ARDOSSAN & SALTCOATS HERALD
BEITH LOCAL NOTES
DONALD L REID: (Tel. 01505-503801 e-mail: donaldleesreid@hotmail.com)
SUNDAY 4 JANUARY 2003
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HEART OF BEITH: The recently completed Beith Cross photographed on New Years morning was the town’s good news story of 2003.
(Photo: Donald L Reid – SP)
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FESTIVE WINNER: Mrs Iris Anderson, Mains Road, Beith, won the 2003 Festive house competition for her outstanding Christmas decorations.
(Photo: Donald L Reid – SP)
NEWS ITEMS
FESTIVE FOLK
The judging recently took place last week of the festive displays in Beith and District. The best three displays were at the homes of Mrs Iris Anderson, Mains Road; Mrs Margaret Whiteman, Roebank Road and Mrs Angela Sloan of Lomond Crescent. All have received a nice bottle of wine and were delighted that their festive displays merited special mention. Roll on Christmas 2004! Interestingly, Mrs Iris Anderson had no less than 180 children viewing her garden and interior decorations during the festive period. The inside of her home has to be seen to be believed. Simply awe-inspiring! On display are the most sensational decorations in every part of the downstairs of her home which are simply breathtaking. She and her husband Andy have worked hard over the years to put on the most stylish and entertaining festive displays at their home. And it’s not only do locals enjoy these displays. Each year several regular visitors appear from Liverpool and Cardiff to see Beith’s famous festive display, on route to north of Scotland holiday destinations. All the children are also given a small present by Mr and Mrs Anderson who take tremendous satisfaction from seeing the children enjoy themselves as they are given a tour and demonstration of Beith’s very own Christmas wonderland. Andy Anderson begins preparations for the display at the beginning of November each year and it is a major exercise checking that all the various electrical displays are in working order and maintained during the festivities. The Anderson’s have mounted this display for almost forty years, but it has grown enormously over the past 15 years. They still have many of the original decorations and each year friends donate other items to add to their extensive collection. Needless to say Andy and Iris are already planning their display for Christmas 2004.
BURNS SUPPER
Barrmill Jolly Beggars Burns Club are holding their diamond jubilee Burns Supper on Friday January 23 in Beith Masonic Hall at 7.00 pm prompt. This is the 60th annual celebration held by the club which was founded in the village of Barrmill in 1944. The principal speaker is Barrmillian, Alistair Anderson, the son of Edward Anderson who was the club’s founding secretary. The Toast to Barrmill Jolly Beggars Burns Club will be proposed by Jim Thomson of Kilbirnie Rosebery Club. Tickets for this historic celebration cost £10 and are now available from secretary Donald Reid or President Norman Henderson or any committee member. A short committee meeting of the Jolly Beggars will be held in the Eglinton Inn on Monday January, 5 at 7.30 pm to finalise arrangements for the Burns Supper.
PHOTO CAPTION
The photograph shown on the Beith page last week with children and young people at Spiers Nursing Home was in fact Thistleknowe Nursing Home. Well spotted! Happy to set the record straight.
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.
SPEAKERS GROUP
Beith Speakers and Writers Group have been working hard over the last year compiling a photographic record of Beith of yesterday and today. There is currently a display of photographs in Beith Library. Space for the display is limited, but it is hoped that it can be updated if space is available. For example, they have a record of over 250 photographs of Beith Cross from the outset of the restoration work to its completion. Locals are encouraged to drop in to the library during normal opening hours to view the display.
CANCER SUPPORT
Bill Haining, organiser, Beith branch, Ayrshire Cancer Support Group, advises that the group received a donation of £420 from a popular local couple, who wish to remain anonymous, who recently celebrated their gold wedding. He passes on his grateful thanks. The Saracen Hotel recently held a raffle for a cuddly toy which was donated and this resulted in £82 being raised which was donated to the Beith group. An anonymous donation of £5 was handed in to Billy’s of Beith last week. The group are grateful for all donations received which go directly to patient care and support. The annual Valentine supper dance is being held in Beith Community Centre on Friday February, 6 at 7.30 pm. Tickets price £7 are available from Billy on 502671.
MASONIC CLUB
Tomorrow (Saturday), popular band Saltire will be appearing at Beith Masonic Club from 8.00 pm till late. There will be the usual bingo and raffle.
KARATE
Garnock Valley Karate Club resumes this week after the Christmas break. Classes start on Monday January, 12 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 4th 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, 4th Dan; Steven Asbury, 1st Dan; Andrew Everet, 2nd Dan; Monty Sneddon, 1st Dan; and David Shannon, 1st 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.
BBs
All sections of 1st Beith BB will resume normal activities tonight
(Friday January, 9) at the usual times.
RANGERS CLUB
Beith Saracen Rangers Supporters Club ran their annual Derek Knox memorial competition for pool, darts and dominoes in the Masonic Arms last Sunday afternoon when there was a good turnout of members. The winners were: dominoes, Sammy Knox; pool, John Steele; and darts Kim Povah. David Raeside, organizer, passes on his thanks to everyone for attending and taking part and trusts that they all had an enjoyable day. Also, a special thanks to Maurice and Carol, of the Masonic Arms, for their generosity and hospitality. The club are running a bus to Easter Road on Saturday, January, 10 for the game against Hibs. The bus leaves Kilbirnie at 8.45 am and Beith at 9.00 am. Names to bus stewards before 8 January at 9.00 pm to guarantee a seat. Tickets for the Rangers Road show Friday, 20 February 2004 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. The Christmas raffle was drawn last week and the star prize was won by Michael Packman. Second prize went to Alan Ferguson and third to David Raeside. Other prize winners will receive their prizes in due course. The club would like to thank all those who sold and purchased tickets.
JANEFIELD CLUB
Janefield MAP club meet in Beith Community Centre from 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm each Thursday. The club aims to attract people who have mental and physical disabilities who are on the lookout for something interesting and positive to do in an environment which is supportive and welcoming. For further information about the club contact Karen Provan on 01505-503314 or Anna Gibson on 01505-503685 or drop in on a Thursday evening.
BEITH HARRIERS
Beith Harriers held their annual New Year Races on 2nd January 2004 at Kilbirnie. A total of 51 men and 4 women took part in the 4.8 mile race. The overall winner was Jamie Reid of Ronhill Cambuslang in a time of 23.06 mins, followed by Eddie Tonner of JW Kilmarnock, then Lee Richardson of Irvine AC. Brian Craig, also of Irvine AC, was first Male Veteran (over age 40) to finish, David Adams of Hamilton first Male Veteran over 50, Marco Cecchini of Troon Tortoises first over 60 and Owen Light of Troon Tortoises first over 70. Calum Morrison of Kilbarchan AC was first U/20 man. Robin Boyd was the first Beith Harrier. The Women’s Race was won by Claire Gibson of Kilbarchan AC in a time of 27.51.In the children’s races Beith Harriers members did very well. In the U/11 boys Graham Evans was 1st, Sam Harkness 3rd and Frazer Keil 5th, while in the U/11 girls Hannah Boyd was 1st. Ian McNaughton, Colin Evans and Lee Thomson were 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the U/13 boys race and the girls U/13 winner was Ainsley Black of Inverclyde. Stephen McGoldrick of Kilbarchan AC and Beith was 3rd and Scott Keil 5th in the boys U/15 category. The girls u/15 winner was Kirsty Reid of Kilbarchan. The U/17 winners were Stephen Trainer of Greenock Glenpark and Tracey Smith of Giffnock North. Many thanks to all who competed and all who helped out on the day. On Sunday 4th January the second Indoor League meeting at the Kelvin Hall with the Beith Harriers youngsters turning out again to take part. Numbers were a bit depleted, but all who did attend worked hard to gain league points for the Club. Hannah Boyd, the only member of our U/13 girls team did well in the long jump and 60m and also ran an excellent first 200m. In the U/13 boys team Lee Thomson did well, representing the club in the shot putt and 800m while Sam Harkness turned out good performances in both the 200m, 300m and long jump. Graham Evans, also U/13, took part in the high jump and 800m and put in a good performance in his first attempt at 60m hurdles. The U/15 boys were 6th equal after the first league match despite only having 2 representatives, and again did well. Cameron Clark gained valuable points in the 60m and 200m sprints and finished in 2nd place in his first triple jump competition. Colin Evans did well in the shot put and was 2nd in the high jump. All in all a great start to 2004 by the speedy Beithites.
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.
BURNS SUPPER
The Gateside Hall Committee are holding a Burns Supper/Ceilidh in the Gateside Hall on Saturday January, 24 at 7.00pm for 7.30pm. A supper of haggis, neeps and tatties will be served. No bar provided, bring your own bottle. Tickets £8 per person, contact Jane Marshall on 504556.
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.
COURSES
North Ayrshire Council Educational Services are holding a variety of interesting courses in all three Valley towns beginning early in January. The courses include computing, information technology, word processing, cooking, confidence building, personal development, first aid, community health issues and food hygiene. The venues for these courses are St Bridget’s Primary School, Kilbirnie; Longbar Community Centre; Dalry Community Centre and Beith Community Centre. The courses begin on the week commencing 12 January 2004. There are two courses being held in Beith Commuity Centre. The first is Community Health Issues which commences on Tuesday 13 January from 1.00 pm – 3.00 pmm and Food Hygiene which begins on Thursday, 15 January from 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm. All classes are free of charge and crèche childcare facilities will be provided. Details of all classes being held in the Garnock Valley are available on flyers obtainable in the local libraries or for fuller details please contact Agnes Reid, Community Learning and Development Office, 19 Brahead, Dalry Tel: 01294-833173 or visit the North Ayrshire web site at: www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk.
MAGAZINE
The Kilbirnie Youth Project is open to all young people from age 12 – 25 years living in the Garnock Valley. The group is actively seeking young people from Beith and district to make greater use of this facility. The youth project is situated in the basement of the Walker Hall, Main Street, Kilbirnie. Facilities include a café/bar with healthy foods and non-alcoholic drinks as well as a pool table, air hockey and a variety of activities for young people. The facility is staffed by North Ayrshire Council youth workers who will welcome all comers, especially new members. The project is open five days per week, except Friday and Saturday, during school term time and offers a number of services from advice and activities to providing a place to meet and chat with friends. The Garnock Valley Youth Forum are looking for young people aged 12 – 18 years to take part in the new Youth Voice Magazine. Anyone who wants to get involved in producing this magazine for young folk by young folk is asked to drop into Youthzone which is held in the Walker Hall, Kilbirnie on Monday nights from 7.00 – 9.00 pm. For further information about the range and variety of facilities available to young people in the Garnock Valley based at the Walker Hall, Kilbirnie contact Educational Services on 01294 833759 or better still why not drop in and speak to the youth workers and meet some of those who currently use and enjoy the facilities on offer.
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.
FOOTBALL
Beith’s budding footballers are advised that North Ayrshire Leisure are holding a football training sessions at Meadowside every Friday evening from 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm. This is aimed at youngsters aged 12 – 15 years (secondary 1 – 3 pupils). Admission to the scheme is free and anyone wishing to improve their footballing skills will find this course very beneficial. For further information simply attend at Meadowside Pavilion at the times shown or contact Craig Hamilton, North Ayrshire Leisure on 01294-317456 for further information.
THANKS
You can contact your correspondent on 01505-503801 or e-mail: donaldleesreid@hotmail.com.
