Trinity Church Hall on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday between 9.15 am and 12 noon and have a chat with play leaders Lesley, Sharon and Jane on 0787-0125677 or call the chairperson, Lyn Brown on 01505-506135.

PLAYGROUP

Beith Community Centre playgroup provide excellent child care and education provision and they are currently taking registrations for the new session. The playgroup is open on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday each week from 9.30 am until 11.45 am. There is a full complement of trained staff including a fully qualified nursery nurse with 15 years experience and a capable nursery assistant with 5 years experience. Immediate funded places are available for children in North Ayrshire aged 3 years and limited places are available for children aged 2 ½  years. The emphasis of the playgroup is always on fun and enjoyment whilst learning in a happy and secure environment. Anyone interested in finding out more about the playgroup is invited to contact Helen on 506403.

DOG CHARITY

Anne McGonigle of Anne’s Fruit Shop, Main Street, has been actively raising funds for the Cat and Dog Home at Cardonald for several years. She advises that she is not currently collecting cans at the moment, but passes on her thanks to all those clubs, groups, organisations and individuals who have helped over the past year. She is delighted to announce that she has so far been able to donate £400 to this animal charity. She will advise via this column when she will again begin collecting cans.

NORTH AYSHIRE BAND

North Ayrshire Band  will be taking part in a joint concert with Kilbirnie Salvation Army Band in the Salvation Army Hall, Kilbirnie, on Tuesday, 25 November. This concert is interestingly different as both bands will feature the music of Eric Ball, one of the all-time great brass band composers. The centenary of his birth is being celebrated by brass bands all over the world during 2003 and this concert marks the contribution from two local bands in the Garnock Valley. Followers of the band are asked to note that the annual concert of North Ayrshire Band will be held in St Margaret’s Church, Dalry, on Friday 5 December at 7.30 pm. Last Friday evening the band held a ceilidh in Beith Community Centre with dancing to the Garry Blair Band. This turned out to be an excellent night  which was much enjoyed by all those present. The band continues to meet for rehearsals each Tuesday evening in the Social Wing of Garnock Academy from 7.30 pm until 9.30 pm. Anyone wishing to come along and hear the band will be made most welcome.

LIBRARY

The librarians at Beith library have been delighted at the support and interest shown by young Beith bookworms during national storytelling day  which was held on 30 October. They advise that many of the town’s playgroups and nurseries visited the library and there were over 70 children who enjoyed the various reading events held in Beith. All the youngsters who took part can now see their photographs displayed in the library and those who have not yet become members are invited to do so on their next visit.

FOOTBALL

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.

FACE OF NORTH AYRSHIRE

Are you the face of North Ayrshire young Scot? If you are aged between 12 and 25 years you could be! As the face of young Scot in North Ayrshire you will become the face immediately associated with this corner of Ayrshire. You will appear on all the publicity material and be the person people think of when they speak of North Ayrshire. Application forms are available in the library.

CRAFT FAYRE

A craft fayre will be held at Castle Semple Centre, Lochwinnoch on Sunday 23 November from 11.00 am – 3.00 pm. There will be a variety of stalls to suit all tastes with many of them featuring Christmas gifts.

QUIZ

Beith High Church have  fund raising quiz sheets on sale and copies are available at Beith Library for £1.

REMBRANCE SERVICE

Last Sunday the annual Remembrance Service was held at the War Memorial in Beith in fine weather conditions. Prior to this a service was led by Rev Fiona Ross in Trinity Church involving uniformed organisations of the town. Thereafter they all paraded to the War Memorial at Janefield Square led by pipers, Karen McClune and Neil McTaggart, for the official service of remembrance. This service was jointly led by Rev Fiona Ross, Father John Kinsler and Pastor Bill Shirlaw. Wreaths were laid on behalf of a variety of groups and organisations and the service finished with the sounding of the Last Post played by BB Officer, Robert Jamieson. Following the service the uniformed organisations paraded back to Trinity Church.

BBs

There was a good turn out of all sections at 1^st Beith BBs on Friday night, especially the
Anchor Boys , where numbers are continuing to increase.  The Junior Section are
progressing well with their badge work, and indulging in enthusiastic games of
football, and not quite so enthusiastic drill sessions. Meanwhile, the company section
are also making good progress in badge work.  All meetings tonight (Friday) week are at
the usual time.

ANGLING
The happy fishers at St Inan’s Angling Club are still in search of the elusive trout. Fishing is continuing, with the weather still being reasonable, but very few fish are cooperating, with only one recorded this week.  Work is continuing around the dam to open up the fishing, and will continue throughout the winter, weather permitting. Negotiations with Scottish Water are continuing, and are hopefully nearing a conclusion.  For this reason, it has been suggested that the AGM be held over to January, and members will be informed of the date as early as possible to ensure a better turn out than last year.

MENS FELLOWSHIP
John McGibbon welcomed a good turn out of members at Trinity Mens Fellowship for a games night last Monday. The bowling was very competitive, and after two hard fought rounds the final was contested between Harry Mc Master and George Colligan, who took on Robert Jamieson and Willie Lawson.  The score could not have been closer, with Robert and Willie the eventual winners by one shot.  Joint winners of the darts were
John Darroch and Robert Jamieson.  Next weeks meeting will be a games night with
a 7pm start.

YOUNG FARMERS

Beith & District Young Farmers’ Club are holding a club meeting on Monday 17^th November in the Patrick Memorial Hall, Gateside, at the usual time of 7.30pm. This will take the form of a speechmaking and debates competition. If any members are interested in public speaking please have a go, it’s very worthwhile. Next in the club’s busy schedule is the Coffee Morning on Saturday 22^nd November in Beith Community Centre, starting at 9am, everyone is welcome. Don’t forget the concert this year, it’s fast approaching so make sure you get your tickets in plenty of time. Beith YFC presents "School Daze in Vegas" in the Magnum Theatre, Irvine from Thursday 27^th to Saturday 29^th November 2003 at 7.30pm. Ticket prices are Thursday - £4 (concession £3), Friday - £4.50 and Saturday - £5. No unpaid tickets will be left at the door. Tickets are now available by sending a S.A.E with correct remittance to David Young, Over Hessilhead Farm, Beith, Tel: 01505 502353. For further information or transport to any of the events please contact any committee member, phone Julie on 01294 832262, Gareth on 01294 832249 or email beithyfc@hotmail.com.

GOLF CLUB

The winter league competition is now underway at Beith Golf Course. The first competition of the season was played on Saturday 8 November in reasonably good weather conditions. 1st Robert Marshall Gross 36 nett 33; 2nd John Laird

Gross 37 nett 33; 3rd John Woods Gross 38 nett 33; 4th Andrew Daly

Gross 39 nett 34.  The scratch winner was Robert Marshall.

DASHER VIDEO

John and Noreen Steele are well known in the Garnock Valley because of the many talks they have given on the Tragedy of HMS Dasher. The converted aircraft carrier sunk in the Firth of Clyde between Ardrossan and Arran on 27 March 1943 with the loss of 379 lives. The enormity of the tragedy was shrouded in war time secrecy and it was only in recent years that many of the relatives got to know what actually happened to members of their family who were on Dasher. Following on the success of their best selling book on the Dasher tragedy, a video appropriately entitled The Tragedy of HMS Dasher has recently been published. The video has a running time of 54 minutes and is narrated by Sean Barrett. The video has been produced as a memorial to all those affected by the tragedy and the finale of the video is a roll call of all those who went down with the ship accompanied by a tribute song written and sung by Dusty Millar of Saltcoats. The video, the Tragedy of HMS Dasher costs £16-95 and is available from: PR Productions, 13 Langley Avenue, Surbiton, Surrey, KT6 6QN Tel. 0210 8399 5709

TINY TOTZ

Tiny Totz playgroup are holding a fund raising Quiz night and disco in the Eglinton Inn on Saturday 22 November from 8.00 pm till late. The quiz and disco will be hosted by James Blackwood. Tickets are £4 and available from any Tiny Totz parent or simply come along on the night and support this fund raising event.

MILLIONAIRE

Who wants to be a millionaire! Some £25 million is out there waiting to be claimed from a variety of charities and funding organisations! Well your group or organisation could learn about how to access this money by attending a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire extravaganza event to be held in the Civic Centre, Ardrossan on Wednesday, 26 November from 6.30 pm until 9.00 pm. This event is aimed at a variety of voluntary groups who would benefit from accessing funds to allow them to develop programmes, recruit and train volunteers or obtain much needed equipment. You can reserve your place by phoning North Ayrshire Council of Voluntary Services on 01294-47137 or e-mail: cvsna@btconnect.com. Places are limited so early booking is recommended.

CAR BOOT

A car boot sale is being held in the Walker Hall, Kilbirnie on Saturday 22 November from 11.00 am until 3.00 pm. Tables cost £5 and setting up will take place between 10.00 am and 11.00 am. Tea and coffees will be available. All proceeds will benefit Kilbirnie Youth Project.

BIRTHDAY BOY

Maurice Hughes, of Beith’s Morrishill Drive is a past president of Barrmill Jolly Beggars Burns Club and a committee member of Beith Historical Society. Both organisations send their kindest regards to Maurice as he celebrated his 80^th birthday last week. A retired Civil Servant, Maurice is a keen do-it-yourself enthusiast. His great claim to fame was that he built his own 33 foot ketch and still sails it today. Happy birthday, Maurice.

QUIZ

The monthly quiz at RNAD Police Club will be held on Thursday 20 November beginning at 8.00 pm. The current trophy holders from last month are that “Too Fat” Team and who will be defending their title. All are welcome to attend and the monies raised from the quiz will go towards the children’s party.