BEITH LOCAL NOTES

DIAMOND WEDDING
23 February 1943 was a very special day for Charles Jamieson (83) Beith’s Rowan Place when he married his sweetheart Janet 

Shields (80). Sadly, Janet suffered a stroke several months ago and has been confined in Ayrshire Central Hospital since then. 

However, 60 years of married life is a very special occasion and this Sunday they hope to have a small celebration to mark this 

occasion in hospital. Charlie was born in Beith and attended Beith Academy where the headmaster at that time was David Conn. 

He left school at age 14 and trained as a cabinet maker in Beith’s Stevenson and Higgins Janefield works. Later on he carried 

on this trade at Balfour’s West of Scotland Works. During the war years he served for almost 2 years in India with the RAOC 

having trained initially at Fort George in Scotland. Serving from 1942 – 1946, he was a Warrant Officer class 2. Returning to 

civilian life he went back to his trade in Beith. However, for the last 15 years of his working life he worked for the Customs 

and Excise at the Beith Whisky Bond. His wife, Janet Shields was a Glengarnock girl and attended Gray’s School which until 

demolished a few years ago, was the old Glengarnock Primary. Janet worked at Kilbirnie Networks and in later years worked for 

Airmet in Beith before it too closed down. They have one son, Charles who lives in Kilmarnock and two grandsons, Colin and 

Alasdair. And the secret of a happy marriage. “Well,” said Charlie, “I suppose you simply try to get on with one another.” 

Donald Reid writes: I’m sure the kindest thoughts of everyone in Beith and district will be with Mrs Janet Jamieson who is 

still in Ayrshire Central Hospital, Irvine in Pavilion 10. We wish them a very happy day this Sunday.

MUSIC FINALS
Beith’s talented young musician, Kenneth Blackburn, 17, last week took part in the finals of the Ayrshire Young Musician of 

the Year. There were ten finalists from throughout North Ayrshire performed their various pieces at the Magnum Theatre. 

Kenneth, who plays marimba and xylophone, is a 6th student at Garnock Academy and a member of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award 

at Beith High linked with Beith Trinity Church where he has obtained bronze and silver awards. Needless to say his large 

contingent of supporters were delighted when the adjudicators announced that Kenneth had won the event for his programme 

which included classical, contemporary and ragtime music. A tremendous feat by a very talented young Beith musician. 

Congratulations and more strength to your elbow, Kenneth! 

CANADA BOUND (PHOTO OF FAMILY AVAILABLE)
Tom Marshall, the son of well known Gatesiders, Bob (Village Blacksmith) and Elizabeth Marshall, married his Canadian wife, 

Lindsay 5 years ago after they met in Toronto. Kayla belonged originally to Mississaugua near Toronto and trained as a teacher 

here in Scotland. She is currently teaching at Barrhead Primary School. Tom, who served his apprenticeship as a toolmaker with 

IBM at Greenock, has worked for several years for an American owned plastics engineering company in Blantyre. 

He recently received the opportunity through his company of a position in Toronto. Needless to say both Tom and Lindsay 

jumped at this as they had been hoping to emigrate for some time. They have a 5 month old daughter, Kayla, and the family will 

initially lived with Lindsay’s parents in Mississaugua until they find a home of their own. The happy couple are looking forward 

to the challenges which lie ahead and Lindsay hopes to continue her teaching career. They both send their kindest regards to all 

their friends in Beith. A farewell party is being held for them in Gateside Inn on Saturday 22nd February and they fly to Canada 

on 28 February. Everyone who know the happy couple will wish them every success in their new life in Canada. 

BARRMILL JOLLY BEGGARS
President Joe Jardine welcomed a good turnout of cronies of Barrmill Jolly Beggars Burns Club for their February open night 

last week. The speaker was Robert McKenzie of Cumbernauld. Robert has excellent connections with Beith having lived in Gateside 

and Beith and worked at the RNAD between 1956 and 1964. Indeed his wife Elizabeth is the sister of well known Beithites, George 

and John Colligan. Robert’s story was truly fascinating and very humbling. He was born in Germany of a Jewish father and when 

he was 8 years of age there occurred on 9 November 1938 what was known as The Night of Crystal when the streets of many 

German cities were literally covered in broken glass as windows were smashed, 1,000 synagogues were looted and burned  

and there was a mass arrest of Jewish men who were sent to concentration camps. The British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain 

agreed that if funding was available that German children of Jewish extraction could be brought to Britain. Eventually some  

10,000 children were transported to the UK in a 10 month period in what was known as Kinder transport or child transport at 

no cost at all to the British Exchequer. Robert and his sister were taken from their home and placed on a train and eventually 

ended up in Scotland where they were put into the care of a Mr McKenzie in Forres. Such was the level of love shown to Robert 

that he eventually took his adopted father’s name as a tribute to him as he himself had no sons to carry on the McKenzie name. 

Robert’s own father and grandfather were taken to Bauchenball Concentration camp where his grandfather subsequently died, but 

his father survived this ordeal. However, in later years after the war, the area where Robert had lived was then within East 

Germany and there were very severe restrictions of access. Accordingly it was 1958 before he was eventually reunited with his 

parents. The story of his life from age 8 until now was told very movingly and the audience were simply spellbound as he 

recounted events from a personal perspective. Robert responded to a number of questions from the cronies and at the end of a 

fascinating talk a vote of thanks was proposed by cronie Willie McDougall. Robert McKenzie will later give this same talk to 

Beith and District Historical Society and this is indeed a talk which is strongly recommended. The next meeting of Barrmill 

Jolly Beggars is on Monday, 10 March at 7.30 in the Eglinton Inn when the speaker is Clive French of Beith whose talk is 

entitled: The History of the Glasgow – Ardrossan Canal.

HMS DASHER LECTURE
Ardrossan based writers, John and Noreen Steele, who are very well known in the Garnock Valley, recently published their 

very successful book entitled, The Secrets of HMS Dasher. This book highlighted more information about the sinking of the 

aircraft HMS Dasher in the Clyde between Arran and Ardrossan in 1943. They are giving a talk about this tragedy and signing 

copies of the book at Saltcoats library on Saturday, 8 March at 11.00 am. For further information contact Saltcoats 

Library on 01294-469546.  

GARNOCK VALLEY COMMUNITY SAFETY FORUM
Garnock Valley Community Safety Forum, in partnership with North Ayrshire Council, are organising a Community Safety C

onference in Beith Community Centre on Saturday 15th March 2003 from 10am till 3.30pm.  There will be key-note speakers 

including, Alan Wilson MSP and Peter McNamara of North Ayrshire Council and a Youthlink Scotland board member.
 

Four workshops will be held in the afternoon and include a Personal Safety Course taster for men and women, as well as looking 

at the development of the Garnock Valley Community Safety Forum.  There will also be information displays from various 

organisations looking at specific areas of safety in the community.  Even better there will be a free crèche, free lunch, 

tea and coffee, free prize draw and free transport to Beith.    In fact there is no cost to you at all.
 

To register for a place or for further information, please contact Brenda Allan, Safety Forum Development Worker, 

on 01475 568650 or Colin Bruce, Community Education Worker on 01505 684551.
 

Remember this is your community so why not come to put your opinions across concerning community safety issues throughout the 

Garnock Valley.

BEITH AND DIST COMM COUNCIL
Beith and District Community Council are delighted to announce that they have been successful in their bid to North Ayrshire 

Community Safety Challenge Budget. The Community Council are currently preparing a Community Safety Magazine which will be 

very widely distributed in Beith, Barrmill and Gateside. Groups or organisations are cordially invited to submit community 

information for this magazine as soon as possible and this should be forwarded to Donald L Reid, 7 Manuel Avenue, Beith. 

Local school children are invited to think of  a suitable name for the newsletter and forms are available from Beith Library 

with prizes for the best ideas. News from the last meeting of Beith Community Council has been held over to next week.

BARRMILL COMM ASSOC
Jean Gilbert, Chair of Barrmill Community Association, would like to express her thanks to the committee for all their hard 

work at the recent soup and sandwich lunch for the local older people in the village and district which was a great success. 

On Monday, 17 March at 7.00 pm there will be a demonstration by Heartstart Ayrshire and Arran in Barrmill Community Centre. 

All ages will be very welcome to learn how you can help others in a medical emergency. A ‘bus shelter has now been erected in 

Barrmill village in Beith Road at Southbarr Brae to the delight of villagers. A saltbox has now been located outside the 

Community Centre to enable villagers to have access to road salt for icy weather.

BIRTHDAY GIRL
Strange goings on last week in Beith’s Main Street. Balloons and streamers covering the library entrance! Strange indeed and 

definitely worthy of investigation by your intrepid correspondent. As you might expect there was a birthday girl in residence. 

Popular local librarian, Mrs Maureen Dale, had reached the big 50 when life really begins and her colleagues caught her by 

surprise as she arrived gobsmacked at the library. There is no way she was going to escape the limelight! 

Happy birthday, Maureen.
 

BEITH CANCER CARE
Last Friday the Ayrshire Cancer Support Group, Beith Branch held their annual dance in the Beith Community Centre. 

The music was provided by the Irvine based, Music Makers, and they proved to be a first class and very popular band. 

The night was greatly enjoyed by everyone with excellent feedback about the event. The total amount of money raised on 

the night including donations was £1,077.34. Bill and Moira Haining, organisers of the Beith Branch send a special word 

of thanks to everyone who helped in the background and donated prizes.

BEITH HEALTH CENTRE  INFORMATION
As recently intimated in the columns of the Herald, Dr Peggie and partners intimate that the new Advanced Appointments System 

is now in place at Beith Health Centre and will commence on Monday 3 March. This means that the Health Centre will no longer 

have an emergency drop-in clinic, but appointments will be available and all patients will be offered an appointment with a 

GP within 48 hours. The Health Centre would, however, advise patients that these changes may result in the Health Centre 

switchboard being exceptionally busy at the beginning of each week and would suggest that patients wishing to arrange 

non-urgent routine review appointments may find it more convenient to telephone towards the end of the week. Dr Peggie 

and partners would like to thank everyone for their cooperation and understanding during the implementation of these changes. 

It is emphasised that this new system does not come into operation until Monday 3 March and until then the current arrangements 

remain in place and anyone wishing clarification can speak to any staff members at the health centre. 

BEITH DISTRICT GUIDE ASSOCIATION
Beith District Guide Association Thinking Day Service will be held in the High Church on Sunday, February 23 at 10.30 am. They 

will be joined by Beith Scouts. After the service there will be a sandwich lunch in the High Church Hall. All parents, friend 

and members of the congregation will be very welcome. A donation will be gratefully received and all monies raised will benefit 

the International Guide Association which sponsors projects for children world-wide.

SEW AND SEWS CLUB
The Sew and Sews Club which is based at the Valley Arc in Garnock Academy Kilbirnie would like to thank the lady who recently 

handed in a large amount of cotton materials for the ongoing sewing project being undertaken by the Valley Arc ladies. 

They are currently trying to make 100 quilts for a charity which supports Romanian orphaned children. Hence the donation of 

the cotton materials is greatly appreciated. As the material was handed in to staff at the Valley Arc, the Sew and Sews Club 

were unable to identify the recipient and thank her personally. We are happy to pass on their thanks to the kind and thoughtful 

lady. Anyone who has materials which might be helpful to the club can hand it in to the Valley Arc which is located in part of 

Garnock Academy or contact Lexa Wilson on 01505-502314 who will be happy to arrange to uplift materials and tell you how you 

too might become a famous Sew and Sews club member. Remember, folks, a stitch in time saves nine! 

JOLLY BEGGARS
Barrmill Jolly Beggars Burns Club was formed in Barrmill in 1944 and based at what was then the Hillcrest Hotel, later the 

Trout Inn and now called the Station Inn. Nowadays the club meets in the Eglinton Inn, Beith. In the coming session the club 

will celebrate their diamond jubilee. They are keen to collect memorabilia, photographs, programmes of the past and anything 

else relating to the history of the club as they intend to produce a publication marking 60 years of the famous Wee Happy Club. 

Photographs sought include any of the original members such as first president, John Cashmore; vice president 

William Dalzell, secretary Edward Anderson and early committee members including Tom Boyd, John McGregor, Robert McGregor, 

Dick Rae and Matthew Boyd. Some of the early speakers and entertainers at the club were R B Neil, Robert Gibson, 

Charlie Anderson and James Sanderson, James Hamilton,  J P Hunter, Nathaniel Bates, Tom Williamson, Harry Young, Willie 

Gemmill, David Miller and SC Jamieson. If anyone has such items which could be borrowed for copying they are asked to 

contact secretary Donald L Reid on 01505-503801 or Hon President Norman M Henderson on 01505-502419. There may be others 

who have special reminiscences of the club which they may wish to share. The club are very grateful to the Co-operative 

Local Grant Scheme for the generous donation of £500 towards the cost of their diamond jubilee celebrations.  

RATS
Residents Against Tip Site (RATS) have now opened an official web site which is currently at an early stage of development. 

Those with computers can access the site on: http://beithrats.tripod.com. The site will provide a full update on the current 

application for a landfill site at Trearne Quarry and it will highlight what RATS consider to be the salient issues of public 

concern. The site is being developed on behalf of RATS by local men, David Elstone and Andy Barker. It is intended that the 

site will be updated on a very regular basis, so locals are encouraged to mark it as a “favourite” and ensure that they pay 

regular visits to find out the latest news and campaigning action by RATS. Anyone who wishes to contact the web masters can 

do so on: beithrats@hotmail.com. They will welcome comments and enquiries and will be very happy to try to answer questions 

raised by members of the public.

RATS are holding a fund raising Time and Talents auction in the Gateside Inn on Saturday, March 1 at 9.00 pm. This involves 

looking for individuals who will offer their time and talents to others who will bid a sum of money for what is offered. The 

types of talents already offered include holding parties, sailing trips, offering to cook meals, tidying gardens and a caravan 

holiday weekend. If you feel that you might be able to help, please contact the organiser, Marlyn Pollock on 01505-502072 or 

more importantly simply come along to the event and made a bid for some of the talents on offer. All funds raised from this 

event will assist RATS in their ongoing campaign to fight the proposed landfill site at Trearne Quarry, Gateside. 

BEITH ARTS GUILD
Beith Arts Guild continue their popular season of shows sponsored by Enterprise Music Scotland. They present a programme of 

operatic favourites in Beith Community Centre this Sunday (23 February) at 2.30 pm. The talented performers include Christine 

Dunwoodie, Judith Plint, Ivor Klaymen, Terence Robertson with Robert Melling on piano and the show is directed by Robin Wilson. 

Tickets are available at the door price £5 for adults, concessions £3.

BEITH BOOK CLUB
Beith Library are on the lookout for avid readers who might enjoy talking to other like-minded folk about the books they have 

read. The library are holding an inaugural meeting of Beith Book Club in the library on Tuesday, February 25 at 7.00 pm. Young 

and older folk alike will be warmly welcomed to this first meeting or in the interim pop into the library and find out more 

about this new club.

SCOUTS
Beith Scouts are keen to invite young folk to join their ranks and have a wide and varied programme of activities to suit all 

tastes. All meetings are held in the BB Hall. The Beavers meet every Monday from 6.30 pm – 7.45 pm and boys aged 6 – 8 years 

will be made welcome. The cubs meet every Wednesday from 7.00 pm – 8.45 pm and caters for boys aged 8 – 10 years. The Scouts 

meet every Tuesday from 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm and boys aged 10 – 14 years will enjoy a varied programme of activities. The 

Explorers, a relatively new section in the Scouts which replaced the Rover Scouts, meet each Monday from 7.45 pm – 9.30 pm 

for boys aged 14 years and upwards. All sections meet in Beith BB Hall. Like most other organisations, the Scouts are always 

on the lookout for leaders and ad hoc helpers. For further information on any of the groups or becoming a helper, contact 

Jimmy on 01505-340228 or Lesley on 01505-502999. 

IN THE SWIM
Can your children swim? If not why don’t you enrol them for swimming lesson at Garnock Pool. It’s never too early to learn! 

Classes are available for parent and baby, ducklings (aged 3 years) and juveniles. It’s never too late to learn either so 

Garnock Pool also has classes for adults. For further information contact Susan, Angie or Norma on 01505-683304.

BEITH SNOOKER CLUB
Beith Snooker club meets every Sunday night from 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm in Beith Community Centre and new members, irrespective 

of age, will be warmly welcomed. For further details contact Alastair McKain on 01505-502408

BEITH HIGH CHURCH YOUTH GROUP
Beith High Church Senior Youth Group resumes this Sunday evening. Members are asked to note that this meeting will be held in 

Beith Trinity Church Hall at 7.00 pm as a joint meeting with the Junior Youth Group. A good turnout of members would be 

appreciated. Members and parents are also advised that on Sunday, 23 March the group will be travelling to Clark Memorial 

Church in Largs leaving the High Church Hall at 5.45 pm prompt. A good turnout of members is requested for this special 

youth event. The Moderator of the Church of Scotland is visiting the local Presbytery and he is keen to meet as many local 

young folk as possible. The young people should be uplifted from Largs at approximately 9.15 pm.

BEITH BADMINTON CLUB
Beith Ladies Badminton Club which meets every Tuesday night from 8.00 pm – 10.00 pm are on the lookout for new members. 

For further information contact Gaile Spiers on 01505685343.

YOUNG FARMERS
Beith and District Young Farmers’ Club is holding its Annual Dinner Dance on Saturday 1st March in The Lauriston Hotel, 

Ardrossan at 7pm. Tickets will cost £18 and are available from any committee member or telephone Anne.
 

The Ayrshire Talent Spot Competition will be held on Wednesday 5th March in Troon Town Hall. Anyone wishing to support the 

club should contact Anne for tickets (adults £5, concessions £3)
 

Anyone wishing a concert video priced £5 should contact Julie Scott (01294 832262).
 

The next club meeting will be the AGM held on Monday 24th February in the Patrick Memorial Hall, Gateside at 7.30pm.
 

For tickets, information or transport to any of these events please contact any committee member, telephone 

Anne on 01294 832424, Lewis on 01294 832262 or email Gillian at: BeithYFC@hotmail.com
 

KIDS R US
Kids R Us is a mother and toddler group who meet on a Monday and Wednesday in Beith Community Centre from 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm. 

The women and children enjoy singing activities, play and story time and generally have a very happy and rewarding time together 

in an atmosphere which promotes learning and positive behaviour. A few vacancies are available. Why not come along and try out 

this happy group. Contact Winnie on 01505-504941.

NORTH AYSHIRE BRASS
North Ayrshire Brass Band, under musical director, Hugh Brennan, are currently working very hard practising for the Scottish 

Championships to be held at Falkirk Town Hall on Sunday, 9 March. The band will pay a test piece, Northern Landscapes, written 

by popular Scottish composer, Peter Graham. There are four sections to the piece, Industry, Seascapes, Earth Dance and Flight. 

The piece was recently recorded by world famous brass band, Black Dyke Mills. This band, conducted by Dr Nicholas Childs, will 

be performing at Ayr Town Hall the day before the Scottish Championships, on Saturday, 8 March at 7.30 pm. Tickets for this 

event, which is a fundraiser for Ayr Salvation Army Building Fund, can be obtained from North Ayrshire Band treasurer, Jim 

MacDonald , 9 Dalry Road, Kilbirnie Tel. 01505-682769. Tickets are priced £12 (balcony) and £10.

COFFEE MORNING
2nd Beith Guides are holding a coffee evening in Beith Trinity Church tonight (Friday) from 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm. There will be 

the usual baking stall and tickets cost £1 are can be obtained from the church or any of the 2nd Beith Guides or simply turn 

up on the evening.

RSPB 
On Saturday 22 February from 12 noon until 3.00 pm there is another chance to visit the RSPB centre at Lochwinnoch where you 

can enjoy learning how to make your own bird box which you can then take home ready for use in the spring. Materials and 

instructions are provided and there is a cover charge of £3 per box. This event is particularly suitable for children. 

Booking in advance is recommended and this can be done in person at the RSPB centre or by telephone on 01505-842663 or by 

e-mail: Lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk    

TRINITY CHURCH TODDLER GROUP
Trinity Church Toddler Group meet in Trinity Church Hall each Thursday afternoon from 1.30 pm – 3.00 pm. This is a friendly 

group where you can meet other mums and enjoy seeing children develop through play. For further information contact Karen 

Campbell on 01505-506479 or Karen Millan on 01505-502283.

SHOWSTOPPERS
Last Saturday evening Beith Trinity Church presented an evening of entertainment with songs, verse and instrumental playing 

a wide music and interludes performed by Beith’s very talented Blackburn family. There was a good audience and everyone 

enjoyed an evening of first class entertainment. Kenneth Blackburn (17) performed the same pieces which last week won him 

the title of Ayrshire Young Musician of the Year. An outstanding accolade from a talented Beith musician. Naturally, everyone 

was delighted at Kenneth’s success and the great honour which he has brought to Beith and to his school, Garnock Academy.

TRINITY TODDLERS
The Trinity Church Morning Toddlers Group have recently received a grant of £4,700 from the Awards For All Scheme. This money 

will be spent on safety mats, barriers, play equipment and outing costs for the group. The group meets on Thursday at 9.30 am 

and currently has vacancies. Anyone wishing further information about the group is asked to contact Jill on 01505-503631, 

Allison on 01505-502713 or  Catriona on 01505-504798.

FASHION SHOW
A fashion show and coffee evening is being presented by Beith Trinity Church and Beith Christian Action Group Thrift Shop 

in the Trinity Church Hall on Tuesday, February 25 at 7.00 pm. There will be a cover charge of £2. Tickets are available 

from the Thrift Shop in Main Street. This show was almost a sell-out last year, so make sure you get your tickets, ladies.

BEITH TOWN CENTRE INITIATIVE
The committee of Beith Town Centre Initiative are continuing their continuing fund raising efforts to ensure that the town 

moves into Christmas festive mode later this year. The group have devised a Towns in Scotland Quiz and copies are available 

from Bright Sparks, B & A Travel and Elricks Emporium at the cost of £1. Needless to say locals have been wracking their brains 

and tearing their hair out to get all the quiz answers. However, it would appear that great frustration has been caused to many 

by question 17 on the sheet, so if you are keen on crosswords and particularly good at coming up with answers to cryptic clues, 

make sure you get your quiz sheet and solve the mystery question 17 and win a major prize! 

Any business, trader or individual in Beith who wishes further information about BTCI and its plans to ensure Beith is a brighter

better place should contact the energetic secretary, Sandra Brown at Bright Sparks or by telephone on 01505-503625.

BEITH PRIMARY
This week two of talented musical pupils from Beith Primary, Alexander Kirk and Kate Wilkes, will attend a course organised by 

the Royal Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) at Ayr Racecourse from Tuesday to Friday this week. This is part of the North 

Ayrshire outreach service provided by RSAMD. There will be many other young people from North Ayrshire schools at this event 

and the young folk will take part in two concerts during the week, improve their musical skills and enjoy working with other 

young folk in a musical setting.

INTERNET COURSE
Does the word computer simply fill you with horror? Would you like to be able to access the internet and explore the fascinating 

internet world? The Scottish Executive have financed internet access points all over Scotland to encourage local people to 

become more computer literate. In Beith a full range of  community based computer course aimed at developing the practical 

skills and knowledge required to access the internet are now on offer in the Arabica computer suite at 47a Main Street 

(above Riverhills). They are also now offering After School Specials from 3.00 pm till 5.30 pm when young folk can access 

the internet, gain extra computer skills, play games, learn a variety of computer packages or simply brush up on homework. 

Interestingly a number of enthusiastic older people have recently signed up for courses, thus emphasising that the computer 

age is not just for young folk, but also holds great potential for helping golden oldies discover a whole new and totally 

fascinating world. Anyone wishing to register or find out more about the full range of current and future courses should 

contact Alan on 01505-504489.

COMIC RELIEF
This year Comic Relief will be held on Friday, 14 March and this year’s theme is “Big Hair Do.” Individuals and businesses 

often support such fund raising efforts which tend to bring a smile to everyone whilst raising much needed funds for charity. 

Already the staff of Arabica Bistro and Café in Main Street are planning to raise funds on this day and we hear that 

Beith Library staff are also planning some interesting events. If any other businesses, groups or individuals have plans to 

raise funds for Comic Relief, let’s hear about your ideas!

BEITH OPEN AWARD GROUP
The Senior Youth Group at Beith High linked with Trinity Church met last Sunday evening in the High Church Hall at 7 pm when 

34 members were present. The evening was spent working on Duke of Edinburgh’s Award activities. Award log books were issued 

to bronze and silver candidates and a review of progress to date was carried out. There is no meeting of the Award Group this 

Sunday and on Sunday, 23 February the group will be taking part in a joint meeting with the Trinity Junior Youth Group. 

This will be held in Trinity Church and members and parents are asked to note this change of venue.

BEITH ST. INAN’S ANGLING CLUB
An advance notice to remind all members of Beith St. Inan’s Angling Club that membership can be renewed on the first two 

Fridays in March, between 7 and 9 pm in the Community Centre.

EARLY YEARS CENTRE
Garnock Valley Early Years Centre is located within St. Bridgits Primary School campus, Hagthorn Avenue, Kilbirnie. The 

baby and toddler group is aimed at children from 0 – 3 years and meets each Tuesday and Wednesday from 1.15 pm – 2.45 pm 

and funded places are available for parents in the Garnock Valley area. To find out more about this innovative project which 

aims to encourage fit Ayrshire babies contact Allison or Isobel at St Bridgits on 01505-681322.

HAPPY CHAPPERS
Last Tuesday the ladies were in good form at the happy chapping club in Beith Community Centre. The dominoes champ was Mrs 

J Welsh closely followed by Mrs I McAuslane and Mrs E Robinson. On Thursday the chapping champ was Mrs M Kennedy with Mrs A 

Smith and Mrs I McAuslane coming in second and third. The Tuesday whist champion was Mrs I Reid who was in exceptionally good 

form with Mrs A Sands second and Mrs E McKechan third. On Thursday the card sharp lady was again Mrs I Reid who must have 

practised very hard, winning on two consecutive occasions, with Mrs A Sands second and Mrs S Brennan third. Things seem to be 

hotting up at this competitive club and it may even be the case that some illicit practising is going on outwith club times. 

Jings, help ma boab, could be a scandal in the offing even! 

MATES
MATES is a acronym for motivating and training educational support. This is a project run by North Ayrshire Council Community 

Education Service, for young people aged 16-25 years in the Garnock Valley. The project aims to help participants compile CVs 

and covering letters, find the college place of their choice, how to perform well at an interview, search for jobs effectively 

and develop independent living skills. MATES is held in Beith Community Centre every Friday between 12 noon and 3.00 pm. For 

further information about this innovative personal development course for young adults tel. 01505-683652.

BEITH COLTS
The recently formed Beith Colts are displaying first class footballing skills as the youngsters begin to get to grips with 

competitive football. The youngsters are training hard every Thursday in the BB Hall and looking forward to the better weather 

when outdoor football resumes and they can put their new strips to good use.

HIGH CHURCH PLAYGROUP
Beith High Church Playgroup have recently designed a logo for the group and most of the children and play leaders have new blue 

coloured tops with the distinctive logo thereon. The logo was designed by play leader Dawn Stoddart of Beith and the first 

batch of jerseys arrived to the delight of the children and leaders just before Christmas. It is hoped that all the children 

will eventually have a new jersey with logo. The playgroup currently has 30 children and they meet Tuesday – Friday from 

9.15 am until 11.45 am in the High Church Hall where they enjoy a full range of interactive activities designed to challenge 

and stimulate the children through play. The current play leaders are Dawn Stoddart, Allison Gillan, Pamela Currie, Angela 

Sloan and Isobel Monahan. 

SPONSORED ABSEIL
Are you one who relishes a challenge? Do you have a head for heights? If so, you could help the Anthony Nolan Trust by taking 

part in an exciting abseil down the precipitous Mauchline gorge. The dates is Sunday 16 March and solts are available during 

the day for this 100 foot abseil. For further details telephone 01555-660388.

JUMBLE SALE
A jumble sale is being held in the Chapel Hall, Crummock Street on Friday 28 February at 6.30 pm. There will be the usual stalls 

and tea room.

RANGERS SUPPORTERS CLUB
Beith Saracen Rangers Supporters Club are travelling to the Honest Toon tomorrow (Saturday) for the cup game against Ayr United. 

The ‘bus leaves Beith at 12 noon, Kilbirnie at 12.15 pm and Dalry at 12.30 pm. This game is restricted to those with tickets and 

they should contact John on 01505-500264 or Andy on 01505-503928 to confirm places on the ‘bus.  

NORTH AYRSHIRE YOUTH THEATRE
This is one for budding actors. Commotion, North Ayrshire Youth Theatre are currently holding sessions for young people who may 

be interested in theatre. The Garnock Valley sessions are being held in the Valley Arc, School Road, Kilbirnie each Tuesday 

evening between 6.30 pm and 8.30 pm. For further information contact the Valley Arc on 01505-684225

ARDROSSAN & SALTCOATS HERALD
DONALD L REID 
(Tel. 01505-503801 e-mail: donaldleesreid@hotmail.com