ARDOSSAN & SALTCOATS HERALD

BEITH LOCAL NOTES

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

SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2004

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BANKING ON CASH: The mums of Beith Play Park Action Group were delighted to received a donation from the Clydesdale Bank, Beith

to help towards their dream of a state-of-the-art playpark in Beith. Local branch manager, Marade Griffin (centre) with committee members.

(Photo: Donald L Reid – SP)

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David Murray (15) on accordian and Kieran Murray (9) on pipes entertain at Spiers Nursing Home, Beith.

(Photo: SP)

NEWS ITEMS

TOWN CENTRE INITIATIVE

Today (Friday) is a red-letter day in the annals of this historic North Ayrshire town. The official opening ceremony of Beith

Townscape Heritage Project begins at 11.30 am when a large number of guests will assemble at Beith Cross for a tour of the

area and offical photographs to mark this special day for the town. At 12 noon the guests and officials will proceed to Beith

Community Centre and shortly therafter there will be an official welcome by Provost Drew Duncan, North Ayrshire Council.

Proceedings will involve keynote speeches from Brian MacDonald, North Ayrshire Council; Caroline McIntyre, Hertage Lottery

Fund; David Lambie, Cunninghame Housing Association and Brian Wilson, MP. The Official Opening will be performed by Cecile

Shea, Principal Officer, US Consulate General, Edinburgh, which marks the link between Beith and the USA through Rev John Witherspoon,

minister of Beith 1745 – 1757 and the 20^th signatory to the American Declaration of Independence. Witherspoon, well known for his

participation in the American Revolution, served the American Congress on and off from 1776 to 1782 and was appointed to more than

100 committees, including the crucial committee on War and Foreign Affairs.  Interestingly, Witherspoon was one of only two Scots, the other

being James Wilson, who signed the Declaration of Independence, and the only clergyman to do so. Beith Town Centre Initiative was a

partnership project involving the community of Beith and was designed to regenerate the centre of Beith through refurbishment of buildings

and environmental work at the Cross as well as providing owner-occupier grants for residents within the Town Heritage Initiative boundaries

to promote conservation. The partners involved in what was one of the largest projects of its kind in Scotland were North Ayrshire Council,

Historic Scotland, Beith and District Community Council, Scottish Enterprise, Cunninghame Housing Association, Communities Scotland,

Heritage Lottery Fund and St Vincent Preservation Trust. There is no doubt that this project has given the most wonderful boost to the town

and everyone is delighted that the centre of Beith, with its special historical connections, is once again an area which everyone can take a

real pride in. No one should underestimate the difficulties involved in bringing this project to fruition and the thanks of everyone in the community

must go to all the various partners involved in achieving what many thought at the outset would be impossible. A very genuine thank you to all concerned.

RADIO CITY

Things are indeed looking up for the Valley of Garnock. In tandem with the completion of Beith Townscape Heritage Initiative, over in Kilbirnie

Radio City has now opened its doors and provides the folk of the Ganock Valley with a state-of-the-art Healthy Living Centre at Kilbirnie Cross.

The finish of the former cinema is to a very high standard indeed and like Beith Cross, the folk in Kilbirnie are also delighted that the centre of

their town is now on the up and up. Radio City provides a comprehensive range of services and facilities which are there to benefit everyone in the

Garnock Valley and indeed further afield. The multi-purpose gym is kitted out with numerous pieces of equipment designed to encourage all of us to

think about our fitness. There is a first class steam room and sauna to complement the gymnasium. The large multi-purpose hall has to be seen and

is an excellent facility for any number of events to suit clubs and organisations, to dances and dinners as well as conferences and meetings. The Moffat

Learning Centre is kitted out with 14 computers with courses organised by James Watt College. There is also a nursery facility provided by One Plus.

Ayrshire and Arran Health Board also have offices on the premises and there are a number of small managed workspaces available for let to small

businesses. The café is first class and the seven day opening from early morning till evening, means that the facility can be used by everyone. The centre

also has extensive recording studio facilities and classes in this technology will be made available to the public. Eventually, the aim is to have local radio

broadcasts from Radio City. There is no doubt that this is another exciting facility in the Garnock Valley. Why not drop across and look at what is available.

Tours of the building will be given and you can, of course, enjoy the healthy eating café before or after your tour. This is very much a Garnock Valley wide

community facility, which involved saving another key building from being razed to the ground. It is hoped that everyone locally will make use of a first-class

facility. The centre is open Monday to Friday from 7.30 am to 9.30 pm with shorter opening hours on Saturday and Sunday. Importnatly, Radio City is a great

example of a not-for-profit community organisation providing key community facility for the people, by the people, but it does mean that folk have to use the

facility to ensure that it prospers. For further information or to book a tour of the building contact Radio City on 685700.

BURNS SUPPER

Barrmill Jolly Beggars Burns Club held their Diamond Jubilee celebration of the life and works of Robert Burns last Friday in Beith Community Centre.

This historic event in the life of the club was very ably chaired by Norman M Henderson, Honorary President of the club, who was accorded the great honour

of being elected president of the club for the third time to mark his contribution to the club in this special milestone in their history. A sumptuous meal of the very

highest possible standard, served with great aplomb to the delight of the cronies, was provided by CRM Caterers of Kilbirnie. After the welcome and introductions

by the president, the evening began with the haggis being carried in by George Anderson to the piping of Neil McTaggart and it was enthusiastically addressed by

vice president Iain D Shaw. Prior to the commencement of the celebrations the company stood to remember two stawart Jolly Beggars who passed on during

2003. A tribute to absent friends was paid by secretary Donald L Reid to Bill Gemmell and S C ‘Simie’ Jamieson and this was followed by piper Neil McTaggart

playing the lament, The Flower o’ the Forest. Thereafter as a special tribute to the two departed friends, the company really did raise the roof when they sang,

Westering Home, as a poignant farewell to two men who over many years, were themselves great singers and stalwart members of the club. During the course

of the evening several of the songs of the bard were sung by club singers, Harry Young, Boby McBride and Pat Harkins. Tom ‘Pie’ Irvine entertained in his usual

inimitable style with Willie Wastle’s Wife and To A Louse. The Twa Dugs was splendidly performed by Iain D Shaw and Iain Skene with Donald Reid controlling

the ever-so-active Luath and Caesar. Past President Jamieson Greer was in good form with his theatrical Holy Willie’s Prayer, which proved popular with the

cronies. The principal speaker for this event was Barrmillian, Allister Anderson, now living in Inverkip. Allister is the son of Edward Anderson who was the club’s

founding secretary. He has impeccable credentials in the Burns world being a past president of Greenock Burns Club and a former secretary of the Burns

Federation and a sought-after speaker. Allister spent some time on a happy journey down memory way talking about the village of Barrmill and its folk of yesteryear

before taking the cronies on a interesting toast which saw him look back to Burns’ time in Kilmarnock and to his Ayrshire associations in general. All in all a very

appropriate and well received toast which saw him sit down to a well-deserved standing ovation. The vote of thanks to the orator was proposed by vice president

Tom Osborne, thanking the speaker for his tribute to the bard. The Toast to Barrmill Jolly Beggars Burns Club was proposed by a Kilbirnie Rosebery lad,

Jim Thompson, a regular at many Jolly Beggars celebrations.  Jim’s toast was well researched and he highlighted some of the characters in the Jolly Beggars

over 60 years making special mention of former president R W (Bob) Paterson, headmaster of Beith Primary and a very prominent Burnsian who was proud of

his membership of Barrmill Jolly Beggars. Jim also touched on the special connection which exists between the Jolly Beggars and the Rosebery Club. His speech

was light-hearted, yet very sincere and greatly appreciated by the cronies and received a well deserved standing ovation. The Toast to the Lassies was proposed by

another past president of Greenock Burns Club, David Fulton, who lives in Rashfield, by Dunoon. David is a well known speaker in Renfrewshire and Argyllshire.

He was in fine form with a very humorous toast and everyone thoroughly enjoyed his wit and humour which again saw the cronies on their feet to pay tribute to his

contribution. During the evening the cronies also enjoyed the excellent piping skills of Colin Murphy (15) who was a guest of cronie Norrie Brown. The accompanist

for the evening was Jim Walker and he also proposed the vote of thanks at the end of what proved to be a very memorable way of marking the 60^th annual celebration

of the club. The evening was brought to a close with the singing of the Star of Rabbie Burns and the international anthem of friendship, Auld Lang Syne. A special

commemorative booklet to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee, entitled Burns and Barrmill, has been compiled by past president and secretary, Donald L Reid, and

copies are now available for sale to the general public. It contains a look back in time to the Jolly Beggars of yesteryear and contains photographs and information

about people, places and events in the history of the club. As a special thank you from the club to the cronies attending the Diamond Jubilee Celebration, everyone

present received an inscribed whisky glass; inscribed paper-weight; miniature whisky inscribed with information about the Diamond Jubilee; a copy of the Diamond

Jubilee booklet; a bookmark and a commemorative personalized place setting. Those who took part in the evenings ongauns and the members of the committee, in

addition also received an inscribed commemorative medal as a memento of what proved to be a very special evening in the annals of  Barrmill Jolly Beggars. A

special word of thanks goes to all the committee members who worked so hard to make this event so very special. In addition, the generosity of the 88 who attended

was quite staggering with the fabulous raffle prizes raising £401. There are additional copies of the booklet, Barrmill and Burns, available from Donald Reid,

Norman M Henderson or any committee members, price £5. The next meeting of the Jolly Beggars is on Monday February, 9 at 7.30 pm in the Eglinton Inn when

 Iain D Shaw and Donald L Reid will give their illustrated talk entitled: Robert Service – Poet of the People. Members and visitors will be made most welcome.

CONCERTS

The Yorkhill Children's 'Magic Million Appeal' are working hard to provide a desperately needed new Intensive Care Unit to provide more space, more staff

and hi-tech equipment to help save the lives of ill children. The Gleniffer Singers fund-raise each year for a Charity. This is done by performing a concert usually

along with some other guests.  This particular concert will be held in Paisley Abbey on Friday May, 21 beginning at 7.30 pm. Make a note in your diary now, folks!

The other guest entertainers are the Greenock Silver Band.  Several Beithites are members of the Gleniffer Singers and they are keen to obtain local sponsors to support

this fund raising venture for Yorkhill. If you think you might be able to help contact the telephone number below. Beith Trinity Church Men's Fellowship have invited the choir

to perform a concert for them in Trinity Church Hall on Sunday February, 1 at 7.30 p.m. This is a fund-raising effort

for the Fellowship. It would be a chance for anyone interested in sponsoring Gleniffer Singers to hear a performance. For further information contact  0150550-2968.

CAN YOU HELP

Jean Duncan from a cold and snow-bound St Catherines, Canada, is looking to find out the whereabouts of David Paterson and family. He is apparently about

60 years of age and lives around the Beith area.  He has a wife Janet, a daughter Susan and a dog Shana. Jean Duncan receives a Christmas card from the

Duncan family every year, which apparently bears a Paisley post mark, but unfortunately they do not put a return address on the envelope. Jean sends kindest

regards from a bitterly cold and snowy St. Catharines and hopes that someone will be able to help identify the Paterson family and put her back in touch. Anyone

able to help is asked to contact the Beith correspondent who will pass on the information.

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

Bill Haining, Beith Branch of Ayrshire Cancer Support Group advises that last week he received an anonymous donation of £100 handed in to Billy’s of Beith. He

passes on his grateful thanks.

BOWLING CLUB

Beith Bowling Clubs Burns Supper this year will be held on the later date of Saturday 28th February 2004. A top class list of speakers have been engaged this year

with names including Alan Saunderson, a well known  after dinner speaker who this year is roposing the immortal memory, Ex Superintendent John Young, and

principal teacher of English at Garnock Academy, John Hodgart, a renowned speaker on the bard. Tickets are priced at £8.00 the same as last year. Any one interested please give their name to Brian Monk or any committee member. This years Annual Indoor game is on Sunday February, 22 again at Ardrossan Indoor Bowling Club. A sheet is on the notice board for members to append their name. The price is £14.00 which includes 4 hours bowling, a lunch and dinner. Closing date for names is Sunday February, 15.This years AGM is on Sunday February, 8 starting at 1.30pm. A good response from members would be greatly appreciated by the committee.

KARAOKE

Garnock United Boys Club are holding a fund raising Karaoke evening in Garnock Labour Club on Friday, February, 13 from 8.00 pm until 1.00 am with Jim Stirrat

providing the music and entertainment. This event will be of special interest to those who are particularly good at rattling the tonsils! There is a £25 prize for the best

singer on the evening. Jings, with the many great singers in the Garnock Valley, this event is bound to be a sell-out! Tickets are £3 from 682765 or simply turn up on the evening to support this local boys football club. 

GATESIDE RURAL

Gateside Rural held its first meeting of the New Year on 8 January in Patrick Memorial Hall. In spite of the inclement weather there was an excellent turnout of

members. After dealing with WRI business matters, president Catherine McCarter announced that unfortunately the speaker for the evening, Margaret Arthur of

Hearing Dogs for Deaf, was unable to attend. Instead the members took part in a quiz which was both enjoyable and taxing. The Marion Fulton Quaich for a flower

pot plant: 1^st Jean McIntyre; 2^nd Agnes Smith and 3^rd Effie Graham. The Rosebowl for a slice of cherry cakes was won by Agnes Smith. The meeting closed with

the singing of the National Anthem. The next meeting is on 5 February and this will be a members night.

AWARD GROUP

There was no meeting of Beith Open Award Group last week. This Sunday the group meet at usual at 7.00 pm until 8.30 pm for Duke of Edinburgh’s Award activities. All members who are due to receive awards at the forthcoming North Ayrshire Award Association presentations on Friday February, 20 at Cunnighame House, Irvine,should have received an invitation letter from North Ayrshire Council. Anyone who has not received a letter should contact Award leaders Donald Reid or Janet Osborne. A full list of those receiving awards will appear in the Herald’s Beith notes next week.

HAPPY CHAPPERS

The happy, snappy chappers are enjoying their hobby with more and more members joining the happy band. On Tuesday the chapping champ was Mr M McHardy with Mrs M Gardiner second and Mrs E Carson third. On Thursday the winner was Mrs A Smith with Mrs M Kennedy second and Mrs C Burns third. On Tuesday the card sharp champion was Mrs S Brennan with Mrs J Reid second and Mrs M Montgomery third. On Thursday the whist champion was Mrs M Montgomery with Mrs S Brennan second and Miss F McCreadie third. This happy group meet each Tuesday and Thursday in Beith Community Centre from 1.30 pm – 3.30 pm and new members will be warmly welcomed.

PLAYPARK GROUP

Beith Playpark Action group are delighted to announce that the Music Department of Garnock Academy have offered to hold a concert to help with fundraising efforts. This will take the form of a cheese and wine evening to be held in Beith Community Centre on Wednesday January, 28 at 7.30 pm. Those taking part will include the Senior Band, Jazz Band and various choirs. This looks sure to be an enjoyable evening for adults and children. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £3 concession and can be obtained from any committee member of the Playpark Action Group or from Cross Pharmacy. Last week the group received a welcome boost  when the Clydesdale Bank in Beith made a donation of £350 which will help to swell the coffers of the energetic committee as they continue their drive to raise sufficient funds to make their dream of a first class playpark facility become a reality. They have worked extremely hard over the last three years and are deserving of the support of everyone to help them achieve their goal. Marade Griffin, branch manager of the Beith Branch of the Clydesdale Bank said: “We are delighted to have been able to support this Beith based group and I look forward to the day when the playpark becomes a reality to benefit the children and young people of the town.”

COMMUNITY COUNCIL

The next meeting of Beith and District Community Council will be held in Beith Primary school at 7.15 pm on Thursday 29 January. Members of the public are

encouraged to attend.

THANK YOU

Well known Beithites April and James Smith of Bellman’s Close, pass on their grateful thanks to many friends and relatives who were an immense support during

the last few weeks when their son Connor (4½ yrs) was a patient at Yorkhill. They advise that Connor has been suffering from recurring problems for a long period of time,

but they now feel that following his stay at Yorkhill, the doctors are on the way to getting to the root of his health issue.

NURSING HOME    

The management and staff of Spiers Nursing Home to David Murphy (15) (accordian) and Kieran Binghan (9) (Pipes) of Saltcoats who recently entertained the

residents. They also pass on their grateful thanks to the many individuals and groups who provided first class entertainment for the residents over the festive period and

also for the many gifts received by residents and staff.

KARATE

Garnock Valley Karate Club meet every Monday in the Harriers Hall, Beith, from 7.00 pm until 9.00 pm. The club is the original Japanese Karate Association (JKA)

Shotokan Karate Club in the Garnock Valley. The club has been established in the valley for well over 35 years. It has been run by a 4^th Dan JKA instructor Sandy Kerr

who has more than 25 years continuous training with the top Japanese instructors. Sandy has had to keep up with many changes throughout this time and his continuous

dedication to the art of Shotokan makes him one of the best instructors in Shotokan karate in the area. Sandy is ably assisted by his JKA fully qualified team and the club

is fully insured through the Scottish Karate Board of Control. The local instructors are: Sandy Kerr, 4^th Dan; Steven Asbury, 1^st Dan; Andrew Everet, 2^nd Dan; Monty

Sneddon, 1^st Dan; and David Shannon, 1^st Dan. Anyone wishing further information about the club can contact Sandy Kerr on 01294-832316 or Steven Asbury on 01505-685299. Beginners classes start in January and new members will be given a warm welcome.

RANGERS CLUB

Beith Saracen Rangers Supporters Club are running a bus to Firhill for the game against Partick Thistle on Sunday, February 1 leaving Kilbirnie at 1.30 pm and Beith

at 1.45 pm. All name of those traveling to bus stewards by 29 January. Tickets for the Rangers Road show on Friday February, 20 have been sold out and a reserve list

is now open. You can add your name to this list by contacting David Raeside on 01505-504892 and Jim Reid on 01505-504548. Those who have booked tickets are reminded that tickets must be paid in full by the end of January, or they will be re-allocated to those on the waiting list.

CHOIR

The Cunninghame Choir is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary this year. The choir was founded in 1928 to peform choral works with professional soloists and

orchestra throughout North Ayrshire. Every five years they commission music by composers such as Philip Wilby, James McMillan and, this year, Robin Erskine.

Robin was born in Glasgow in 1943. After school in Kilwinning and Dumfries, he won the Organ Scholarship of Glasgow University. Since studying in France he has accompanied Glasgow University Choral Society and conducted the BBC Albion Singers. As staff music tutor for Renfrewshire, he has written music for the Divisional Orchestra, Brass Band music and Choir pieces. He has also received numerous commissions and has regularly broadcast on Radio 3. He is currently still teaching and is organist in Kilmacolm Old Kirk. The twenty-fifth anniversary culminates with the performance of the commission by Robin Erskine and the German Requiem by Brahams in Saint Margaret’s Church, Dalry, on May 8. The choir would be thrilled to see as large an audience as possible at this special performance.

BOWLING

Beith Bowling Club Members are advised that they can now pay their Annual Subscriptions by instalments on the last Friday in January, February and March, 2004

at the Club, when the Treasurer Brian Gemmell will be in attendance for this purpose. The balance of subscriptions have to be paid on or before opening day. For

further information members can contact the treasurer on 01505-502803.

POLICE SURGERIES

PC Jim Dougall and PC Sandy Brown will be holding police surgeries between
7pm-9pm on the following dates in Beith Police Office. Wednesday 25th February; Wednesday 24th March; Wednesday 21st April; and Wednesday 19th May. The

officers are keen that local folk take this opportunity to come along and raise any concerns they may have. Jim and Sandy can be contacted via Kilbirnie Police

Office on 01505 404400. Police in the Garnock Valley are requesting that householders  pay particular attention to home security following break-ins.  There seems

to have been some confusion with the recent change of telephone number at Kilbirnie Police Office. Inspector McLachlan asks that everyone takes note of the new

number which is 01505 404400. Write it down, folks. And finally, as dear old Constable George Dixon, of happy memory, said in that old worldly police series,

Dixon of Dock Green: “Evening all. Take care out there!”

JUDO

M-A-S Judo Club meet in the old Harriers Hut, Gateside Crossroads, Beith, each Tuesday from 6.30 pm – 9.00 pm. The premises have recently been fully

refurbished and brought up to a good standard. The club currently has fifteen members and new members will be made very welcome. Simply attend at the club or

contact the club coach, Steven Smith on 07944-658023 for further information.

NURSERY

Beith Community Centre Nursery are now taking registration for next term. Parents can register ante-pre-school children between 9.30 am and 10.30 am Monday,

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Immediate places are available for children aged 3 years. The group within the centre has been running for more than 25 years.

Throughout this time they have progressed and “moved with the times.” Indeed there will be many parents in Beith who themselves attended this nursery and in some cases their own children have gone through the same stimulating nursery programme. They are registered to provide nursery education as well as care for the children attending. The group works in partnership with the Care Commission and is inspected by HM Inspectors of Education.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

A Public Meeting is to be held in the coffee lounge of the Beith Community Centre on Sunday 1st February 2004 to ascertain the support for a proposal to establish

a museum in the former Townshouse. Doors will open at 2 pm and the meeting will commence at 2.15 p.m. Anyone interested in the social and industrial heritage of

the town is urged to attend this important meeting. The speaker for the Historical Society Burns Night meeting is not as per the syllabus. The speaker will be Frank

McCarrey of the Largs Cronies Burns Club.   The meal will start at 7.30 p.m. prompt. Tickets are £8.00, payable on the night.

BARRMILL

A ceildh is being held on Saturday February, 21 in the Barrmill community centre. Tickets are £5 and that includes a haggis supper. Music is provided by Willie Young

of Troon. Tickets from Jean Gilbert on 502521 or any committee member. This Sunday (25^th) is the monthly church service and this will be taken by Rev Fiona Ross

and begins at 6.00 pm.

GARNOCK SHARKS

Garnock Sharks Swimming Club have now resumed activities at Garnock Pool and meet every Tuesday evening for training. New members will be warmly welcomed.

SHOTAKAN

A new Shotaken Karate club will be opening up at the exciting new venture at Radio City, Kilbirnie on Thursday, 15 January 2004. The classes will run every Thursday

from 7.00 – 900 pm in the games hall. The instructor is Graham Guffie who is a third Dan with over 15 years experience. Adults and children over 7 years at all levels

will be made most welcome. For further details contact 01505-684181.

BOWLING

Beith Bowling Clubs Burns Supper this year will be held on the later date of Saturday February, 28. A top class list of speakers has been compiled this year with names

including  Alan Saunderson, a well renowned  after dinner speaker who this year is doing the toast to the Immortal Memory; Ex Superintendent John Young of Darvel,

and ex-School Teacher John Hodgart, a well known Burnsian. Tickets are priced at £8.00 the same as last year. Any one interested please give their name to Brian

Monk or any committee member.

MASONIC

Lodge Beith St John’s No 157 are holding their 40^th annual Burns Celebration in the Masonic Hall on Friday February, 6 at 6.45 pm for 7.00 pm. Ticket are £7 and

available from the bar at Beith Masonic Club.

PRIZE BINGO

A prize bingo is being held in the Chapel Hall at 7.30 pm on Thursday (29^th) with eyes down at 7.30 pm. Admission is 50p. All welcome.

MASONIC

On Thursday February, 5 at 7.00 pm there will be a meeting of Lodge Beith St John’s in the Masonic Hall when there will be two candidates for the Mark degree.

All brethren at invited to attend. On Tuesday, February, 17^th the lodge are holding a prize bingo night in the hall with eyes down at 7.30 pm. Admission is 50p which

includes tea. All monies raised will be donated The Lodge Millennium Fund.

YOUNG FARMERS

Beith & District Young Farmers’ Club are holding a Burns Supper and Ceilidh in Beith Community Centre on Saturday January, 31 at 7.00 pm. Tickets are priced

£5 and are available by contacting Julie on 01294 832262. Everyone is welcome! The next club meeting is the Junior Members Night on Monday February, 9 in the

Patrick Memorial Hall, Gateside at 7.30pm. Also the Young Farmers’ Whist Drive is happening on Thursday February, 12 in Beith Community Centre, starting at 7.30pm.

For further information about Club events please contact Julie or Gareth on 01294 832249.

1^ST BEITH BBs
There was an excellent turn out again this week.  Boys from the Junior Section were continuing with their badge work, which is progressing well, and this was followed by

a spell of P.E.  The Company Section boys are also continuing with badge work.  Members of the Junior and Company sections are reminded that there will be no

meeting for them on 6th February, instead they will be going 10 pin bowling on Saturday 7th February.

FELLOWSHIP
President John McGibbon welcomed a good turn out of members and ladies of the guild last Monday, and after a reading by JIm Paton introduced the speaker, Mr Bob

McKenzie.  Mr Mckenzie's subject was Kindertransport, a part of recent history that is not well known.  After Hitler's rise to power in Germany in 1933 persecution of the

Jewish people began, and by late 1938 50,00 Jewish had been imprisoned in concentration camps.  This much is well known, but what is less well known is that an

approach was made to the British Prime Minister to allow German Jewish children into Britain.  Thi was agreed, and in the space of 10 months 10,000 children arrived in

Britain, one of whom was Bob McKenzie.  Bob and his sister arrived in Selkirk in March 1939, unable to speak any english, and were subsequently moved to Forres,

where they were taken in by a family called McKenzie.  After school, Bob started work with a local electrical contractor, and later moved to Motherwell.  Both of his parents survived the war, and his father tried to persuade him to return to Germany, but he decided to stay in Britain, where he was married in 1952 inTrinity Church, Beith.  Since his parents lived in East Germany, travel was difficult for them, and because Bob was a government employee he was not allowed to travel to a communist country, although he did manage to visit his childhood home in 1991 after his retirement.  Bob then showed a video made for television explaining the Kindertramsport movement, and following questionsand answers, a vote of thanks was proposed by John McGibbon and the meeting closed. The next meeting will be a games night.

 

ANGLING
Intimations of the date of the A.G.M. of Beith St Inan’s Angling Club have now been sent out to members, and a good turn out is requested on 6th February.

Anyone wishing further information contact club president, Robert Jamieson.

CONTACT YOUR CORRESPONDENT

You can contact your correspondent on 01505-503801 or e-mail: donaldleesreid@hotmail.com. If you know of a good news story, why not share it with everyone else?

Items for inclusion each week should be in the hands of the correspondent by 10.00 pm each Sunday evening for inclusion in the next issue of the Herald. Obituary

tributes can also be arranged, but as this is a sensitive issue, families are asked to make contact the correspondent direct in the first instance.