ARDROSSAN & SALTCOATS HERALD
BEITH LOCAL NOTES
DONALD L REID
(Tel. 01505-503801 e-mail: donaldleesreid@hotmail.com)
SUNDAY 29 JUNE 2003
PHOTOS AS JPEG ATTACHMENTS
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BOWLING CHAMPS: Charlie Smith, Jacqi Shanaghey, Anne McCorquodale (sponsor of SC Jamieson Trophy), Fiona Purves and Brian Smith. Fiona and Brian lifted the SC Jamieson Trophy in a closely contested two bowls final.
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ARE YOU THERE: Beith postie, Tom Johnston retired last week after 38 years delivering letters. Tom is a medium in the Spiritualist Church and intends to continue with this work.
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GIVE US YUR DOSH: This might be what Father John Kinsler and his hard working band of volunteers could be saying as they pose for a photograph at the table top sale in the chapel hall last Saturday.
BEITH LOCAL NOTES
RETIRING POSTIE
Tom Johnston is a postman with a difference. He has ESP or extra-sensory perception or put simply in his own terms, he is a medium in the Spiritualist Church. But more importantly, Tom retired last Saturday (28 June) after 38 years of delivering letters. Tom, who has been married to Isobel for 37 years, lives in Beith’s Ash Drive. Isobel is the daughter of well known Beith butcher, the late Patrick Hampson, who took over the Main Street butcher business from Willie Young. Tom began his career as a postman in Ayr in 1965 and after one year there and another year in Prestwick, he arrived in Beith in 1967. He received long service awards from the Post Office after 20, 25 and 35 years service. He has served in all districts and latterly was on a rural district where he delivered letters to the outlying district in a van. Tom enjoys the outdoor life and from his duties and memories of being a postman he will not miss aggressive dogs and cats and driving in the snow. Interestingly, Tom is a practising Spiritualist which is a recognised Church. In his role as a medium he is able to provide evidence to individuals of contact with folk from the past who have passed on. He is in great demand for his medium skills and travels extensively to Spiritualist churches throughout Scotland. Everyone will join in wish Tom and Isobel great happiness in retirement.
GRAVE MYSTERY
A quick update about the piece in the Beith local notes in the Herald last week about Private Malcolm Bell, No 463235 of the 29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry who died on 6 November 1917 aged 24 years, who is buried in Beith Cemetery. Further information reveals that this Beith man whose family resided in New Street was a pupil at Spiers School and indeed is listed on the school war memorial. Thank you to Robert F Clark of Beith for that additional information. In the lookback in time which regularly appears in the Beith notes, it is quite humbling and sobering to see the large number of servicemen from the Garnock Valley who made the ultimate sacrifice, with many others sustaining serious injury in the battlefields of the First World War.
GOLF SUCCESS
Beith golfers have been making a name for themselves of late at Lochwinnoch. Scott Sheriden of De Morville Place was the gents Championships at Lochwinnoch last week and Len McDonald (17) of Balfour Avenue won the junior championships. See Beith, see guid golfers!
FORTHCOMING BOOK
A new limited edition book entitled, Beith Bygones – A Pictorial Journey Down Memory Lane, by Donald L Reid will be published towards the end of August. The book is dedicated to the memory of Sheila Pearson (1950 – 2002), a very popular Beithite. The rough proofs of the book have now been received from the typesetter for minor amendment and it is on schedule for delivery towards the middle of August. The book contains a great mixture of old a new photographs of people, places and events pertaining to Beith and District including many photographs which are published for the first time. Anyone wishing to reserve a copy of the book, which is limited to 1,000 copies and price £7-50, is asked to contact Donald L Reid on 503801 or E: donaldleesreid@hotmail.com. Those who reserve a copy and who reside in the Garnock Valley will have an advance copy of the book delivered to them at a reduced price before it goes on general sale. All funds raised from royalties arising from the sale of this book, which honours the memory of Beith’s best known citizens,Sheila Pearson, will benefit the Henry Faulds Society with a donation to Beith and Gateside Primary Schools.
PLAYPARK GROUP
Beith Playpark Action Group are holding a pianathon/coffee morning on Thursday 23 July in Beith Community Centre from 10.00 am – 2.00 pm. You can enjoy a coffee and chat whilst listening to some of Beith’s finest young musicians. Pianists can also be sponsored, so be ready to dig deep to help the hardworking Playpark Action Group deliver state-of-the-art play park in Beith.
LADY BOWLERS
Last Wednesday afternoon the ladies of Beith Bowling Club enjoyed their weekly wappenschaw in good weather conditions. Twenty-two ladies took part in a friendly competition and the winners were the rink skipped by Jean Wilson assisted by Anne Johnstone (lead) and Lilly Clark (second). Prizes were kindly donated by club stalwart member, Mrs Ella Marr.
CHRISTIAN ACTION GROUP
Last Tuesday Beith Christian Action Group held their annual dinner in the Dalry Inn. The large company of volunteer workers and the organising committee enjoyed a first class meal. Afterwards they were entertained by Dr Wilma Rooney, a very polished singer, who gave a quite inspirational rendition of a number of favourite songs from the shows which held everyone spellbound. Wilma is the daughter of Bill and Betty Gemmill and is a member of several choirs and a sought-after soloist. The evening was chaired by Rev Fiona Ross and a comprehensive vote of thanks was given by Mrs Rae Hutchinson. The ladies of the Beith Christian Action Thrift shop provide a year round service to the local community, which is quite invaluable. The Main Street shop provides a huge range of items for sale at exceptional value for money. Everyone will join in thanking the lady volunteers and the hard working organising committee for the community service they provide to the people of Beith and district. All the money raised is each year is disbursed within the community and benefits a myriad of groups and organisations.
BEITH JUNIORS
The dedicated group of ‘golden-oldie’ Beith volunteers continue beavering away at Bellsdale Park to ensure that the playing surface and facilities for supporters are greatly improved for the coming season. Word has it that one of the more recent younger band of volunteers, aged 62, has been put on the Bellsdale Youth Opportunities Programme, such is the age of the other volunteers. The reader will quickly get the drift of the fun and fellowship which is involved in working with this bunch. It is also announced that the merry band are looking for further apprentices to help with the project and you don’t necessarily have to be over sixty to volunteer. Mind you, to keep up with the constant banter, age and experience are distinct advantages. The park is looking in great shape and the terracing work and improvements to the shelters is first class and a great tribute to the new breed of ancient but happy Beith volunteers. Well done everyone down Bellsdale Way.
GAS WORK
At long last the long awaited work is now underway to install a new water pipe line at Gateside Crossroads on Beith bypass. This work has to be undertaken before work major roadworks commence to build at roundabout at this problematic junction. This work will involve road diversions at some stage in the coming weeks, so drive carefully on the bypass.
END TO END
Brian Smith of Beith is still training hard before taking on a challenging charitable cycle ride from John o’ Groats to Lands End. The pedalling policeman sets off this Saturday (5th) and finishes on 23 July. Policeman Brian, who lives in Beith’s Crummock Gardens, has been training hard for his ambitious trip which includes stopping in Beith on route. He aims to raise funds for Beith Cancer Support Group and sponsor forms are now available in a number of shops in the town and in the library and donations are flooding in. This seems to be a very special way of raising funds. Unusually for such a demanding trip in the height of summer, Brian will do this trip entirely under his own steam as he has no support team and has almost two week of powerful pedalling to achieve his objective. This is a first class event which is worthy of the support of everyone locally and Brian’s efforts will benefit local cancer patients under the Auspices of Ayrshire Cancer Support Group. Last week Brian, who has just over 23 years police service, had a special honour bestowed when he attended Strathclyde Police Awards Ceremony where he received his Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal from Chief Constable William Rae, QPM. Well done, Brian.
TABLE TOP SALE
Last Saturday Our Lady’s Church are held a table top sale in the chapel hall where there was a good level of support from the public who enjoyed the usual interesting variety of stalls. Father John Kinsler, the Parish Priest was present and in great form, thoroughly enjoying a crack with locals.
TOKENS
Calling all choco-holics. Stand by your beds with chocolate bar at the ready and listen carefully. Beith Primary School are collecting Cadbury’s tokens which will hopefully enable the school to get some much needed sports equipment. Please collect tokens and hand them in to the school or to Beith Co-op who have kindly agreed to assist the school. Right folks, everyone get munching and don’t worry about those calories. Think of the great sporting equipment that will benefit the ever-so-fit weans of Beith Primary. On your marks, get ready, go for the chocolate!
BROADBAND
Locals are reminded that Allan Wilson MSP has recently written to BT Scotland with regards to the installation of broadband in the telephone exchanges in Beith, Dalry and Kilbirnie. He is keen to encourage them to install the broadband facility in all areas of the Garnock Valley as soon as possible. Broadband brings very real benefits for the business and commercial sector as well as for the home PC user. Locals who are linked to the web can help achieve broadband by recording their interest on: www.bt.com/btbroadband/register. It is emphasised that individuals are not tied to taking broadband when they register, but once sufficient people have registered BT Scotland will install broadband facilities in the local exchange. Everyone who registers will help ensure that broadband is made available, so if you are on-line help make broadband available in the Garnock Valley.
STRATHCLYDE POLICE
There will be no place to hiding for baddies with outstanding warrants in the Garnock Valley now or in the weeks to come. Strathclyde Police this week continue their warrants initiative aimed at targeting people who are wanted on warrant for crime and failure to pay fines. Already several folk who have been wanted on warrant had been nabbed by the local polis. The warrants to be enforced can range from people who are wanted for committing very serious crimes to those who may have simply forgotten to pay a fine for a variety of less serious issues such as parking or other minor offences. Commenting on the initiative as it pertains to the Garnock Valley, Inspector Kenny McLachlan of Kilbirnie Police said: “All officers in the Garnock Valley will vigorously pursue this initiative and I would encourage local people who know that there are outstanding arrest warrants to voluntarily surrender themselves at Kilbirnie Police Station or to any on duty officer or face being apprehended. This initiative will be enforced in addition to normal policing activities and I am confident that we will impact positively on a number of outstanding warrants in the local area. This initiative is actively supported by the Procurator Fiscal Service and the Courts and it will have a positive impact on crime and disorder in the Garnock Valley.”
CREAM TEAS
Last Sunday Barrmill was choc-a-block with cars as folk from Beith and District descended on the village hall to enjoy the mouth-watering cream teas. Jean Gilbert, affectionately known the world over simply as ‘Wee Jean’ was on hand to oversee her dedicated team of volunteers and from all reports everyone seems to have enjoyed a first class afternoon in sweltering weather conditions. Congratulations to Jean and her happy band of Barrmillians for putting on a great spread. Around £386 was raised for the funds of the community centre. Jean and the committee pass on their thanks to all concerned for their support and donations. The next activity in Barrmill is the judging of the best kept garden which will take place between 2nd week in July and the second week in August. The presentation to winners will take place in the community centre on 14 August at 7.30 pm.
GEILSLAND SCHOOL
Last Wednesday Geilsland School held their end-of-term prize giving and church service in Millport Chapel within the school grounds. Proceedings were overseen by Mr Ranald Mair and prizes were presented to a large number of boys by Mr Ian Manson, Director of the Church of Scotland Board of Social Responsibility. The service was led by Rev Andrew Black and Rev Fiona Ross. Pupils, guests, families of the boys, and staff enjoyed a first class buffet lunch on the lawn in wonderful sunshine conditions.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD
Tomorrow (Saturday) all roads lead to Auld Reekie as thirteen members of Beith Open Award Group at Beith High linked with Trinity travel to the capital to received their gold level Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Certificate from HRH Prince Philip. The young folk concerned are Allison Balmer, Eileen Cockburn, Jenni Denovan, Vicky Hood, Scott Menzies, Fiona Irvwin, Alan Walker, Alstair Murdoch, Jennifer Harkins, Suzanne Ross, Kirstin Wilkes, Joanne Millar and Nicola Smith. Scott Menzies is a Second Lieutenant in REME and is currently serving in Iraq.
CANCER SUPPORT
Bill Haining, Beith Branch, Ayrshire Cancer Support Group, reports that the summer draw ticket sales at Beith Co-op last week rasied £577-08 and he passes on his thanks to the Co-op staff and customers for their support. At the funeral of the late Tom Shields, the retiring offering amounted to £153-60 which was donated by the family to the Beith branch. £4-71 in coppers was handed in and gratefully received at Billy’s of Beith and they also acknowledge receipt of £40 from two grateful patients. For further information about Beith Cancer Support Group contact Bill or Moira on 01505-502671 or drop into Billy’s of Beith where Lorna will be pleased to help.
PLAYGROUP
Beith Community Centre Playgroup meet every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.30 am – 11.45 am in Beith Community Centre. Registrations are now being taken for the new session which begins in August 2003. Children aged 2 ½ – 5 years will be made most welcome. Contact Ellan on 506403 for further information.
MARATHON
Nilkla Jacobson of Beith, a nursery mum at Kids R Us, has offered to raise sponsorship via the Glasgow half marathon to be held on 7 September. Anyone wishing to sponsor Nikla can do so by using sponsor sheets either in Cross Pharmacy or Arabica Café or by phone committee member Audrey on 506320, Joyce on 503459. All funds raised will be donated to Beith Playpark Action Group.
BEITH BOWLING CLUB
The intrepid Beith Bowlers headed for Ardrossan BC, last week where Past President John Simpson, Duncan Meldrum and Willie Smith played in a triples competition sponsored by Ian Macleod & Co Ltd. Isle of Skye Scotch Whisky. The Beith lads failed to reach the prize list, but needless to say had a tremendous days bowling. The over all winner for the second year running was a triples from Auchinleck. Beith narrowly lost the league on last Monday night against the iron men from Glengarnock BC who stole the game by 5 shots, giving Glengarnock 8 points to Beith’s 6. Due to the extreme bad weather conditions on Friday the 27th June both the youth coaching and the mixed Wapinschaw had to be cancelled. The youngsters are reminded that a coaching sessions will take place on Friday afternoons at 2pm during the school holidays, weather permitting. Ayrshire Bowling Association Mixed pairs preliminaries was won by Jacque Shanaghey and Charlie Thomson from Beith BC, against two very good players from Saltcoats BC. We wish them well as they progress to the next round.
ROAD REPAIRS
Councillor Jean Highgate has placed a book in Beith Library where locals are invited to record details of road deficiencies such as pot holes in roads in Beith and District and Councillor Highgate and Councillor Ian Richardson will take it upon themselves to report these to the Roads Department.
2nd BEITH GUIDES
Recently 2nd Beith Guides spent an adventurous weekend at Dolphin house House in Culzean Country Park. They visited the castle and explored parts not usually seen by the public. They also travelled the Treetop walk seeing the flora and fauna from a whole new angle. Archery, orienteering, and the climbing wall stretched the girls, while the Beach Ramble challanged the girls and leaders to the utmost as they had to clamber over rocks to reach the haunted caves below the castle. In the evenings the staff gave them tough challanges to encourage team building skills. The girls found these great fun. On the last night they enjoyed a barbeque and disco. They returned home tired, but happy and with more badges to add to add to their growing collection.
BOWLING
The S C Jamieson trophy was contested at Beith Bowling Club last Saturday in terrific weather conditions, which left everyone pretty well sunburned. The winners were Brian Monk and Fiona Purves. The runners-up were Charlie Thomson and J Shanaghey. The wonderful weather meant that everyone had a great day of bowling and no doubt everyone had a quite think about the inimitable S C ‘Simey’ Jamieson, now 97, who is resident in Thistleknowe Home, and one of Beith’s best known citizens, who was unable to be present. Mrs Anne McCorquodale, who donated and presented the prizes, was thanked for yet again hosting this competition by club president Charlie Fairns.
KESTREL BADMINTON
The results of the annual competitions for the Kestrel Badminton Club have been held over until next week.
PRIZES
Last week the head teachers of Beith and Gateside
Primary School presented book tokens to local children who took part in the
competition to come up with an appropriate name for Beith’s Safety Magazine,
later called the Beith Gazette. The winner was Scott Gillan of Gurlston Farm who
received a £10 voucher and £5 vouchers were presented to Magan Reid of Gateside;
Donald Graham of North Biggart Farm, Beith; Erin Shepherd of Crummock Street;
Amanda Reid of Hawthorn Crescent; Rachel Shepherd of Lomond Crescent; Nicole
Elliott of Wilson Street; Blair McMaster of Cuff Crescent and Claire Blackburn
of Lomond Crescent. Congratulations to all the above and a special thank you
from Beith and District
Community Council; Beith Open Award Group and Barrmill Community Association,
the join partners responsible for the magazine.
TRACING FAMILY TREE
Neolene Lawson who lives ion the Hibiscus Coast, Whangaparaoa, New Zealand is trying to trace her family tree and has contacted the Beith correspondent by e-mail. Her family of Hunters were apparently born in Beith and she is keen to find out if any local members of the Hunter family can assist. Her great great grandfather, Robert Hunter was born circa 1819 in Beith. Robert Hunter married Janet Lyle and when the 1851 census was published they and their family were then living at 16 Gibson Street, Glasgow and Robert was a baker to trade. Robert died on 20 July 1860 at 1 Anderson Street, Kinning Park, Glasgow. Anyone who might be able to assist Neolene can contact her by e-mail: noelenelawson@extra.co.nz or contact the Beith correspondent.
MOD CLUB
The weather was more than a little unkind last Friday evening when Beith MOD Police Club decided to hold a BBQ and Karaoke night. Jings, what are things coming to when the constabulary can’t even arrange decent weather for their planned outdoor social events! A slight change of plans ensured that the event was a great success indoors despite the weather being pretty disappointing with the rain pelting down. After enjoying some Fred Flinstone burgers the revellers danced the night away having great fun.
SWIMMERS WANTED
Cunningham Action Club runs swimming sessions for young folk with disabilities each Saturday morning at Garnock Pool, Kilbirnie, from 12 noon until 2.00 pm. They are on the lookout for anyone 16 years and over who is a competent swimmer. This is a great way of giving service to the community. For further information drop in at the pool or phone 01505-683304 for further information.
BEITH SAFETY GAZETTE
The leaders and young folk at the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Group are fair wabbit having just finished delivering the Beith Safety Gazette to 3,200 houses in Beith and District. A number of public-spirited adults assisted and a special word of thanks is due to Mr and Mrs John Darroch, Marie Jennings, Alex McNeil, John Simpson and Jimmy Muir. Never before have so few sweated so profusely to deliver magazines to so many! The last batches of the Gazette were received from the printer last week and all have now been delivered. Members of the public are advised to read it carefully as they will be asked questions! Already there has been some excellent feedback about the value of a magazine dedicated in the main to safety issues. A letter of congratulations to the magazine partners, Beith and District Community Council, Beith Open Award Group and Barrmill Community Assocation, was received this week from our Member of Parliament, Mr Brian Wilson, who was delighted at the magazine and the range of interesting articles which it contained. Receiving feedback from the public is important as this allows a critical evaluation to be made of the benefit of carrying out such major projects. Copies of the magazine are also available in Beith Library, but most homes in the Beith and District should now have a copy delivered already. Those homes, which may not have received a magazine deliverd, might fall into the following categories. Homes where there is a controlled entry system, where dogs were in the garden or barking loudly from a house, those with dodgy letter boxes, those where gardens were so overgrown that young people may not have felt safe entering same and those where gates were locked or barred. Because young folk were involved in delivering magazines a strict risk assessment had to be applied. So, if you have any views about the magazine or what might be included in future editions, or indeed what other sort of projects might usefully be undertaken in a partnership approach, please drop a note to the Safety Gazette editor or leave your comments are Beith Library where they will be uplifted.
BEITH TRINITY CHURCH PLAYGROUP
Beith Trinity Church Playgroup are now taking registrations now for session 2003-2004. The Playgroup is staffed and managed by qualified and highly experienced personnel and works in partnership with North Ayrshire Council and offers funded places for 3 – 5 year olds. Places are also available for children from 2 years on a pay-as-you-go basis. Recent fund raising and lottery awards means that the group will benefit from over £3,000 worth of new equipment which will greatly enhance the presentation of learning experiences within the play setting. For more information why no drop into Trinity Church Hall on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday between 9.15 am and 12 noon and have a chat with play leaders Lesley, Sharon and Jane or call the chairperson, Lyn Brown on 01505-506135.
DISABILITY FORUM
Garnock Disability Forum met last week in Bridgend Communty Centre with Willie Waite in the chair. After dealing with business matters he introduced Kenny Milne of Ardrossan, himself disabled, who gave a fascinating talk and demonstration on how to fill a hanging basket. Forum members are reminded that the meeting on 30 July takes the form of a barge trip to Kirkintilloch. The weekend holiday to Blackpool will be held from 10 – 13 October. Anyone requiring further information contact forum secretary, Jean Gilbert on 01505-502521.
GREENHILLS RURAL
Greenhills Rural members send all good wishes to Janet Lamont who is in hospital in Crosshouse.
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.
