BEITH LOCAL NOTES
DONALD L REID
(Tel. 01505-503801 e-mail: donaldleesreid@hotmail.com)
SUNDAY 27 APRIL 2003
PHOTOS AS JPEG ATTACHMENTS
034
ANYONE FOR COFFEE: A few of the workers and visitors to the spring fayre held at
Our Lady’s in the Chapel Hall last Saturday gather outside for a photograph. See
Beith local notes.
(photo: Donald L Reid – SP)
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HAPPY HATS: Some of the ladies of the famous Beith Happy Chapping
Club down their dominoes and cards to display some of the fine Easter bonnets
they made.
(SP)
BEITH HARRIERS
The Scottish Schools Athletics Championships were held at Kirkcaldy on Saturday
26th April. This is a huge event with 157 schools from all over Scotland taking
part and over 1500 competitors. Our representatives from Beith all did
exceptionally well. Hannah Boyd finished 17th in the Primary 6 girls’ race and
Eilidh Bruce was 21st in the Primary 7 girls’ race. Ian McNaughton gained 17th
place in the Primary 7 boys’ event while in Primary 6 Graham Evans finished
29th, Sam Harkness 37th and Lee Thomson 95th, which gave the P6 boys 14th place
overall. With about 150 competitors in the races, these are all great
achievements and congratulations are due to all the children, who have trained
very hard for this. Well done to all the dedicated speedy Beithites!
PRINT SIZE
This week several older and not so old locals were complaining that whilst they
enjoyed the variety of news in the Beith column they found it very difficult to
read because of the small size of the print. Your correspondent advised that he
would raise their concerns with the editor, which I now duly do.
Beith St Inans Angling Club
There was an unusual occurrence reported at Kirkleegreen Reservoir on Tuesday
night last. In fact it was so unusual that the other anglers were totally
gobsmacked and could only stare in disbelief. Would you believe that the club
president, well know Beithite Robert Jamieson caught not one, but two rainbow
trout, beating his previous record for the earliest trout caught in the season
by almost four months. It has also been confirmed that this is not one of those
spurious fishy tales and is totally true. Well done Robert! There has been a
reasonable number of fish caught this week, up two
pounds on last weeks bag, included among them four fine brown trout. Work is
continuing by volunteers to clear the right hand side of the dam, and work will
begin soon on painting the hut. All volunteers will be welcome on Wednesday
evenings. Members are reminded that the first competition of the season will be
fished on Saturday 10th March.
1st Beith BB
The only meeting held last week at 1st Beith BBs was the Junior Section, where
the numbers were low due to the school holidays. Those boys present took part
in badge work, football and a session on the trampoline. Junior and Company
section meetings will be held tonight (Friday) at the usual time, with the
Anchor Boys on holiday for a further week.
SPRING FAYRE
Our Lady’s Church held a Spring fayre last Saturday in the Chapel Hall from 10
am – 12 noon. There will be the usual variety of interesting stalls to suit
everyone and a good turnout of locals to support the event.
PRESIDENTS BOWLING
Garnock Valley Presidents Association held their opening day at Beith Bowling
Club on Sunday 27th April 2003. The Green was handed over by President of Beith
Bowling Club, Charlie Fairns, to the Garnock Valley President, Jack Russell. In
spite of slightly inclement weather, there was a good turnout of members which
was greatly appreciated. The prizes on the day were won by the rink skipped by
R.Ward, C.Thomson 3rd, B.McCulloch 2nd and lead was G.Young. A Thank you must go
out to Hughie Barclay's daughter, Shona, for the food which was most enjoyable.
Members are reminded that our annual fixture verses Paisley Ex Presidents will
take place at Garnock Valley Bowling Club on Sunday 4th May 2003. A
good attendance of members would be appreciated.
BIRTHDAY GIRL
Well known Beithite, Mrs Margaret Waterston of the town’s Woodburn Road
celebrated her 80th birthday on Tuesday. Locals will recall that Margaret used
to work in several newsagents in the town including that belonging to Michael
Gillies and Wallaces. Happy birthday, Margaret!
FUND RAISER
Mrs Evelyn McVey of Glebe Road was selling fancy goods at the recent fayre in
the Chapel Hall and your correspondent had a chat with her. It transpired that
Evelyn attends such fayres where she sells items to raise funds for Ayr Hospice,
Accord Hospice, St Vincents Hospice and CHAS. During the festive season Evelyn
went round various schools in Ayrshire and Renfrewshire selling her wares to
teachers in Renfrewshire and Ayrshire and she was able to donate £3,000 to her
favourite charities. Evelyn has various sources where she obtains he fancy goods
at very keen prices whilst others donate items to her because of her charitable
work. Well done, Evelyn.
LIBRARY INTRUDER
The local Beith librarians got a bit of a shock around 6.00 pm when they were
about to close on Thursday 17 April. A man, allegedly the worse of drink, had
concealed himself downstairs in the private area of the library. However, when
he was discovered the boys in blue were summoned and speedily arrived on the
scene and the intruder was given a free trip to Kilbirnie from whence he
apparently came. Needless to say, it was a frightening experience for the local
librarians.
BEITH FARMERS SHOW
Beith Farmers Show was held last Saturday in the Manse Field. This traditional
event has been running for over 100 years and has the full support of the local
agricultural community. Numbers attending the show were down due to the poor
weather with heavy showers appearing during the afternoon. However, those who
did attend enjoyed seeing the range and variety of exhibits and various animals
on display.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The final meeting of the 2002/2003 session of Beith Historical Society was held
last Thursday in the Eglinton Inn, when President J Allan Richardson welcomed the
speaker for the evening, Ian Quinn president of the Clyde
River Steamer Preservation Society, founded in 1932. He recounted the
history of the Waverley, the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer from 1947 to
the present day. He showed a variety of excellent slides cataloguing its
development & changes of livery from 1947 to the present. He then
concluded his talk with slides of the Waverley & Balmoral amidst the Scottish
Lochs accompanied by some foot-tapping music from Jimmy Shand. Interestingly
the slides included shots of the Waverley alongside the QE2, with the QE2
broadcasting Jimmy Shand music over its speakers. The meeting was followed by the
AGM, it was decided to keep the subscriptions @ £4.00 for the next session
starting September 25th 2003 and it was also decided to give a donation to the
Henry Faulds Society. The annual
outing of the society is on Saturday 31st May. The coach will leave Grahamfield
Place at 9.30 and then pick up at Strand and Trinity Church going first to the
Weavers Cottages in Dalmellington and then on to the Dunaskin Heritage Centre at
Waterside.
GARNOCK CHORAL
Garnock Choral Society held their 81st annual concert in the Walker Memorial
Hall, Kilbirnie, last Saturday under the baton of their conductor Rose Mary
Doolan and accompanist Anna M Adamson. The guest artistes were the Salon Trio on
violin, cello and piano and they enthralled the audience with a range of popular
music. The choir were in fine form and provided the audience with a feast of
music which was greatly appreciated by everyone.
HENRY FAULDS SOCIETY
The Beith based Henry Faulds Society continues to attract folk from home and
abroad in their efforts to raise funds to honour the father of fingerprint
science, with a commemorative cairn in the town where he was born, educated and
spent his formative years. Donations have been received and are gratefully
acknowledged this week from Alex Thomson, Managing Director, Thomson of Beith
and John Berry BEM FFS, formerly editor of Fingerprint Whorld. Interestingly
Colin Beavan’s book, Fingerprints, was last week published by Fourth Estate in
soft back at £7-95. This tells the story of Dr Henry Faulds of Beith and how he
was very much sidelined by those in authority and his key role as an early
fingerprint pioneer was never fully acknowledged. Further information about the
Henry Faulds Society and its objectives can be obtained from the secretary,
Donald L Reid, 7 Manuel Avenue, Beith or telephone 01505-503801 or you can visit
the official web site of the society on www.henryfaulds.org or our local site at
www.drhenryfaulds.arabicagroup.com.
GUILD OUTING
The women of the Church of Scotland Guild at Trinity Church had a jaunt to Largs
last Friday evening where they thoroughly enjoyed Largs Operatic Society
performing The King and I at the Barrfields Pavilion. The show was apparently
outstanding. Mind you, it is to be hoped that they will also be attending the
world-famous show being put on by Beith High Drama on 8/9 May at the High Kirk
Hall. This drama is tailor made for the women of the Guild.
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION – GARNOCK VALLEY BRANCH
Robert Boyd, chairman of Beith and District Community's Council and a keen member
of he Royal British Legion, Garnock Valley Branch, passes on his thanks and that
of fellow Legion members to the many local folk in Beith and district who have
kindly handed in items to the Thrift Shop in Main Street. Last Saturday Robert
sent off the send batch of parcels from Beith destined for Garnock Valley
soldiers serving in Iraq. The response has been so good that he has also asked
that items be distributed to other soldiers as well. The parcels contain
practical items which are helpful to the soldiers such as soap, shaving foam,
hand creams, shoes laces and food items such as pot noodles. A full list of
items which are requested by the soldiers is available from the Garnock Valley
collecting point at Beith Thrift Shop, Woodside Ironmongers in Dalry and Garnock
Valley Community Transport Office, Bridgend Community Centre, Kilbirnie.
BEITH GOLF CLUB
On Saturday, 26 May the JLK Classic-Storage Trophy competition was played over
the Beith Golf Course with 110 competitors taking part in this medal
competition. The competition was played in mixed weather, but everyone enjoyed
the golf to the full. In the first class competition the winner was Craig
Shanaghey, 76-7-69; 2nd Ashley Sharp, 77-7-70; 3rd Gordon McCrae 77-7-70.
In the second class section the winner was Richard Collins, 75-15-60; 2nd Wilf
Kerr, 80-16-64; 3rd Alex McGarvie, 78-12-66. In the third class section the
winner was William Igoe, 87-20-67, 2nd Jack Docherty 87-19-68 and 3rd was Jim
McMahon, 91-20-71. The scratch winner was Richard Collins and he was also the
overall winner. Congratulations to all competitors.
AWARD GROUP
Beith High Church linked with Trinity Church Senior Youth Group does not resume
until 7 pm on Sunday 10 May in the High Church Hall.
BEITH WEB SITES
Most folk now have access to computers and their attention is drawn to local web
sites which highlight historical information, news about clubs and
organisations, church news, community council news, What’s on guide and articles
about people and places in Beith and district. Both sites are very comprehensive
and easily navigated and are regularly updated. They also have an extensive
photographic record of Beith of yesterday and today and have musical
introductions in some sections. Both sites are regularly visited by local people
and those visiting from abroad with an interest in Beith. You can find much
interesting information about the town and district on www.arabicagroup.com and
www.beith.org.uk. So, if you are linked to the web pop into these sites to find out
more about Beith. Alan Watson, who runs the Arabica Internet Café, Main Street,
(above Riverhills) is now offering demonstrations on aspects of computing from
multi-media to internet access. He is also about to provide a facility for
businesses and shops to go online and in the last 6 months his site has received
over 5,000 visits.
CHORAL CONCERT
Cunninghame Choir are holding a choral concert in St Margaret's Church, Dalry on
Saturday 10 May at 7.30 pm. Works being performed are Schumann’s Requiem opus
148 and Haydn’s Harmonie Messe. Tickets are £6.00 and £4.00 and available from
any committee member or simply attend on the evening of the concert.
BEITH HIGH DRAMA
Beith High Drama presents the Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild
Dramatic Society MURDER MYSTERY IN Beith High Church Hall on Thursday – Friday,
8-9 May at 7.30 pm Tickets are available from any member of the drama group.
This looks to be a fascinating and very humorous play and one which is strongly
recommended. The famous thespians treading the boards in this production are all
seasoned performers of the highest calibre and are Evelyn Anderson, Willie
Fletcher, Pamela Sherriden, Janice Bates and Isabel Black. They have worked very
hard on this heart-stopping production and by all reports the standard of drama
is very good indeed. In fact this play has just about everything. Murder and
mystery. More blood shed than in the ‘St Valentine’s Massacre.’ Corpses aplenty.
Watch out for low flying wheelchairs, mad archaeologists and a touch of romance.
You will discover a sleuth with the cold brain of Hercule Poirot, the accent of
Inspector Cluzot and the name of O’Reilly. On set there will be vanishing
chessmen, exotic recipes, a fashion show, a beautiful French maid, some very
strange noises and acting like you have never quite seen it before. Not bad for
a mere £4. Tickets are available from any committee member or Tel 502913 or
502920. This show is a must for the women of local Guilds and Rurals. In fact
it’s a mystery how anyone could even contemplate missing this drama. Make sure
you get your ticket early to avoid making a drama out of a crisis if you miss
this play.
LETTER FROM CANADA
Last week your correspondent received a letter from ex Beithite, Hugh Ferguson,
who now lives in Toronto, Canada. John served in the Toronto Metropolitan Police
until his retrial about 20 years ago. He sent a copy of a poem, Remembering
Beith, which he wrote almost 22 years ago when he had a reunion in Toronto with
John Fulton, formerly of Bottoms Farm, Beith and now of North Bay, Ontario and
Dinah Brown or Sheddon, formerly of Mains Avenue who was visiting relatives in
Toronto. In the poem Hugh recalls some of the weel kent characters of Beith of
his youth including several teachers at Beith Academy, Miss Frame, Miss Mercer,
Miss Barr, Miss Blackwood, Willie Lonsdale (maths), Benny McMillan (woodwork),
Miss Weir (art), Miss Mary White (English) and Robert Kerr (history). All these
names will no doubt evoke happy memories for older readers as they wing their
way back to schooldays and their teachers and friends of yesteryear. Hugh
Ferguson also remembers his school pals and in those days almost everyone had an
unusual nickname. Hugh’s pals including Jim ‘Dazzler’ Russell, Billy ‘Piffer’
Smith, Jim ‘Peem’ Brown, Boyd ‘Bydie’ Jamieson, Jim and John Crawford known as
Big and Wee Pouter. He also recalls Nan Waterson as a school friend and her
mother owned the wee sweetie shop across from the picture house in Wilson
Street. In Hugh’s early days in Beith every young person had to be able to
perform a party piece at family events or social functions and he can still
remember some of the pieces performed by his peers. Sheila Garden recited the
Sair Finger, Robert McDougall sang ‘I’m going to sit right down and write myself
a letter’, Charlie Good sang, The Sunshine of Your Smile whilst Betty Darroch
and Mrs Piper sang a duet, The Crooked Bawbee. Everyone in Beith apparently had
their own particular party piece and no one would dare infringe on any one elses
speciality. Hugh’s poem, Remembering Beith, runs to twenty verses and copies of
it will be made available in Beith library and no doubt it will be of great
interest to those who recall those happy halcyon days of yore. Thanks for the
memories, Hugh.
CHRISTIAN AID WEEK
Christian Aid Week runs from 11 – 17 May. This year the usual coffee mornings
will be held during the week in the United Reform Church hall. On Wednesday 14
May the first coffee morning will be hosted by High Church Guild whilst on
Thursday 15 May it will be hosted by United Reform Church Guild and on Friday 16
May the Trinity Church Guild will be the organisers. On the morning of Tuesday
13 May there will be a “Fair-Trade Ready Steady Cook” event in the United Reform
Church Hall. This is a must for all aspiring cooks. The highlight of Christian
Aid Week is the special project which is held in the town centre on Friday 16
May, led by Angus Nimmo and Anne Smith, who seem to come up time and again with
special ideas which always attract folk to the town centre. Because of the
ongoing work at the Cross, the event will not be at its usual location, but we
are assured that something interesting will be ongoing in the town centre. On
Saturday 3 May local members of the Christian Action Group are walking across
the Erskine Bridge and they are keen to attract sponsors. Anyone wishing to
support this fund raising event is asked to contact Anne on 01505-502531. So,
why not jot down these diary dates and we trust that everyone in Beith will give
their usual great support to Christian Aid Week.
GARNOCK SCHOOL BOARD
The next meeting of Garnock Academy School Board takes place this Thursday 1 May
at 7.30 pm in the school library. Parents/guardians are welcome to attend
meetings as an observer. If there are any issues that you wish raised at this
and subsequent meetings contact or write to any member of the School Board. At
the last meeting Allan Wilson MSP came along to listen to the Boards concerns
regarding disruptive pupils and the measures available to deal with them.
RATS
RATS are hosting a Comedy Evening in the Beith Community Centre on Friday 9th
May. They have lined up three top artists, Alfie Joey, Ray Means and Miles Jupp,
stars of TV and radio. Tickets are £12.00 and includes a buffet supper. There
will be a bar and all proceeds will go to RATS fighting. Tickets are still
available from Liz at B & A Travel, Beith or from David Elstone on 07976 388294.
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 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 no 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 or call the chairperson, Lyn Brown on
01505-506135.
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Due to the school holidays Beith and District Community Council were unable to
hold their monthly meeting in the primary school. Members of the Community
Council would like to extend their thanks to Beith United Reform Church which
allowed them to use their premises as an alternative venue. Chaired by Robert
Boyd the meeting, held on Thursday 24th April, was well attended. The problem of
traffic congestion in the Main Street caused by parked cars was raised yet
again. As well as the dangers posed to pedestrians the potential difficulties
faced by fire engines or other emergency vehicles needing to access the area
were highlighted. It was reported that the petition suggesting that the
Townhouse should become a Community Museum had attracted 239 signatures. This
positive response to the consultation exercise will be reported to North
Ayrshire Council and they will be asked if they have any other plans for the
building once the Post Office moves to the Cross and if they would consider such
a proposal. Continuing the historic theme, mention was made of the well sited in
Eglinton Street at the rear of the Toll House. It appears that few residents are
aware of this historic site and the Community Council is keen to discover more
about its history and origins. Anyone with any knowledge should contact Robert
Boyd or any member of the Community Council.
BEITH TOWN CENTRE INITIATIVE
The next meeting of Beith Town Centre Initiative (BTCI) committee is on Monday
12 May at 6.00 pm in Beith Community Centre. Anyone who feels that they could
assist the work of the committee is cordially invited to attend. And you don’t
necessarily need to be a shop owner or run a business to help with the work of
the BTCI. For further information about any events being organised by the Beith
Town Centre Initiative (BTCI) please contact their secretary, Sandra Brown at
Brightsparks or telephone 01505-503625.
3RD BEITH GUIDES
The 3rd Beith Guides resume at 7.30 pm tonight (Friday) in the High Church Hall.
RANGERS SUPPORTERS
Beith Saracen Rangers Supporters Club are running a ‘bus to Dens Park for the
game against Dundee on this Sunday (4th May) The bus will leave Kilbirnie at
10.45 and Beith at 11.00 am. Members with tickets are asked to contact the bus
stewards as soon as possible.
BEITH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The annual outing of Beith Historical Society is going to Dunaskin Heritage
Centre near Dalmellington on Saturday 31 May. Those intending to make this trip
are asked to give their names to secretary, Sue Williams on 01505-503381 as soon
a possible.
BOOK SALE
Read all about it! Bookworms are getting themselves into a fine lather as they
wait for the great book sale to begin between 1 – 13 May in Kilbirnie library.
Attend during normal opening hours to enjoy some great book bargains or
telephone the library on 684218 to learn of the range of books available for
sale.
CALLING ALL ORGANISATIONS
Calling all organisations and groups in Beith and District. Stand to attention
and have your diary ready! The annual meeting of organisations in the town and
district will be held in Beith High Church Hall at 2.30 pm on Sunday 11 May.
This is an important meeting and all organisations who hold events such as
coffee mornings, concerts, dances, displays etc are invited to submit their
proposed dates for events and with the co-operation of other groups it is hoped
that there will be no clash of dates. So, have your proposed diary of events
with you and make sure you attend this important meeting which aims to ensure
that all organised events can be fully supported by the local public.
CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
There are seven Beith folk taking part in the Rotary organised Sponsored Walk at
Blair Estate, Dalry on Saturday 10 May and funds raised are being donated to the
Beith Branch of Ayrshire Cancer Support Group. Anyone wishing to sponsor the
walkers can do so at Billy’s of Beith where sponsor forms are available.
Ayrshire Cancer Support Group are also holding a sponsored cycle ride on Sunday
11 May meeting outside the Magnum Centre, Irvine. The event starts at 2.30 pm
and they will cycle off-road via tracks to Gailes and return to the Magnum.
Sponsor forms are available by telephone on 01563-538008 or uplift same from
Billy’s of Beith.
CHURCH SERVICE
Following the traditional outdoor Easter morning service which was held at 7.45
am on the edge of Lochlands Hill around 50 made their way back to Beith where
they enjoyed a hearty breakfast at Trinity Church. The volunteers at Beith
Trinity who worked so hard to provide the breakfast are delighted to announce
that they raised £150 from donations left by the happy Easter early-bird eaters.
This money has now been forwarded to CHAS.
HAPPY CHAPPERS (Photo of Easter Bonnets)
The ladies of the happy chapping dominoe and whist club at Beith Community
Centre were none too happy as your correspondent was remiss in uplifting the
results over the last couple of weeks. This was due to your intrepid
correspondent enjoying two short holiday breaks in Ireland and Skye, so my
apologies ladies. Normal service has now resumed. Last Tuesday the domino
champion was Mrs A Smith with Mrs E Jamieson second equal with Mrs C McAusland.
On Thursday would you believe that the result was exactly the same again! There
is no truth in the rumour that there were only three participants! On Tuesday
the whist was cancelled for some reason but on Thursday the card sharp champion
was Mrs May McLeish with Mrs J Smith second and Mrs B Smith third. The ladies
recently enjoyed a lunch and held an Easter bonnet competition with all of them
making very fine hats of all shapes, sizes and designs. Well done, ladies.
PLAYPARK ACTION GROUP
The Playpark Action Group will shortly be launching a public appeal for
sponsorship of individual items of equipment for the public park as they
continue their hard work towards achieving sufficient funding to deliver a
state-of-the-art play area in the public park for the children and young people
of Beith and district. Anyone wishing further information about this project can
contact Winnie Buckley on 504941 or Audrey Rae on 506320.
COFFEE MORNING
Beith Scouts are holding their annual coffee morning and plant sale in Beith
Community Centre on Saturday 10th May from 10.00 am – 12.00 noon. This is
usually a very popular event with a wide range of stalls and locals attracted by
the many border plants available for sale.
OLD FOLKS WELFARE
Last Friday, Beith Old Peoples Welfare Committee organised a superb concert and
buffet for local older people in Beith Community Centre. By all reports the
event was an outstanding success with everyone thoroughly enjoying the first
class entertainment. A very thoughtful touch at the end of the event saw every
lady receiving a complimentary bunch of flowers. Those who attended the show were
raving about this event and a word of thanks must go to the committee who
organised a first-class event.
