Beith News Jan 24 2003

DONALD L REID 503801

BEITH SCOUTS report that following their Christmas card delivery service, they delivered some 4200 cards in Beith and raised £421. They pass on their thanks to everyone who supports this annual fund raising service to the community. The Beavers meet every Monday from 6.30pm-7.45pm and boys aged 6-8 years will be made welcome.

The cubs meet every Wednesday from 7pm-8.46pm and cater for boys aged 8-10 years. The Scouts meet every Tuesday from 7pm-9pm and boys aged 10-14 years wilt 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-9.30pm for boys aged 14 years and upwards. AS 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.

Greenhills Rural held their annual Scots Night in Barrmill Community Centre on Wednesday, January 15. A brief number of business matters were dealt with before the company enjoyed the remainder of the evening. The piper, lan Mathieson, piped in the haggis which was carried by Kate Dann and was addressed by Mrs Margaret Shanks.

After enjoying a tradition Bums fayre, the company were treated to same wonderful entertainment in the form of songs, musk; and hilarious stories by Mr lan Thompson and friends. Mrs Betty Elliot judged the competitions for the evening.

The Reid trophy for a favourite paperweight saw Mrs J Lamond beating Mrs S Gardner and Miss Jean Gilbert into second and third place.

The salver for the best three truffles was also won by in-form Mrs J Lament with Mrs B Robertson second and Mrs N Brown third. Mrs Sheila Craig gave a comprehensive vote of thanks and the meeting closed with the singing of Auld Lang Syne.

Last Monday Beith Trinity Men's Fellowship were hosts to a party of members from West Kilbride St Andrews Men’s Fellowship. The evening took the form of a games night with embers taking part in snooker darts and bowls. After two hotly contested rounds the finalists in the bowls competition, both showing a shot difference of +6, were Jim Paton, Robbie Orr, John Shields and John McGibbon who were matched against Hugh Brown, Bobby Wilson, John Darroch and Alex McMillan. Jim Paton's rink proved stronger, however, with a resounding seven shots to 1 victory. In the darts competition, which was decided by the contestant with the lowest score, the winner was Jim Milligan.

Members are reminded that next Monday is the dosing date for all first round bowling, darts and snooker ties.

All 1 st Beith BB sections met as usual on Friday evening, when the company had a visit from Mr Lawrence Napier, the Paisley and District Battalion secretary.

There was a full programme of events underway in all sections, and Mr Napier talked for some time to the two company section boys who are working towards their Queen's Badge. All sections will meet at the usual time tonight (Friday).

Spiers Nursing Home in Beith have some computer and office equipment which they are offering to voluntary groups. Anyone who might be interested is asked to contact Loma Howgate on 01505-503324.

Its railway mania this weekend and all roads lead to sunny Saltcoats. Kilmamock and District Model Railway Club are holding their 21st Annual Exhibition in Saltcoats Town Hall on Saturday, January 25 from 11.00 am until 5.00 pm. The exhibition also runs on Sunday, January 26 from 12.00 noon until 4.00 pm. Adult tickets cost £2.50 with children and OAPs £1.50. A family ticket costs £7.

Can your children swim? If not why don't you enrol them for swimming lesson at Gamock Pool. Ifs never too early to learn! Classes are available for parent and baby, ducklings (aged 3 years) and juveniles.

It's never to late to learn either so Gamock Pool also has classes for adults. For further information contact Susan, Angle or Norma on 01505-683304.

Beith and District Young Farmers' Club are holding a Burns Supper and Ceilidh on Friday, January 31 in Beith Community Centre at 7pm. Tickets are priced £5 and everyone is welcome! For tickets please contact any committee member or telephone Anne.

The dub are holding a Traffic Light Dance on Saturday, February 1 in the Grand Hall, Kilmamock at 9pm. Everyone is welcome. Wednesday, February 12 is the date of the annual Whist Drive in Beith Community Centre at 7.30pm. To take a table please contact Anne.

The annual dinner dance will be held on Saturday, March 11n The Lauriston Hotel, Ardrossan at 7pm. Tickets will cost £18 and are available from any committee member or telephone Anne.

The next dub meeting will be held on Monday, January 27 in the Patrick Memorial Hall. Gateside at 7.30pm and will take the form of a split meeting. Group A will receive a talk from Mr D Howat, Auchincruive lecturer on waste and Group B will receive a talk from Hessilhead Wildlife. Beith. This to «n open meeting for the NFU, Discussion Society, Rurals and Parents.

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 is a mother and toddler group who meet on a Monday and Wednesday in Beith Community Centre from 1 pm-3pm. The women and children enjoy singing activities, play and story time and generally have a very happy and rewarding time together. A few vacancies are available. Why not go along and try out this happy group. Contact Wire* on 01505-504941.

Beith Library are again holding another session of their popular Bounce and Tickle programme on Tuesday, February 4 at 10.30 am. Mums are asked to call in at the library to register their children.

Gobi Hamilton, chairman of Residents Against Tip Site (RATS) intimates that they will be holding a public meeting tonight (Friday) in Beith Community at 7.30pm.

ft is understood that Brian Wilson MP will be speaking at this important meeting which will update locals on the progress of the bid by William Tracey to establish a landfill site at Treame Quarry, Gateside. Andy Christie MBE and Gay Christie MBE win also be speaking on the impact on wild life if the proposed landfill site goes ahead. RATS have large signs advertising this meeting around the town as well as publicity leaflets in a number of outlets. A good turnout of members of the public is requested.

Gamock Valley Disability Forum have arranged an outing for members to Linwood Cinema on the afternoon of Wednesday, January 29. The bus leaves Dairy at 11am, Kilbirnie at 11.30am and Beith at 12 noon before heading for Linwood. Members intending to go to the event should contact Jean Gilbert on 01505-502521.

Anyone in the Gamock Valley who suffers from a disability may well have had experience of location in Dairy, Kilbirnie, Beith or the villages where pavements are too high and have created problems. North Ayrshire Council Roads Department have kindly offered to look at any such location with a view to taking remedial action to improve the situation for people with disabilities.

Anyone in the Gamock Valley who has encountered particular problems at road junctions which would benefit from having kerbs lowered is invited to contact Jean Gilbert on 01505-502521 or Donald L Reid on 01505-503801 who will visit the site and if appropriate after discussion, pass on the matter to North Ayrshire Council for consideration of remedial action.

Trinity Church Toddler Group meet in Trinity Church Hall each Thursday afternoon from 1.30-3pm. 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

A church service will be held on Sunday, January 26 at 6 pm in Barrmill Community Centre when everyone will be warmly welcomed. The service will be conducted by Rev Fiona Ross.

Barmill Community Association are organising a soup lunch with entertainment for senior citizens in the district. This will be held on Thursday, January 30 at 12.30pm for 1pm in Barrmill Community Centre. Invitations have been issued, but should any senior citizen not have received a formal invitation, they should contact Jean Gilbert on 01505-502521. Jean would also appreciate a call from those who will be attending so that catering requirements can be finalised.

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 golden oldies have recently signed up for courses, ttius emphasising that the computer age is not just for young folk. Anyone wishing to register or find out more about the full range of current and future courses should contact Alan on 01505-504489.

Last Sunday evening there were 32 members present at the meeting of Beith Open Award Group at Beith High Church. The evening was spent enjoying a night at the movies.

This Sunday the group meet as usual at 7 pm (n the High Church Hall. Members are reminded that the group are holding an evening of entertainment on Sunday, February 2 at 6pm at Spiers Nursing Home. Members wifling to take part are asked to advise the group leader this Sunday.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) are looking for your help. They are organising the biggest garden bird-watch in the world.

They want you to help them to build up a picture of how well our common birds are doing and you never know what you might see? All they want you to do Is to spend one hour during THIS weekend, January 25/26,2003 (or for schools the week before or after the weekend) watching the birds in your garden, local park or school.

The RSPB ask that you tell them the largest number of each species you see at any one time. The likely birds to be found in Beith gardens include house sparrow, starling, robin, song thrush, collared dove, blue tit, coal tit, great tit, blackbird and chaffinch. There may be gardens which have a far wider range of visitors. You only need to record the birds actually in your garden, park or school grounds -not ones flying over.

An information leaflet explaining what is required is available from Beith Library and from the RSPB Centre, Lochwinnoch. You can find out more about it by logging on to the RSPB site at: www.rspb.org.uk/birdwalch. You can also use this site to enter your results which will speed up the process. This looks like being a really enjoyable fun event for all the family which will encourage everyone to more aware of the range and variety of birds in our gardens and you will also be part of what could be the largest birdwatch event ever.

Beith Playpark Action Group are still working very hard to ensure that the town's public park eventually has a state-of-the-art play facility for children and young people. The energetic committee have lately applied to North Ayrshire Council for a grant via the landfill tax credit system.

They have also applied to Children in Need for funding and applications will shortly wing their way from Beith to the Community Fund and Onyx Environmental Trust. The committee have recently received a donation of £250 from Warburton's Ltd.

The process of raising the large amount of money required for this project is long and drawn-out, but the committee are encouraged by the support they continue to receive at local level.

Beith Bowling Club are holding a dance tomorrow (Saturday) from 8pm till late to the popular group, Tangent. There will be a cover charge of £2.This will also be the first night of the new play-your-cards-right competition hosted by the club's social convener, Phil Shanaghey. The new competition starts off on January 25 at £25 and increases each week until won. So, if you come to Beith Bowling club you might just be in for a nice little earner if you play-your-cards-right.

Everyone in Beith and District will join in warmly congratulating Andy and Gay Christie who were jointly award MBEs in the New Years Honours list. Andy and Gay do sterling work at the Hessilhead Wild Life Centre which acts as an animal and bird sanctuary and provides a rescue service for large areas of Scotland and the North of England. Well done Andy and Gay!

MATES is a pseudonym 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 Gamock 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 Walker Hall. Kilbimie, Monday • Thursday from 11 am-3pm for 16-25-year-olds and from 7pm-9.30pm for age 14+. MATES will also be providing a drop in service at Dairy Public Hall and Beith Community Centre every Friday between 12 noon and 3pm. For further information about this innovative personal development course for young adults tel. 01505-683652.

Beith Camera Club held its annual general meeting in the Community Centre last Thursday evening. The President, Secretary and Treasurer presented their reports for the year 2002. There was a discussion about the programme for the coming year and there was general agreement on the need for greater emphasis on digital photography.

A new committee was elected for 2003: Alistair Knox was re-elected as president and Fred Wood as vice-president; Alma McLuskie was re-elected as ' • secretary and Alan Wilson as treasurer and Hugh Waterston was elected as competition secretary. The previous week Hugh swept the boards when he took first three places in the popular slide knockout coir so he should feel at home in his new post.

The first meeting of Gateside WRI for 2003 was held on Thursday, January 9 in the Patrick Memorial Hal. President Catherine McCarter welcomed a good turnout of members on what was a cold and frosty night.

After matters of business were attended to, Mrs McCarter introduced lan Jones, the speaker for the evening, lan is a helicopter pilot involved in search and rescue work.

He gave an interesting account of what the job entailed and the inhospitable conditions in which rescue work invariably has to take place. He responded to a number of questions from a very appreciative audience.

The competitions were judged by Mrs J Lament and Mrs B Raeside. The rose bowl for producing a yogard loaf was won by Mrs Annie Young. Being in great form the Garven Trophy was also won by Mrs Annie Young with Ms Isobel Hobkirk second. The Marion Fulton Quaich was the best cactus resulted in Jean Mclntyre being first followed closely by Isbobel Monahan and Joyce Walker.

Anne Dickson gave a comprehensive vote of thanks and the meeting dosed with the singing of the national anthem. Members are reminded that the next meeting is on Thursday, February 6 when there will be a short concert.

Commotion, North Ayrshire Youth Theatre are holding sessions for young people who may be interested in theatre between January 27 and March 30.

The Gamock Valley sessions will be held in the Valley Arc, School Road, Kilbimie each Tuesday evening between 6.30pm and 8.30pm. For further information contact the Valley Arc on 01505-684225

Calder UF Church, Lochwinnoch are holding a nearly new sale in the McKillop Hall tomorrow (Saturday) from 10am until 1pm. Entrance Is £1 and includes tea/coffee and shortbread. There will be a full range of the usual stalls to interest everyone.

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.

The young speedy Beithites were in action again recently. On 11 January Scott Keil, Colin Evans and Stephen McGoldrick ran in the U/13 boys West District Cross Country Championships at the Dam Park in Ayr, while Ian Hamilton took part in the men’s race.   Well done to them all.

On 19 January at the West District Indoor Championships Dionne Roy got a gold medal in the U/17 girls’ long jump and bronze in the triple jump, while Colin Evans won bronze in the U/13 boys’ high jump.  Great performances from them both!

YOUNG FARMERS

Beith and District Young Farmers’ Club is holding a Burns Supper and Ceilidh on Friday 31^st January in Beith Community Centre at 7pm. Tickets are priced £5 and everyone is welcome!  For tickets please contact any committee member or telephone Anne.

The club is holding a Traffic Light Dance on Saturday 1^st February in the Grand Hall Kilmarnock at 9pm.  Everyone Welcome!

Wednesday 12^th February is the date of the Annual Whist Drive in Beith Community Centre at 7.30pm.  To take a table please contact Anne.

The Annual Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday 1^st March in The Lauriston Hotel, Ardrossan at 7pm. Tickets will cost £18 and are available from any committee member or telephone Anne.

The next club meeting will be held on Monday 27^th January in the Patrick Memorial Hall, Gateside at 7.30pm and will take the form of a split meeting. Group A will receive a talk from Mr D Howat, Auchincruive Lecturer on Waste and Group B will receive a talk from Hessilhead Wildlife, Beith.  This is an Open Meeting for the NFU, Discussion Society, Rurals and Parents.

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. A few vacancies are available. Why not come along and try out this happy group. Contact Winnie on 01505-504941.

BOUNCE AND TICKLE

Beith Library are again holding another session of their popular Bounce and Tickle programme on Tuesday, February 4 at 10.30 am. Mums are asked to call in at the library to register their children for these fun sessions.

RATS

Colin Hamilton, chair of Residents Against Tip Site (RATS) intimates that they will be holding a public meeting tonight (Friday) in Beith Community at 7.30 pm. It is understood that Brian Wilson MP will be speaking at this important meeting which will update locals on the progress of the bid by William Tracey to establish a landfill site at Trearne Quarry, Gateside. Andy Christie MBE and Gay Christie MBE will also be speaking on the impact on wild life if the proposed landfill site goes ahead. RATS have large signs advertising this meeting around the town as well as publicity leaflets in a number of outlets. A good turnout of members of the public is requested.

DISABILITY FORUM

Garnock Valley Disability Forum have arranged an outing for members to Linwood Cinema on the afternoon of Wednesday, 29 January. The ‘bus leaves Dalry at 11.00 am, Kilbirnie at 11.30 am and Beith at 12.00 noon before heading for Linwood. Members intending to go to the event should contact Jean Gilbert on 01505-502521. Anyone in the Garnock Valley who suffers from a disability may well have had experience of location in Dalry, Kilbirnie, Beith or the villages where pavements are too high and have created problems. North Ayrshire Council Roads Department have kindly offered to look at any such location with a view to taking remedial action to improve the situation for people with disabilities. Anyone in the Garnock Valley who has encountered particular problems at road junctions which would benefit from having kerbs lowered is invited to contact Jean Gilbert on 01505-502521 or Donald L Reid on 01505-503801 who will visit the site and if appropriate after discussion, pass on the matter to North Ayrshire Council for consideration of remedial action.

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

BARRMILL COMMUNITY ASSOC

A church service will be held on Sunday, January 26 at 6 pm in Barrmill Community Centre when everyone will be warmly welcomed. The service will be conducted by Rev Fiona Ross.

Barrmill Community Association are organising and soup lunch with entertainment for senior citizens in the district. This will be held on Thursday, January 30 at 12.30 pm for 1.00 pm in Barrmill Community Centre. Invitations have been issued, but should any senior citizen not have received a formal invitation, they should contact Jean Gilbert on 01505-502521. Jean would also appreciate a call from those who will be attending so that catering requirements can be finalised.

INTERNET COURSE

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 ‘golden oldies’ have recently signed up for courses, thus emphasising that the computer age is not just for young folk. Anyone wishing to register or find out more about the full range of current and future courses should contact Alan on 01505-504489

BEITH OPEN AWARD GROUP

Last Sunday evening there were 32 members present at the meeting of Beith Open Award Group at Beith High Church. The evening was spent enjoying a night at the movies. This Sunday the group meet as usual at 7 pm in the High Church Hall. Members are reminded that the group are holding an evening of entertainment on Sunday, February 2 at 6.00 pm at Spiers Nursing Home. Members willing to take part are asked to advise the group leader this Sunday.

RSPB

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) are looking for your help. They are organising the biggest garden birdwatch in the world. They want you to help them to build up a picture of how well our common birds are doing and you never know what you might see? All they want you to do is to spend one hour during THIS weekend,  25-26 January 2003 (or for schools the week before or after this weekend) watching the birds in your garden, local park or school. The RSPB ask that you tell them the largest number of each species you see at any one time. The likely birds to be found in Beith gardens include House sparrow, Starling, Robin, Song thrush, Collared dove, Blue tit, Coal tit, Great tit, Blackbird and Chaffinch. There may be gardens which have a far wider range of visitors. You only need to record the birds actually in your garden, park or school grounds – not ones flying over. An information leaflet explaining what is required is available from Beith Library and from  the RSPB Centre, Lochwinnoch. You can find out more about it by logging on to the RSPB site at: www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch. You can also use this site to enter your results which will speed up the process. This looks like being a really enjoyable fun event for all the family which will encourage everyone to more aware of the range and variety of birds in our gardens and you will also be part of what could be the largest birdwatch event ever.

BEITH PLAYPARK ACTION GROUP

Beith Playpark Action Group are still working very hard to ensure that the town’s public park eventually has a state-of-the-art play facility for children and young people. The energetic committee have lately applied to North Ayrshire Council for a grant via the landfill tax credit system. They have also applied to Children in Need for funding and applications will shortly wing their way from Beith to the Community Fund and Onyx Environmental Trust. The committee have recently received a donation of £250 from Warburton’s Ltd. The process of raising the large amount of money required for this project is long and drawn-out, but the committee are encouraged by the support they continue to receive at local level. 

BEITH BOWLING CLUB

Beith Bowling Club are holding a dance tomorrow (Saturday), from 8.00 pm till late to the popular group, Tangent. There will be a cover charge of £2.This will also be the first night of the new play-your-cards-right competition hosted by the club’s social convener, Phil Shanaghey. The new competition starts off on 25 January at £25 and increases each week until won. So, if you come to Beith Bowling club you might just be in for a nice little earner if you play-your-cards-right.

CONGRATULATIONS

Everyone in Beith and District will join in warmly congratulating Andy and Gay Christie who were jointly award MBE’s in the New Years Honours list. Any and Gay do sterling work at the Hessilhead Wild Life Centre which acts as an animal and bird sanctuary and provides a rescue service for large areas of Scotland and the North of England. Well done Andy and Gay!