The following information was recorded in the town’s newspaper of 29 July 1916.

A number of ladies in Beith and district at the invitation of Mrs Cochran-Patrick of Ladyland have lent their willing aid to secure the hay crop on Woodside meadows. Haymaking is at all time a laborious job, but in the torrid heat which prevailed on Friday and Saturday it became more trying. The ladies were in no way dismayed, however, and executed their work in a style which would have done credit to the veriest professional.

The egg despatch this week from Beith Academy and numbered 493. There will be no further collection at the Academy until September.

The Dux boy and gold medallist at Beith Academy was Hugh Dickson whilst the Dux girl and medallist was Margaret Jamieson.  The Dux of school at Gateside was Annie Hardie and the medallist was Mary Johnston.

At the meeting of governors at Spier’s School on Thursday, Rev I Grant Sutherland was reappointed chairman.

Speaking of perfect attendance school records, that of the family of Mr Andrew Crawford, baker, Beith, surely tops the list of any yet published. Six of Mr Crawford’s children have no fewer than 46 years of perfect attendance at Beith Academy, namely, Nellie 8 years; Agnes 8 years; Andrew 9 years; William 8 years; Jeannie 8 years and Maggie 9 years. The last two are still at school. These figures can be verified from that statistics provided by the headmaster,  Mr Foster.

The employees of John Muir & Son, Tanners, Beith, were extremely fortunate in selecting last Saturday for their annual holiday trip. It turned out to be the ideal day of the season and their destination was the Douglas Hotel, Brodick, Arran. They enjoyed the height of hospitality and a Highland welcome as of yore awaited them. After a sumptuous dinner the usual loyal toast were proposed and honoured. Mr Muir, the chairman, desired that a special tribute should be paid to the memory and genius of the late Lord Kitchener. He then proposed success to our Navy, Army and Allies, and confusion to our enemies within this realm or elsewhere.  James Anderson Esq JP ably responded. The following telegram which had been sent to Lloyd George was read: “Beith Tannery party again at Brodick tender our congratulations again on your acceptance of higher office (appointed Secretary of State for War). They confidently believe that the world will be ruled for the best.” The following reply was received and read: “Much appreciate your congratulations and encouraging message. Best wishes to all. Lloyd George.” The happy party then scattered to “gang their ain gates” all duly returning with “steady gait” to Beith Station at 7.00 pm.

Deep regret is felt in Bendingo, Australia, at the tragic death of Dr Hugh Boyd. Dr Boyd was attempting to adjust a defect in the fan in front of his motor car on 5 March, 1916, when the car started to move downhill, and, before he was aware of his dangerous predicament, he fell underneath and was pinned by the back axle. When the progess of the car was arrested by a sapling, our colleague was found wedged in between the ground and the axle, apparently lifeless. Hugh Boyd was a native of Scotland having been born in Beith. He studied medicine at Edinburgh and took his degree in 1863. After graduating he spent a year in Paris, where he continued his medical studies. The year 1865 was spent afloat and shortly after he came to Victoria where he entered into a partnership with his older brother, the late Dr James Boyd. In 1871 he took over the whole practice. During the fifty years of his professional life in Bendingo, Dr Boyd built up a reputation as enviable as it was well deserved. He was the type of what a general practitioner should be. Skilful, courteous, considerate and benevolent, he compelled the love of his patients and the respect of his neighbours. He brought hope and brightness into every home he visited. He leaves a widow, two sons and eight daughters. Dr Boyd was the son of the old carrier, James Boyd, who plied his trade between Beith and Glasgow before the Glasgow and South Western Railway Company partly monopolised the traffic. The old man resided in Wilson Street, and in the gold rush of the sixties (1860s), several of his sons emigrated to Australia.

Private James Brodie, third son of Mr John Brodie, cabinet manufacturer, Glasgow, and formerly of Beith, was killed in action on 15 July. He was 23 years of age.

Mr William Anderson, Wilson Street, has been notified by the War Records Office, that his son Private William Anderson, Highland Light Infantry, has been killed. Private Anderson, as we stated before, was reported missing.

Mr George Hynd, 15 Bridgend Street, Kilbirnie, whose son Private Robert Hynd, of the Canadian Highlanders, was officially given as killed in action, was last Thursday informed that he is a prisoners of war in Germany. The news has given unbounded pleasure and satisfaction.

The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, having recommended Friday 4 August, the second anniversary of the Declaration of War by Great Britain against Germany, to be observed as a day of “Humble Prayer, Intercession and Thanksgiving,” and, this day not being suitable for our congregation, the said service will be held on SUNDAY FIRST, 30 July at 12 noon, when suitable Devotions and Praise will be rendered and Discourse given. Rev I Grant Sutherland, MA.

The net proceeds from French Red Cross Flag Day in Beith amounted to £73-2s. This sum, together with £58-10s collected in Kilbirnie and Glengarnock has been forwarded to HQ by the secretary, Mr C B Ramsay. The prize winners in the cycle parade can now collect their prizes by calling at Mr Millar’s, Main Street.

On Wednesday, about noon, Mrs Gilroy was seized with illness whilst working at Roebank Works, where she was employed. She lay in an unconscious state until the afternoon when she passed away, notwithstanding that she received every medical attention.