DONALD L REID

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

SUNDAY 4 May 2003

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JOLLY BEGGARS: (l to r) Ian Shaw (Junior VP); Harry Young (Hon President); Norman M Henderson (President) and

Tom Osborne (Senior VP) are the team taking Barrmill Jolly Beggars into their diamond jubilee year celebrating 60 years of fun and friendship. See Local notes.

(Photo: Donald L Reid collection)

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HAPPY FARMING TALENT: Beith Young Farmers who recently won the local talent competition proving that the

Beithites are indeed a resourceful and enthusiastic bunch. See local notes.

(Photo: SP)

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TWO FOR TEA: Rev Finlay A Macdonald, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, recently visited Beith where he enjoyed tea with Rev Fiona C Ross.

BEITH LOCAL NOTES

LOCAL ELECTION

The local election results were the talk of the steamy in Beith’s Main Street last Saturday.

Did Jean Highgate really defeat Bobby Reilly? Jimmy Jennings was defeated by who? The rumour factory was in overdrive and

everyone wanted answers and your local correspondent was summoned into several shops and was able to confirm the authenticity

of the rumours.  And, it was indeed true. For some there was great delight at the news whilst for others there was much anguish and

gnashing of teeth. So, it was a case of ‘all change’ last week when the results of the North Ayrshire Council elections affecting Beith

and district were announced on 2 May at the Magnum Centre, Irvine. Sitting labour Councillors Robert Reilly (Beith) and veteran

member, James Jennings (Garnock East) were defeated by Jean Highgate (Independent) and Ian Richardson (Scottish Conservatives).

Jean Highgate is the secretary of Beith and District Community Council and Ian Richardson is also a member. Jings, this result means

there are now two vacancies on the community council. Any takers? Garnock East had been a labour marginal for several years, but

Beith Town was generally regarded as a reasonably safe Labour seat. The proposed landfill site at Trearne Quarry was one of the

key local issues which saw Robert Reilly and James Jennings, heading for pastures green. Just goes to show that the will of the

electorate can indeed make earth-shattering changes and that, of course, is real democracy at work. The people had spoken and

the vast majority who didn’t actually bother to vote can have no complaint. It can only be assumed that the non-voters were apparently happy

to allow the minority of voters to make the decision about who should be the local councillors. That, too, one has to suppose is also

democracy at work. Opting out or simply being totally scunnered is, after all, allowed. Be in no doubt that taking on the role of a local

councillor can never be an easy task. You are at the beck and call of everyone from individuals to organisations and businesses and

are expected to be able to change the world, or Beith at least. Those in such positions come in for criticism, not always deserved, and

past achievements are quickly forgotten. The new councillors, albeit wet behind the ears, will doubtless find that they have taken on an

extremely difficult challenge in the fascinating world of local politics, which is definitely not for the faint of heart. On a serious note,

everyone irrespective of political leanings, will join in thanking Robert Reilly JP and James Jennings OBE JP for their services to the local

community over the years and welcome the newly elected members, Councillors Jean Highgate and Ian Richardson. As the singer says in

that well known song, the times they are a changing.

BEITH HIGH CHURCH

Beith High Church has a membership role of just under 1,000 local people. However, the average attendance at Sunday morning services is

considerably less than 300. In order to review why there has been a drift away from the church which has occurred over many years, the

congregation are embarking on a challenging pro-active campaign entitled, Key to the Future at Beith High - The Fruits of Faith. This campaign,

which begins with house visits for the next few weeks, will involve around 80 church making visits and delivering two brochures. One highlights

the background to the campaign and some of the key issues affecting the church locally and the second, a response leaflet, invites members

to take the time to reflect on the issues raised and respond in a meaningful and practical way in order to help the church assess what it needs

to do to make worship more relevant and how they might be able to serve the church here in Beith. A central theme of the campaign will be an

exhibition taking place in the High Church Hall from Thursday 22 May until Saturday 24 May, opening 2.00 pm until 8.00 pm Thursday,

Friday and on Saturday from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm. This exhibition will celebrate and illustrate the work and service of the church in Beith

through the myriad of church related organisations as well as the wider work of the church. The response leaflets will be collected by the visitors

between 15 – 30 June. A special service of celebration will be held in Beith High on Sunday 25 May at 10.30 am with a thanksgiving service

planned for the same time on Sunday 15 June. Anyone wishing more information about the Fruits of Faith campaign can contact Rev Andrew

Black, Rev Fiona Ross or any elder.

POLICE SURGERY

Local community officers, Jim and Sandy, are continuing with their regular surgeries and members of the public with any concerns about crime,

drugs, disorder, neighbour issues etc are cordially invited to come along and discuss non-urgent matters of concern to them in a relaxed environment

where every effort will be made to positively address their concerns. The officers will be available at Beith Police Station between 7.00 pm and

9.00 pm on Tuesday, 13 May and you are invited to drop in a meet them there. Previous local surgeries have proved very helpful. Needless to say,

if the public have urgent matters of concern they should not wait for the surgery date, but contact the police at Kilbirnie, Tel 01505-682677.

HENRY FAULDS SOCIETY

The Dr Henry Faulds Society continues to attract interest in their efforts to raise funds to honour the father of fingerprint science, with a

commemorative cairn in the town where he was born, educated and spent his formative years.  Donations have been received and are gratefully

acknowledged this week from ex Beithite, Andrew McCallum of Seaford, East Sussex, Barrmill Jolly Beggars Burns Club, Harry Young, Iain Skene of

Paisley and William McConnell (Florist) of Beith. Interestingly Colin Beavan’s book, Fingerprints, was last week published by Fourth Estate in

softback at £7-95. Several copies of this book have been donated to the society by the publishers, Fourth Estate of London, and some of these

will be inscribed and gifted to Beith Primary and Gateside Primary Schools. This book tells the story of Dr Henry Faulds of Beith and how he was

very much sidelined by those in authority and his key role as an early fingerprint pioneer was never fully acknowledged. The June edition of the

world-renowned Scots Magazine, due out towards the end of May, has an interesting illustrated article written by feature writer, Bill Fyfe Hendrie,

entitled: Making His Mark – Tracking Down The Beith Born Pioneer of Fingerprinting, Dr Henry Faulds. Further information about the Henry

Faulds Society and its objectives can be obtained from the secretary, Donald L Reid, 7 Manuel Avenue, Beith or telephone 01505-503801 or you

can vist the official web site of the society on www.henryfaulds.org or our local site at www.drhenryfaulds.arabicagroup.com.

SCHOOL REUNUION

Did your secondary education begin at Garnock Academy 21 years ago in August 1982? Would you like to journey down memory lane and find

out what happened to your former school friends over the years? It is intended to hold a reunion locally in the Garnock Valley on Saturday,

September 27 taking the form of a disco/buffet supper in the Gateside Inn. Former school friends might find it interesting to have a blether

with the folk who shared their secondary education at Garnock Academy all those years ago. Anyone wishing further information about this

proposed event is invited to contact Melanie Packman (nee Pearson)  on 01505-506872 or Catriona Robb (nee McInnes) on 01505-504798.

AWARD GROUP

Beith High Church linked with Trinity Church Senior Youth Group resumes at 6.00 pm  on Sunday 11 May in the High Church Hall. Members are

asked to note the new start time of 6.00 pm finishing at the High Kirk Hall at 8.00 pm when, weather permitting, all activities will be based outdoors,

so old clothes and stout footwear should be worn. An invitation is also extended to members of the junior youth group based at Trinity Church who

are currently 14 years of age or will be 14 by December 2003 and intend joining the senior youth group in the new session beginning in September.

Coming along to the current meetings will gain them an early insight into campcraft activities and they will also be given the registration forms to

sign-up for the bronze level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Anyone wishing further information should contact Donald Reid on 503801 or

Janet Osborne on 503505

WEST HIGHLAND WAY

Colin Sinclair, the genial mine host of the Eglinton Inn, Beith, is an enterprising fellow always keen to help raise funds for charity. Colin has been a

supporter of Marie Curie Cancer Care for several years. On Sunday 11^th May Colin embarks on a walk along the entire route of the West Highland

Way finishing on Thursday, 15 May in Fort William. Colin is being joined on charitable jaunt by Mike Malone, Ralph Hopton, Tom Palmer with Carole

Girvan driving the support vehicle. All funds raised from this walk will be presented to Marie Curie Cancer Care at a fund raising dance organised

by ex Beithite, Iain Hardie, to be held in the Garnock Labour Club, Kilbirnie on Friday, 30 May. Sponsor sheets are available in the Eglinton Inn

where donations will also be gratefully received.

BEITH WEB SITES

Most folk now have access to computers and their attention is drawn to local web sites which highlight historical information, news about clubs

and organisations, church news, community council news, What’s on guide and articles about people and places in Beith and district. Both sites

are very comprehensive and easily navigated and are regularly updated. They also have an extensive photographic record of Beith of yesterday

and today and  have musical introductions in some sections. Both sites are regularly visited by local people and those visiting from abroad with

an interest in Beith. You can find much interesting information about the town and district on www.arabicagroup.com and www.beith.org.uk .

So, if you are linked to the web, pop into these sites to find out more about Beith. Alan Watson, who runs the Arabica Internet Café, Main Street,

(above Riverhills) is now offering demonstrations on all aspects of computing from multi-media to internet access. He is also about to provide a

facility for local businesses and shops to go online. Interestingly, in the last 6 months his site has received over 5,000 visits so having local

businesses and shops linked to the world-wide web will highlight their services to a wide spectrum of potential custumers.

SALSA DANCING

Body Fitness presents Salsa dance lessons being held in Beith Trinity Church hall each Sunday from 7.00 pm – 8.00 pm. The cost is £3 per

class and is ideal for beginners and experienced dancers. For further information contact 01563-524662.

CHORAL CONCERT

Cunninghame Choir are holding a choral concert in St Margarets Church, Dalry tomorrow (Saturday) at 7.30 pm. Works being performed are

Schumann’s Requiem opus 148 and Haydn’s Harmonie Messe. Tickets are £6.00 and £4.00 and available at the door on the evening of the concert.

KARATE

Garnock Valley Karate Club meets in the old Harriers Hut each Monday and Wednesday from 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm. The club has qualified

instructors and takes karate students from aged 6 years upwards and they are given instruction and progress through the various karate gradings.

For further information contact Sandy on 07952517056 or call in during the above times to the Harriers Hut.

APPEAL

Billy Long of Dalry is a regular patient at the John Lynch Renal Unit of Crosshouse Hospital. He is keen to organise some fund raising for the unit and

is looking for volunteers which might be interested in setting up a support group for this specialist unit. He first fund raising effort is a Karaoke in the

Turf Inn, Dalry on Saturday, June 7 from 8.00 pm – midnight. The admission cost is £2 and there will be a raffle. Anyone wishing to support this event

or help in others ways can contact Billy Long on 01294-833397.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK

Christian Aid Week runs from 11 – 17 May. This year the usual coffee mornings will be held during the week in the United Reform Church hall. On

Wednesday 14 May the first coffee morning will be hosted by High Church Guild whilst on Thursday 15 May it will be hosted by United Reform Church

Guild and on Friday 16 May the Trinity Church Guild will be the organisers. On the morning of Tuesday 13 May there will be a “Fair-Trade Ready

Steady Cook” event in the United Reform Church Hall. This is a must for all aspiring cooks. The highlight of Christian Aid Week is the special

project which is held in the town centre on Friday 16 May, led by Angus Nimmo and Anne Smith, who seem to come up time and again with

special ideas which always attract folk to the town centre. On this occasion they intend to build a colourful cairn constructed with stones. It is

hoped that each stone will show a message of hope, or an image to represent what justice and peace means to the person purchasing the stone.

The stone(s) can either be hand painted by the purchaser on the day of the event, or it can be done on their behalf by an artist. Each stone costs

£1 and there is no limit to the number which can be purchased. Because of the ongoing work at Beith Cross, this event will be held on the grassed

area near to B & A Travel. Anyone wishing to support this fund raising event for Christian Aid is asked to contact Anne on 01505-502531. We

trust that everyone in Beith will give their usual great support to Christian Aid Week.

RANGERS SUPPORTERS CLUB

Beith Saracen Rangers Supporters Club are running a bus for the game at Ibrox Park against Kilmarnock on Sunday 11 May. The bus will leave

Dalry at 1.30 pm, Kilbirnie at 1.45 pm and Beith at 2.00 pm. The names of those intending to travel should be given to ‘bus stewards as soon as

possible. It should also be noted that a full complement of names for the bus for the cup final has been received and the list is now closed.

SENIOR CITIZENS

Beith Old Peoples Welfare Committee are organising summer outings to Stirling on Thursday 3^rd and Thursday 10^th July. The ‘bus will leave Beith

Community Centre at 12.30 pm and return from Stirling at 6.00 pm. Tickets priced £2 will be on sale at Beith Community Centre on 13, 15, 20 and

22 May from 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm. Ticket price for this outing is non-refundable. No tickets will be sold after 22 May.

BEITH TOWN CENTRE INITIATIVE

The next meeting of Beith Town Centre Initiative (BTCI) committee is on Monday 12 May at 6.00 pm in Beith Community Centre. Anyone who feels

that they could assist the work of the committee is cordially invited to attend. And you don’t necessarily need to be a shop owner or run a business to

help with the work of the BTCI. For further information about any events being organised by the Beith Town Centre Initiative (BTCI) please contact their

secretary, Sandra Brown at Brightsparks or telephone 01505-503625.

Beith St Inans Angling Club

Work is successfully proceeding with the clearing of the north side of the dam, with all the whin bushes removed from the side of the water, and about

50% of the brambles in the cleared area now cut down.  These will be raked up and burnt as soon as possible.  Work on clearing this side should be

finished within two weeks, making the north side of the dam fishable from the overflow to the point.  Catch returns have been good this week, due to

the recent stocking, and about thirty fish have been recorded, with weight up to about three pounds.  Members are reminded that tomorrow (Saturday),

sees the first

competitions of the season, with the Crawford Cup for adult members and the J Knox Trophy for juniors.  The competition will be fished from 10 am to

4pm,

cost for adult members £1.00, jumiors free. A good turnout of members is requested.

BOWLING

Charlie Fairns President OF Beith Bowling Club last week extended a warm welcome to Cardonald Bowling Club's President John McFadyen and

members to the annual friendly game for the W F Muir Trophy. Dispite the inclement weather, a hard fought game was won by Cardonald BC.

A vote of thanks was given by VP Brian Monk for all those that helped to make the day such a success, and particularly to Ardrossan indoor caterer

Ronnie Roberts and staff for providing an excellent meal.

1st Beith Boys Brigade

Attendance at 1^st Beith BB was lower than normal again this week due to school holidays, although both the Junior and Company sections did meet

for a normal programme of events.  All sections will meet tonight (Friday) at the usual times.  The people of Beith are reminded that the BB Jumble

Sale is coming up soon, so start cleaning out now.  The jumble sale will be held on Friday 30th May, with collections from Monday 26th.  If you

have anything which you want uplifted call Tom on 502041 or Robert ob 503944.