The following information was recorded in the town’s newspaper of 17 June 1916

The laird of Gatend, Mr George Shedden, with his daughter, paid a visit to the ancestral estate on Monday, along with Mr Archibald Bell, solicitor.

In the garage of Thomas Herbertson, motor and cycle agent, Mitchell Street, Beith, agent for the famous Ford car, had on sale a two-seater runaround (£125), van (£130), five-seater touring car (£135) and a Landaulette car (£185). All prices ex works, Manchester.

There died on Monday in Wardrop Street, Beith, the oldest person in the parish in the person of Jeannie Hamilton, a native of the town who had reached the great age of 98 years. She was married three times. Her first husband was Samuel Knox, by whom she had three sons, Samuel, Hugh and an other – all gone. Her second husband was Charles McCluskie, who lived in Bunswynd (Reform Street), and a son of that union, John, resides in Glasgow. Her third husband was Sergeant Pollock, a pensioner with long service in the army who lived in Lochwinnoch, and died there some years ago. On being left a widow for the third time she came back to her native town to reside. The old lady was able to move about until quite recently and enjoyed having a crack with old acquaintances, although she had outlives all the friends of her youth. She had a most retentive memory, and could recall incidents which happened when she was quite a little girl. For instance, she remembered the year of the short corn in 1826 following a long drought and the winter of the same year when a great snowstorm held the country in its grip for a long time. In that snowstorm Baillie’s horse was smoored in a drift at Roebank Toll. Baillie was the carrier between Beith and Glasgow in those days, and as a girl of eight she recollected the great sensation created at the time by this incident. The venerable lady had other stories to tell of important events in her long life, all very interesting and told with a detail and intelligence which was quite wonderful in a woman of her age. She was interred on Thursday in Lochwinnoch, beside those of her soldier husband, Sergeant Pollock.

Waverly Cottage, High Street, Beith (later Dalry road), which belonged to the late Mrs Glasgow, was sold in Faculty Hall, Glasgow, on Wednesday, to Mr Duncan Fisher, warehouseman, Langside, Glasgow, for £232. Messrs A G Love were the agents for the trustees.

At the request of the Minister of Munitions, to allow the speeding up of war material, the working classes of the country have patriotically set aside selfish interests and consented to postpone their holidays till la more convenient season. Glasgow Fair holidays have therefore been fixed to begin the second week of August, instead of mid July, and other towns in Scotland have made changes to their holiday dates.

Hamilfield Church scholars enjoyed their summer outing to Bigholm Farm on Saturday, the weather being very fine. There were bounteous supplies of good things in the shape of eatables, and the usual games were indulged in.

The girls of Spiers School had the girls of Paisley Grammar School as their opponents in a tennis match, which resulted in victory for the locals by five sets to four. The play was much enjoyed by a large crowd of onlookers. The return game takes place at Paisley today.

Eighteen junior bursaries of the annual value of £1, with free education and tenable for three years at Spier’s School, are now vacant. Of these four are restricted to pupils at the school, while the remaining fourteen are restricted to children attending public schools in the Parish of Beith  or to children attending public schools in the adjacent parishes where parents or guardians reside in the parish of Beith.

Farrier Corporal John Neil of the Canadian forces, son of Mr John Neil, Townhead, was in Beith last week. Corporal John Millar of the Royal Flying Corps was home on a few days leave. He expects to go abroad shortly. Lance-Corporal Thomas Kirkwood, Canadian Infantry, son of Mr Thomas Kirkwood, Crummock Street, has been promoted Corporal.

A curious situation has arisen with regard to Paul Pollachi, ice cream merchant, Cross, Beith, who has been called upon to report himself at Ayr on 3 July under the Military Service Act. Mr Pollachi is an Italian subject, and has not been naturalised in this country. As he naively remarks, he cannot fight in two armies.

Private John Dickson,  A & S Highlanders, son of Mrs Dickson, Mains Road, Beith, is reported this morning to have been injured in the knee with shrapnel. Private Dickson left this country only three weeks ago. He was employed before enlisting as a clerk at Laigh Station. He is said to be in hospital.

The picnic tea held at Woodside last Saturday for the Scotch Girls Friendly Society was a complete success. The kindness of Mr and Mrs Arthur Findlay made the society free to roam the grounds at will or sit on the lawn under the shady trees. Tea was served at 4.00 pm and thereafter games were played and a programme of races carried out. Prizes were presented by Mrs N K Corchran-Patrick and Miss Cochran-Patrick. Later on Miss Cochran-Patrick in a few words thanked Mr and Mrs Findlay of Woodside for their kindness in throwing Woodside open to their members. One hundred and thirty six members, associates, friendly helpers and candidates together with a few visitors, were present during the afternoon.

The meeting of Beith Golf Club on Friday night discussed the pros and cons of continuing operations, and ultimately came to the decision to keep the flag flying meantime. Expenditure will be reduced as much as possible, and the hope was expressed that members might continue their support so far as available. A good may are now serving in the army.