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ARDROSSAN & SALTCOATS HERALD BEITH LOCAL NOTES DONALD L REID (Tel. 01505-503801 e-mail: donaldleesreid@hotmail.com) SUNDAY 27 JULY 2003
BEITH LOCAL NOTES
RETIRAL Brian Smith (65) of Beith’s Manuel Avenue, recently retired from his job as a Mechanical Engineer with Loganair based at Glasgow Airport. Brian started in aviation in 1954, at the age of 15, as a Royal Air Force apprentice at RAF Halton. He served at various RAF stations on many different types of aircraft including Meteor’s, Comet’s, VC10’s and Vulcan’s, to name but a few. The Vulcan bomber was the aircraft which he remembers which is huge wing span and tremendous presence in the sky. He left the RAF at the age of 30, and joined Scottish Aviation at Prestwick (now British Aerospace). In the two years of his time at this company, Brian worked as a fitter on Starfighters, a production control engineer on Jestream Wing manufacture and an airframe/engine inspector on Viscount, DC4 and CL44 aircraft. On leaving Scottish Aviation, he joined the Rhodesian Airforce and was involved with component servicing, line and base maintenance on Alouette Helicopters, Islander’s and Piston Provost’s. During this time he became involved in non-destructive testing and retired from the now Zimbabwe Air Force as the Warrant Officer in charge of Non-Destructive Testing (NDC). On returning to the United Kingdom, Brian joined Loganair as a Workshop Fitter and on his retirement had served with the company for 22 years, being employed by British Regional Airlines, British Midland Engineering and finally with the reformed Loganair. Although born in Derbyshire, Brian loves Scotland and has lived in Beith with his wife May for 21 years. Brian hobby is building and sailing model boats and he is a very active member of Irvine Model Boat Club. He is also a keen do-it-yourself fanatic and is presently replacing all the units in the kitchen. His wife May is very well known in Beith where she has been a child minder for many years. Affectionately known as Aunty May, she enjoys helping out at Beith Primary school on an adhoc basis. May and Brian were among the very first families to move into Manrahead Estate when it was built. They have a grown up family of Roger and Laura and one grand child. Brian and May intend to spend as much time together now as possible and simply enjoy a long and happy retirement. Everyone who knows this lovely couple will join in wishing them all happiness in the future.
RANGERS GAMEThe visit of Rangers to the formal re-opening of Bellsdale Park, Beith, was a great occasion for the town with a large and very vocal turnout of enthusiastic local supporters who were looking for their local heroes to peform a giant-killing act. The games went well and it was pleasing to report that the behaviour of the supporters was first class. Unfortunately, Rangers gave the Beith ballmen a footballing lesson when they won comfortably by six goals to one. This is certainly not the first occasion that Rangers have visited Beith. The town’s newspaper of 1 September 1877 reports thus: “On Saturday last the grounds of Beith Football Club was opened for the season with a visit by Rangers (Glasgow). Rangers won by two goals to none. For Rangers P Campbell, M McNeil, Dunlop and J Campbell played well in front; and Vallance, Gillespie, and McIntyre at back and half back also played well. For Beith, Stevenson, Brodie, McInnes and Maguire did some good work; while Edmonstone and Peddie at half-back were faultless. After the game a supper was partaken by both teams at the Saracen Hotel, when speech, song, toast and sentiment were indulged in till the time for the strangers to depart for St Mungo was up.”RSPB LOCHWINNOCHTomorrow (Saturday) there will be a Wild Day Out! at Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature Reserve. It promises to be a fun-packed day with nature games and activities for all the children. It is running from 10-4pm so come along anytime and get your activity card (£2 per child) and take part. Each child will also get a gift on returning the completed card. There will be face-painting, mask making, bird-sticker making, nature trail games and much more! No booking required. For any further information please contact the reserve on 01505 842663 or email lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk
FUN DAYBarrmill Community Association are holding a family fun day at Barrmill Park on Sunday 3August from 1.30 pm until 4.00 pm. There will be the usual variety of stalls and sports and entertainment including tug o’ war with various races for the young folk. Teas will be served in the community centre.
HENRY FAULDS This week the Henry Faulds Society gratefully acknowledge a donation from well known Barrmillian and dedicated Beith Juniors supporter, George ‘Geordie’Anderson. Anyone wishing to keep abreast of developments can access the official site on: www.henryfaulds.org or contact the secretary, Donald L Reid on 01505-503801 or email: donaldleesreid@hotmail.com
CANCER SUPPORT Billy Haining, organiser of the Beith Branch, Ayrshire Cancer Support Group is delighted to report that Beith’s pedalling policeman, Brian Smith, arrived safely at Lands End on 23 July following his epic cycle ride from John O’ Groats. Brian has placed sponsor forms in support of the Ayrshire Cancer Support Group and CHAS in local shops and the library and any donations made will benefit these two very worthy charities which do such great work for people suffering from cancer and other illnesses. Billy passes on his thanks to Brian for his support of the Beith branch. Today (Friday) the Beith branch will be selling raffle tickets at Safeway, Kilbirnie, and this is part of their annual fund raising raffle. The support of locals in the Garnock Valley would be greatly appreciated and there is a substantial monetary prize as well as several other first class prizes to be won. Young people all too often come in for unfounded criticism. All of us ‘auld yins’ tend to forget that we were young ourselves not too long ago! Here is a really good news story which highlights that young people also have a social conscience and are very caring and aware of the needs of others. Local children Stewart Ducan (10), James Harkness (11), Kerry Milne (11), Lauren Graham (11) and Kate Duncan (13) recently decided to do a clean up of the playing field at Crummock Street at Crummock Gardens. After bagging and removing a large amount of litter they went round the doors telling locals what they had achieved and asked for a donation for the Beith Branch of Ayrshire Cancer Support Group. Billy Haining is delighted to report that he received £28.44 raised by these enterprising young people and he is absolutely delighted that it was raised in this special way. Isn’t that a really touching story which serves to restore our our sometimes flagging faith in young folk. Congratulations to Stewart, James, Kerry, Lauren and Kate.
END TO END The pedalling polis of Beith, Brian Smith, has indeed finally completed his challenging, charitable cycle ride from John o’ Groats to Lands End. Brian, who lives in Beith’s Crummock Gardens, set off from John o’ Groats on 5 July, finally reaching Land’s End on 23 July. He was met at journey’s end by wife, Margaret, and after a day of relaxation they set off on a relaxing holiday. Brian hopes that through his efforts he will have helped to raise funds for Beith Cancer Support Group and for CHAS who are endeavouring to establish a children’s hospice at Balloch on the bonny banks of Loch Lomond. Sponsor forms are still available in a number of shops in the town and in the library and all donations will help two very worthwhile charities. Well done, Brian!
BOWLINGThis week's coaching session at Beith Bowling Club took place on Thursday 24th July, with seven youngsters taking part in a rink team competition. Coach, John Simpson ,made up the numbers in B team along with Steven Warnock lead, Liam Shephard second and Hannah Main third, against a strong A team consisting of lead Jordan Pettigrew, second Craig Monk, third Euan McFadzean and skip Anthony Taggart, who won the prizes. The next coaching session will be today (Friday) at 2.00 pm. In the final of the Ayrshire Bowling Association Top Ten, Beith BC narrowly lost against Irvine Park BC on Wed 23rd July. At last Friday night's mixed wapinschaw, the prizes donated by Robert F Clark, went to the winning rink skipped by Cyril Owen, lead Jim McConnell, second and third father and son Alex McFarlane, Alan McFarlane. Last Saturday, President Charlie Fairns welcomed Beith Bowling Club Members to the W.L. Irvine Trophy and Consolation Cup. This is a single two-bowl competition which is not for the faint -hearted. In the Consolation, the semi-finalists were Donald McCorquodale and Kerr Bryson, the runner up was Robert F Clark and the winner was the in-form Bob Lochhead. The semi -finalists for the W L Irvine Trophy were Duncan Meldrum and Lenny Whiteman. The runner up was John Simpson, who also won a wonderful potted flower arrangement donated by Mitchell Rae for the 1st toucher in the final. Congratulations go to the winner, Robert McDonald , who played exceptionally well thoughout the competition. For the first time in the 31 years history of the W.L Irvine Trophy, Tom ‘Pie’ Irvine’s mother, Maria Irvine was unfortunately unable to be present this year, so the honour fell to Tom's wife Margaret to present the prizes to the winners. Tom Irvine thanked all the members who took part in the competition, Greta Durkin for the rolls and sausages, Rebecca Price for doing the raffle, and complimented Gill for her service behind the bar. President Charlie then went on to thank the sponsor, and hoped the W.L Irvine Trophy competition would continue for many years to come. The Craig Cup was recently competed for at Beith Bowling Green. The winning pair were Betty Brown and Charlie Thomson to whom we sent our heartiest congratulations. All in all another great week of friendly bowling at Beith.
HEART START Heart Start Ayrshire and Arran are on the lookout for volunteers. Can you help? No previous training or experience is necessary as full training will be given. Heart Start Ayrshire and Arran will train you in all aspects of first aid, particularly in relation to how you would treat a patient who suffers a heart attack. Those who have the necessary ability could be trained as trainers of others and this is a special way of giving service to the local community. The programme has so far trained 21,000 people in Ayrshire and Arran. If you are interested and want to know more contact Mike Rennie, co-ordinator, Heart Start Room 624, Ayrshire Central Hospital, Irvine KA12 8SS tel. 01294-323478
RANGERS SUPPORTERS The local Rangers Saracen Supporters Club intimate that subscriptions are now due for the new season and those intending using the ‘bus regularly should intimate same to John on 01505-500264. Those wishing to attend pre-season friendly games should contact Andy on 01505-503928 or Jim Reid on 01505-504548.
PLAY DAYS Have you ever fancied taking on Minotaur? How about rescuing a friend from the clutches of an evil fairy King. Are you willing to fight Hercules? Are there fairies at the bottom of your garden? If you answered yes to any of the above, then get yourself along to the Valley Arc, School Road, Kilbirnie. From Monday 11 – Friday 15 August from 10.00 am to 12 noon they are holding a session on story telling and drama where make belief comes to life. You need to be between 5 – 8 years of age and the cost is £10 for the week. During the same period from 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm they are holding sessions on Greek Myths and legends and this is aimed at children aged 9 – 12 years. For further information contact Louise Allen at the Valley Arc on 01505-684225.
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 returned to the typesetter for updating and the book 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 140 photographs many of which are published for the first time. Anyone wishing to reserve a copy of the limited edition book, price £7-50, is asked to contact Donald L Reid on 503801 or add their name, address and telephone to a list in Beith library or E: donaldleesreid@hotmail.com. It is pleasing to report that advance orders have come flooding in not only from locals but from Canada and USA. All funds raised from royalties, which honours the memory of Sheila Pearson, one of Beith’s best known citizens, will benefit the Henry Faulds Society with a donation to Beith and Gateside Primary Schools.
ST INAN’S ANGLING CLUB Nine stalwart members of St Inan’s Angling Club fished
the West Trophy on Saturday in typical July weather, a strong wind blowing
across Kirkleegreen dam and alternating between bright sunshine and overcast.
Fishing conditions were difficult, and it was no surprise that only three fish
were landed. The winner was Andy Cooper with a rainbow of 1lb10oz, with stuart
McNaughten second, weighing in a fish 1oz lighter. Jim Black was third with a
12oz brown trout. The club championship is very close, with only a
WEDDING Two Beithites tied the knot on Friday 25 July in Largs Registry Office. John Hunter of Lomond Crescent is the son of the late John Hunter and his widow Netta, both well known in bowling circles in Beith. He married Alison Burns of Acacia Drive, who is the daughter of well known taxi-driver, Ian Burns proprietor of Hillside Taxis. The happy couple celebrated with a reception in the Dalry Inn before heading off on honeymoon. Both families send their congratulations and best wishes to the happy couple.
PARTY TIME Joanne Miller, 18, of Balfour Avenue celebrated her birthday with a surprise party in the Eglinton Inn last Friday. Needless to say with all her friends and relations present, the night was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. Joanne will shortly begin a course at Strathclyde University and was recently presented with her Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award at a ceremony in Holyrood Palace. She also won the 2003 Leadership Award at Garnock Academy and in the same week passed her driving test. Congratulations, Joanne.
GARDENING When you pass through Barrmill you will see just about everyone working hard on improving their gardens. Of course it’s no coincidence that judging is ongoing in the annual Best Kept Garden Competition. The presentation to winners will take place in the community centre on 14 August at 7.30 pm. There is apparently no truth in the rumour that the one and only Charlie Dimmock, gardening Goddess of TV, will be doing the honours. Mind you, it might be nice if it was true, eh lads!
LITTER Local landowners have indicated their very understandable disgust and annoyance at the amount of litter which has recently been left in the area around St. Inan’s Chair, Threepwood Road. This is a popular walk on the edge of the Bigholm Hills, but unfortunately some thoughtless individuals have deposited large amounts of litter consisting mainly of numerous beer cans, bottles and crisp bags. It would seem that the area is being used as a drinking den. Sheep and cattle graze in this area and the land owners are concerned that such litter may endanger these animals. So, those who are walking near St Inan’s Chair are asked to take their litter home with them and obey the countryside code at all times. Isn’t a lot to ask really, is it?
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 Nikla 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. Nikla is to be seen pounding the streets as she builds up her fitness and stamina for the big day. 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.
SCHOOL REUNION Everyone loves to journey down memory lane to those happy halcyon days of yesteryear. And if you attended Garnock Academy beginning in August 1982 you, too, could be about to enjoy sharing those happy school days with former school friends. Beithites, Cariona Robb (nee McInnes) and Melanie Packman (nee Pearson) are organising a school reunion to be held in the Dalry Inn on 19 September. Why not go along and find out what your old school friends and some of your teachers are doing now? For further information contact Catriona on 01505-504798 or Melanie on 01505-506872. There has already been a great demand for tickets for this event, so if you want to journey down memory lane with your school pals, contact Catriona or Melanie soon and pickup your ticket price £8.
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.
TEL NUMBER In the recent edition of the Beith Safety Gazette the telephone number of Kilbirnie Police shows the wrong STD code. If you wish to contact Kibirnie Police the number is 01505-682677 and in an emergency simply dial 999. The Beith Safety Gazette was recently distributed to 3,200 homes in the district. The magazine was a joint initiative between Beith Community Council, Beith Open Award Group and Barrmill Community Association. To date only 15 feedback forms have been returned from readers of the magazine, which is a little disappointing. The benefit of the feedback forms is that it allows a proper evaluation of the benefit of the magazine to be carried out and also to receive some feedback about the types of articles which might usefully be addressed in future issues. It is not necessary to give comments on the tear off slip at the back of the magazine. A brief letter can be sent to the editor or handed in to the local library giving views. All such major initiatives are costly and time consuming. Having the results of a proper evaluation will be very helpful to the partners in the project when it comes to seeking funding to produce future copies of the publication. So, if you have any views about the magazine, please let the editor know. Apathy may result in the view being taken that such community based magazines highlighting local safety issues are of little value. If that is indeed the case, we would welcome views to that effect as feedback both positive and negative are very helpful.
THE INFORMER The latest edition (July – September) of the Informer Newspaper, the voice of the community and volutary sector in North Ayrshire, was published last week. The newspaper is widely distributed throughout North Ayrshire and copies are available in Beith library. The front page contains a major article entitled: Dr Henry Faulds – Beith’s Pioneer of Fingerprints. The newspaper runs to eight pages and contains a huge amount of interesting information and advice including articles about how to succeed with lottery funding applications and information about trusts and charities. The publishers, the Council for Voluntary Service North Ayrshire (CVSna) will even help you to access funders applicable to your particular project. Well known Barrmillian, Margaret Montgomery of Barrmill Community Association is on the editorial team of The Informer and the newspaper is looking for articles for their next edition to be in the hands of the editorial team by 14 August. Contact the editor, CVSna, 1a Winton Buildings, Ardrossan KA22 8HT. Tel 01294-473139 or e-mail: cvsna@btconnect.com.
BARRMILL JOLLY BEGGARS Barrmill Jolly Beggars Burns Club are presently working on a book to commemorate the diamond jubilee of the club which was formed in Barrmill in 1944. Anyone who has particular memories about the club over the yearsor photographs is cordially invited to contact the secretary, Donald L Reid on 503801. A number of cronies have already submitted interesting short pieces reflecting personal recollections of happy memories of the club and its members of yesterday and today. Anyone who wishes to submit information is asked to do so as soon as possible as the booklet will be published in time for the annual St Andrew’s Dinner which will be held on Friday 28 November 2003 in Beith Bowling Club.The club are very grateful to North Ayrshire Council Local Grants committee for a grant, which will help in producing this publication.
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.
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