ARDROSSAN & SALTCOATS HERALD
BEITH LOCAL NOTES
DONALD L REID
(Tel. 01505-503801 e-mail: donaldleesreid@hotmail.com)
SUNDAY 5 OCTOBER 2003
041
LUCKY LORNA: Lorna Lawson (left), manageress of Billy’s of Beith presents Lorna Shepherd with a cheque for £50 when her ticket was first out of the hat in the 50th anniversary celebrations at Billy’s of Beith. See Beith local notes.
NEWS ITEMS
GATESIDE WRI
Gateside WRI met in the Patrick Memorial Hall on 2 October at 7.30 pm and there was a good turnout of members and visitors. The speaker was Maggie Magee, fundraising organizer for the Hansel Foundation. The Foudation was established in 1963 and the speaker gave a very amusing and highly informative talk about the work carried out at Hansel Village, Symington from its conception up to the present. There was a sales table with knitwear made by Hansel residents as well as other Christmas gifts for sale and £300 was raised from the sale of goods which will benefit Hansel village. The Rosebowl competition for the evening was for a tub of fruit salad. The winner was Mabel Campbell, second was Jacqueline Bell and third was Isobel Managhan. The next meeting will be hled on 6 November when the speaker will be Mary and Pete Corbey who will take as their subject, A Fragrant Christmas.
VISITOR
Myra Sturt (57), better known to locals as Myra Crowe, daughter of John and Cissie Crowe, Glebe Court, Beith, is currently visiting the town. Myra has lived in Canada for the past 30 years and is based in Edmonton, Alberta. Her own family, a son and daughter, and their children live near Calgary. Myra is enjoying catching up with many old friends during her current visit to Beith.
MENS FELLOWSHIP
Trinity Mens Fellowship met last Monday evening when Community Constables Sandy
Brown and Jim Dougall gave an interesting talk on home security. The group are
keen to welcome new members who will be made most welcome. The Mens Fellowship
meet in Trinity church hall on Monday evenings from October until the end of
March and alternate a variety of speakers with games nights, where carpet bowls
and darts are played. The subscription for the year is £2.00, which must be the
bargain of the year.
1st BEITH BBs
1st Beith BBs Junior Section numbers were very low this week due to a
school trip to Arran, but the boys who were there spent the evening in drill,
badge work and a
session on the trampoline, followed by tuck. The Company Section were also
involved in badgework, while the Anchor Boys had a story telling session,
followed by drawing and football and tuck. An advance notice for parents, there
will be no meetings on Friday 17th October due to school holidays.
ST. INANS ANGLING CLUB
Beith St Inan’s Angling Club have brought great honour to themselves and the
town. Everyone will join in heartily congratulating the St Inan’s angling team
of Robert Aitken, Tom Brown and Jim Andrew who last Friday won the SANA Scottish
Club Championship fished on Lake Of Menteith.
It is hoped to have more details on their victory at a later date. Fishing
in Kirkleegreen reservoir has been good again this week, with a number of fish
recorded,
and several more returned.Work is still proceeding on the outside of the hut,
and when the weather takes a turn for the worse there is still work to be done
inside.
ORDER OF FREE GARDENERS
Archie Chalmers of Stewarton is seeking information for ongoing research he is carrying out about various Orders of Free Garders including Thistle Lodge in Kilwinning, Olive Lodge in Dalry, Rose of Garnock in Kilbirnie and Robert Burns Lodge in Beith. These were types of Friendly Societies which existed to help members in time of illness and unemployment. Any information can be passed to the Beith correspondent. A special word of thanks to one anonymous Beithite for his invaluable assistance which has proved very helpful to Mr Chalmers in his ongoing research.
BEITH ARTS
Beith Arts continue with the winter programme of concerts. The next meet on Sunday 19 October at 2.30 pm in Beith Community Centre when the visitors will be the Edinburgh Jazz Quintet. They will feature the music of Jerome Kern, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin in a wide range of music to suit all tastes. Tickets are available from the usual sources price £8 and £5 concession or simply pay at the door.
BILLY’S OF BEITH
Billy and Moira Haining, well known for their work on behalf of Ayrshire Cancer Support Group, also have the distinction of reaching a special milestone this year in that their popular shop Billy’s of Beith has now been operating for 50 years. The present shop is based in Wilson Street. As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, customers have been given a raffle ticket since the start of the year and last week the draw was made with a prize of £50 going to one lucky customer. This was won by Beithite, Lorna Shepherd who works as a hairdresser in Deb ‘N’ Hair. Interestingly, one of the first customers in Billy’s of Beith when it opened in1953 was Netta Walker of Kilbirnie and Netta is still a regular customer fifty years later. Everyone will join in congratulating Billy and Moira on reaching this special anniversary. Lorna Lawson, who now manages the shop and is the daughter of Billy and Moira, last week presented a delighted Lorna Shepherd with her prize.
RSPB
Diary date! The next talk at RSPB Lochwinnoch is on Wednesday 5 November: Sharing your home with wildlife (7.30 – 9.00pm). Hear about all the creepy crawlies and wildlife that you share your home with, often without realising! This is an illustrated talk by Liz Parsons, of Starling Learning who provide the educational program at Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature Reserve.
OLD FOLKS WELFARE
Calling all Beith and distrct senior citizens! Beith Old People’s Welfare Committeee are hosting a Christmas cabaret supper evening just for you. You are cordially invited to come along and have the time of your life at what is billed as The Millenium Show in Beith Community Centre on Friday, 28 November from 6.00 pm until 10.00 pm. This looks likely to be a lively evening of entertainment and fun. Anyone wishing to bring along their own bottle for refreshement is welcome to do so. Buses to and from the community centre will be available at the usual pickup points. Tickets priced £1 will be on sale on Thursday 6 November, Tuesday 11 November and Thursday 13 November from 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm. Older citizens are asked to ensure that they pick up their tickets during the above times as no tickets will be sold after 13 November.
YOUNG FAMERS
Beith & District Young Farmers’ Club held their Root and Industrial on Monday 29th September. The judges for the evening had a very hard task but the overall winners were as follows: Industrial section 3rd Margaret Smith 2nd Anne Reid 1st Julie Scott. Root section 3rd Alistair Wylie 2nd Scott Wilson 1st William Smith. Winner of the Reid Gallagher Trophy for the most points was Julie Scott and winner of the Root & Industrial Trophy for the runner up of the opposite sex was William Smith. The club went on to take entries to the Ayrshire Root and Industrial on Saturday 4th October where they picked up a fair few certificates. The next club event is a "Singled Out" competition and disco in The Burlington Function Rooms, Braefoot, Kilmarnock on Friday 17th October at 8pm. Everyone is welcome! For more information please contact Julie on 01294 832262, Gareth on 01294 832249 or email beithyfc@hotmail.com
JABS
Beith Health Centre are holding a series of flu’ clinics during the month of October. Those who are recommended to have the flu jab are those age 65 or over or those who will be 65 before March 2004. Anyone who is under 65 and suffers from any chronic heart, kidney or lung disease or are asthmatic, diabetic or undergoing chemotherapy treatment are also recommended to have the jab. For further information either drop in to the surgery or telephone 015505-502683.
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Beith and District Community Council are looking for nominations from you of individuals or a group who reside or are based in the Parish of Beith who are very special. The annual Citizen of the Year is an honour conferred on someone who works in a voluntary capacity in the community. It may be someone who excels in voluntary community work; an individual who goes the extra mile and shows special commitment above and beyond the call of duty. Perhaps you know someone, irrespective of age, whose work in a voluntary role is worthy of commendation. All you have to do is write a brief letter outlining the reasons for your nomination and send it to: William McRoberts, Beith and District Community Council,12 Montgomery Avenue, Beith. Entries must be received by 12 noon on Tuesday 29 October. Three simple rules apply. The nominees must reside in the Parish of Beith. Members of the Community Council are ineligible for nomination and will form the panel of judges whose decision will be final. The nominations should be given in writing and highlight the particular voluntary work of the individual. The presentation of the Citizen of the Year 2003 will take place in Beith Community Centre on Friday, 21 November and will take the form of a Cheese and Wine evening. Tickets are £4 and available from any member of the Community Council. Everyone is now under starters orders. Wrack your brains for a worthy nominee and get writing!
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Pupils from Primary 6 at Beith Primary School have now completed three separate weeks at Arran where they were based at Whiting Bay Youth Hostel. The youngsters, supervised by teachers and trained outdoor education staff, took part in a variety of outdoor activities including canoeing and walking and other challenging activities. By all accounts all the pupils and staff thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Some primary 6 pupils are also busy taking part in bowling coaching at Beith Bowling Club. One primary 6 class is also preparing to sit their cycling proficiency test soon. Beith and Gateside Primary schools close after school on Friday 10 October and re-open on Monday, 20 October at 9.00 am. It is to be hoped that the weather will be kind to allow pupils and staff an enjoyable holiday.
SAFETY FORUM
The most recent meeting for the Garnock Valley Community Safety Forum was held on Thursday 9th October at 7:30pm in Bridgend Community Centre, Kilbirnie.
HAPPY CHAPPERS
Beith happy chappers were in action again last week. On Tuesday the dominoes was won by Mrs J McCauslane with Mrs M Carey second and a tie for third place between Mrs M Kennedy and Mrs A Gibson. The whilst competition was was by Mrs M Wilson with Mrs J McCauslane second and Mrs M Montgomery third. On Thursday the domino champion was Mr E Robinson with Mrs M Kennedy second and Mrs E Jamieson third. The whist champion was Mrs J Reid with Mrs E McKechnie second and Miss F McCreadie third.
BOWLING
The Garnock Valley Ex-Presidents Bowling Association played their final game of the season at Largs Halkshill Bowling Club on Sunday 28th September, as guestS of the newly formed Largs & District Ex-Presidents. A most enjoyable day was had by all and an excellent tea provided by the Largs Association.The game was played in a friendly manner and in good weather conditions. After 15 ends Largs were the overall winners by 84 shots to 78. The sweep winners were, for Largs, the rink skipped by B. McMath and for Garnock Valley, J.Cheseny, A. Hobbs, P.McGrattan and J. Gibson. Beith Bowling Club closed its Green on another successful bowling season in bright autumn sunshine on Saturday 4th October when there was a good attendance by members and visitors.
This year president Charlie Fairns welcomed both Ladies & Gent Members to the first joint closing day sponsored as always by Tom (Pie) Irvine. The eventual winners after a tough fought 14 ends bowling in autumn sunshine were the all ladies rink, lead Ella Marr, second Nan Frew, third Jacque Shanaghey and skip Rebecca Wilson and they also won the sweep. The sponsors prizes were then presented to the well deserved winners by Margaret Irvine. After the buffet provided by the ladies, Vice President Brian Monk then went on to give a hearty vote of thanks to Jim McFadzean and Scott Glen for selling the raffle tickets and all those that donated prizes which raised £124 to be split between the ladies & gents sections, Greta Durkin and Meta Walker for serving the buffet, George Wilson our barman for the day, and most of all to the members who came along and supported the clubs closing day and made it such a success. V.P Brian would like to extent his thanks to all members of Beith Bowling Club for their support and is looking forward to seeing everyone next year. Tickets are now on sale for Beith Bowling Clubs presentation of prizes and the dance afterwards on Saturday 18th October. Price £8.50p and can be obtained from Brian Monk by calling 504370, and to be paid by Saturday 11th October.
CAN YOU HELP
The following verbatim message was received with a request for local assistance. Hello everyone my name is Larry Potter. I am an American citizen who used to live in Beith in 1977-78. I was only 15-16 at the time. My family lived there for a year and a half in a cottage on some farm that was 15 minute walking distance to the town. I remember walking across the fields, from the cottage, till I came to an intersection of the road that went around in a complete circle, and when I walked to my first right turn off the circle it lead into Beith. This road led right into the town of Beith and went through it. I remember meeting a lot of the children around my age then and becoming friends and playmates with them. I had a different culture and country upbringing than the local folks. Even though we spoke English it was still different. I remember just getting along with everyone, and still being accepted, and not being treated differently because of where I was from. My one best friend at that time was a guy named William Copeland who I believe now to be a police constable in that area. My email is RHinspects@aol.com if any one from that time can contact me about Beith which I fondly remember.
BEITH JUNIORS WEB SITE
A brand new web site has been recently
launched to highlight the activities of Beith Juniors. It was developed by
Tommy McAdam who used to be on the Beith Juniors committee and wanted to give
the town’s Junior team some presence on the world wide web. The strange thing is
that, although the site is regularly updated, Tommy actually lives and works in
Bermuda where he has been since March this year. Mind you, the sun doesn’t
always shine in Bermuda. Tommy recently had to sit out a hurricane! The site has
results, fixtures, news, statistics and history as well as other informative
articles
and photographs. The address of the site is
http://www.eteamz.com/beithjuniorsfc/
Tommy’s e-mail address should anyone wish to contact him is
tommy@beithjuniorsfc.com. Tommy is keen to receive photographs of Beith
junior teams of yesteryears and any interesting anecdotes which he may include
on the web page.
BARRMILL COMM ASS
Barrmill Community Association announce that the Art Class will resume on Monday, 6 October at 7.30 pm until 9.30 pm in the community centre. The tutor is Matt Hope. The cost is £2-50 per class. Everyone welcome.
COUNCILLOR SURGERY
Councillor Ian Richardson will be holding his next surgery in Barrmill Community Centre on Monday 13 October from 6.30 pm until 7.30 pm.
TODDLER GROUP
Plans are afoot to organise a baby and toddler group in the Patrick Memorial Hall, Gateside. The group would meet from 9.00 am until 11.00 am and there would be a variety of activities to keep the little ones busy as well as play facilities and snacks. The mothers would also enjoy adult conversation and share stories and experiences. Interested? Contact Gill on 01505-500010 or May on 01505-503193.
GARNOCK ACADEMY
The Young Enterprise Team at Garnock Academy are currently planning their special project for the year. They are about to begin a project that will see them publishing a book of photographs of Garnock Academy pupils and staff down through the years. They are keen to obtain photographs for inclusion in this book and anyone with photographs of any events at Garnock from the inception of the school until now are cordially invited to send their photographs to the Young Enterprise team via the school office. It would be helpful if details of those in the photograph and the event and approximate date could be recorded on the back of the photograph together with the name and address of the sender. So, come on ex Garnockians, dig deep into your own personal photographic archives to help the enterprising youngsters produce a fabulous book taking everyone on a happy journey down memory lane. The Garnock Academy Young Enterprise team have regularly appeared in the Scottish finals of this event. So, with your help, the planned reminiscence project could see them scaling new heights. A number of interesting photographs have been received, but many more are requested.
NEW BOOK
A new limited edition book entitled, Beith Bygones – A Pictorial Journey Down Memory Lane, by Donald L Reid is now on sale priced at £5.99 at several outlets in Beith including Burns, Newsagent, Eglinton Street; Arabica Bistro, Main Street; Brighstparks at the Strand; McConnell Florist and Chatterbox Café both in Main Street or direct from Donald L Reid, 7 Manuel Avenue, Beith, Tel 01505-503801 or E: donaldleesreid@hotmail.com. For those interested in the social history of the Garnock Valley, two other local history books are currently still available. The Beith Supplement – The Story of Beith’s Newspaper and In the Valley of Garnock – Beith, Dalry & Kilbirnie are packed full of photographs of yesterday and today together with information about the social history of this interesting corner of North Ayrshire. Copies are available from Donald L Reid as show above.
RANGERS SUPPORTERS
Saracen Rangers Supporters Club are running a bus for the league tie this Saturday. The bus will leave Dalry at 10.45 am, Kilbirnie at 11.00 am and Beith at 11.15 am. Anyone wishing to travel is asked to contact bus conveners John on 500264 or Andy on 503928 by Thursday 2 October at the latest.
GARNOCK VALLEY DISABILITY FORUM
The next meeting of the Garnock Valley Disability Forum will be on Wednesday, 29 October. However, the group holiday to Blackpool will take place from 10 – 12 October and members will be picked up from various locations in the Garnock Valley today (Friday). The annual dance will be held in Dalry Bowling Club on Friday, 17 October. Tickets are £5 and this includes a light supper. For further information about any aspect of the Disability Forum contact Jean on 01505-502521
BEITH TRINITY CHURCH PLAYGROUP
Beith Trinity Church Playgroup is now open and a warm welcome awaits new members. The Playgroup is staffed and managed by competent play leaders and works in partnership with North Ayrshire Council. We offer funded places for 3 – 5 year olds. Places are also available for children from 2 ½ year olds. The group is open in Trinity Church Hall on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday mornings between 9.15 am and 11.45 pm. For more information drop in and have a chat with play leaders Lesley and Sharon (0787-0125677).
COUNCILLORS REPORT
Councillor Jean Highgate advises that
new signs directing drivers to the car park behind
Dickson Court are shortly to be installed. The aim is that at least some drivers
will use this car park rather than cause chaos by parking illegally in Main
Street. The pavement in front of the old Coach House site will shortly be
patched in order to make a safe footpath.
The owner of the former garage in Eglinton Street has been asked to tidy up the
site. This has not been done so far but hopefully it will happen in the near
future. It would certainly improve the area. With regard to the closure of the
Housing Office, Councillor Highgate regrets to say that absolutely nothing will
be done to reverse the decision. One suggested alternative site, the Townhouse
would not be suitable as there is no disabled access to the upper floor and
would therefore not comply with Disability Discrimination Act. Councillor
Highgate has, however, written to the Head of Housing regarding the
background to the closure.
CHOIR
The Cunninghame Choir has begun rehearsals for their winter concert and practices have been well attended and good progress is being made. In December they will perform excerpts from Gilbert & Sullivan and various Christmas Carols. The date and place of this concert will shortly be announced. As ever, new members will be made most welcome. Contact Alan on 01505-504413 or come to rehearsals on Wednesday at 7.30 pm in Beith Community Centre.
TODDLERS
Trinity Church Toddler Group resumed on Thursday, 4 September from 9.30 am – 11.00 am in Trinity Church Hall. Vacancies are available for children from birth to three years and a warm and friendly welcome is assured. Drop in to the hall where you will be made welcome to have a chat with the play leaders and learn more about the Trinity toddler group.
HENRY FAULDS
Last week the Henry Faulds Society received a donation from Irvine Lasses Burns Club following an illustrated presentation by Barrmill Jolly Beggar members, Iain Shaw and Donald Reid entitled: Robert W Service – Poet of the People. Further information about Dr Henry Faulds can be found on: www.henryfaulds.org or www.arabicaonline.co.uk
MOTOR CYCLE REPORT
Last weekend was the Jock Taylor Memorial weekend of bike racing at Knockhill race circuit. This was also the last event for the Scottish championships 2003. Local speedsters, Ewan McDonald and John Raeside were both in action again. The whole weekend was disappointing for Ewan as he crashed in the first and second races and was unable to continue. Fortunately, he was unhurt. However, John had a very eventful weekend of racing. In the fist race he finished tenth and in the second race he started of the grid in 8th position and went on in very rainy conditions to his first podium finish and took a well deserved third place. Even although Ewan had a poor weekend he did enjoy it and both speedsters are to be congratulated on their performances throughout the season. A fund raising quiz afternoon followed by a karoke afternoon will be held in the Strand on Saturday 11 October. Entrance is £3 at the door and includes entrance to both events. All welcome and your support would be greatly appreciated by the Beith speedsters. Prizes are on offer for the quiz and there will be a raffle.
CANCER SUPPORT
Billy Haining of the Beith branch, Ayrshire Cancer Support Group, advises that he has received a cheque for £95 from Gateside School which was the proceeds from the retiring offering at their summer church service. This was erroneously recorded last week as Geilsland School.
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.
WRI
Greenhills WRI meet in Barrmill Community Centre on Wednesday 15 October aty 7.30 pm when the ladies will enjoy a quiz night hosted by Mr and Mrs John Johnstone of Beith. The ladies will enjoy Halloween fayre.
NORTH AYSHIRE BAND
North Ayrshire Band are once again busy with rehearsals in the community wing at Garnock Academy from 7.30 pm until 9.30 pm every Tuesday. They are on the lookout to recruit new members to the band as several key players have had to leave recently to take up degree courses at Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen Universities. Anyone who has previously played with the band will be made very welcome and anyone with experience of a brass instrument can also come along and enjoy a taster session. The band will be taking part in a joint concert with Kilbirnie Salvation Army Band in the Salvation Army Hall, Kilbirnie, on Tuesday, 25 October. 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. 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. The band will also be taking part in the Borders Brass Band Competition to be held in Selkirk on Saturday, 15 November. On the social side the band are holding a ceildh in Beith Community Centre on Friday, 31 October. There will be a first class ceildh band and a light supper with tickets costing £5 from any band member. So, a busy three month period lies ahead for the band. Hopefully they won’t run out of wind!
CAMERA CLUB
At the regular meeting of Beith Camera Club meeting in
the Community Centre last Thursday evening, club president Alastair Knox
continued his exploration of some of the
remarkable techniques now available to photographers through the medium of
digital imaging. Alastair showed some of the commercial instruction guides that
are avilable on CD-Rom to guide photographers through the intricacies of the new
software. One quite astounding tutorial demonstrated how the traditional slide
show can be transformed using a digital projector and appropriate software to
project a series of pictures. The transition from each picture to the next was
so seamless that it was almost impossible to detect where one picture ended and
the next began. In the second half of the meeting, Ronnie McCrorie put on an
audio-visual slide show and brought a
glimpse of the sound and colour of Disneyworld Paris based on a recent trip.
Beith Camera Club will warmly welcome new members and they meet on a Thursday
evening at 7.30 pm in Beith Community Centre.
MASONIC
Lodge Beith St Johns No 10 meet in the Masonic Hall on Thursday 16 October at 7.30 pm when there will be one candidate undertaking the second degree. There will also be a visitation by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire. A good attendance of brethren is requested.
RATS
Speculation mounts that a date will soon be announced with regards to the public enquiry into the proposal for a landfill site at Trearne Quarry, Gateside. Once the date and venue are definitely confirmed, the public will be advised. Watch this space.
LADIES BOWLING
The final ladies wappenschaw took place on the Beith green last Wednesday. After a close competition in good weather conditions the delighted winners were Marty Wilson (lead), Rose Rae (second) and Rebecca Wilson (skip). The prizes were donated by member, Lilly Clark.
MASONIC CLUB
This Saturday the entertainment at Beith Masonic Club is by popular group, Remedy with dancing from 8.00 pm till late and the usual raffle and bingo.
JOLLY BEGGARS
Barrmill Jolly Beggars begin their open nights for 2003/2004 session on Monday, 20 October when they meet in the Eglinton Inn at 7.30 pm. The speaker is Andy Gallacher of Paisley who takes as his theme, the American Indian Wars. This looks likely to be an interesting lecture as the speaker actually goes to USA and takes part in re-enactments of the Indian wars and he will be able to shed light on a subject which tends to be controversial. A good turnout of cronies and visitors is requested. Cronies are also asked to confirm their ticket requirements for the 59th annual St Andrew’s Dinner which is being held in Beith Bowling Club on Friday, 28 November when the speaker is Bill Hewitt, past president of Greenock Burns Club and a very gifted speaker who will deliver the toast to St Andrew and Scotland.
BEITH NOTES
Anyone with items for inclusion in the Beith column are reminded that the information should be with the correspondent as early as possible and by 10.00 pm each Sunday evening at the latest for inclusion in the Herald the following week. Any group or organisation who have planned events where they wish a photograph taken are also reminded that this should be arranged direct with the editorial department at the Herald. The Beith correspondent can, on occasions, oblige by taking a photograph at short notice, but in general requests should be made via the newspaper.
