July 26th 2002

Maybole branch of the Bank of Scotland had just the thing to lift the gloom on a dreich summer's day. For customers on Friday last week were treated to a "Summer Sizzler" indoor barbecue! Not that charcoal was burning inside the High Street branch - but there were some very nice things to eat. Bank staff Jean Clarke (left) and Susan taylor are pictured above offering tasty treats to young visitors Scott and Megan Conn.

Principal prize-winners at Cairn Primary School in Maybole were these three bright girls. Ainslie McCulloch (centre) took the Robert Hay Memorial Trophy as best all-round pupil, with Caroline Kennedy (left) taking Maths honours, and Gemma Scobie (right) gaining the Language prize.

WINDFALL BRINGS IN CCTV

New cash will go on security cameras, resurfaced roads, traffic calming, and campaigns targeting litter and vandalism — Cheryl McEvoy reports . . . TROON and Maybole are to get CCTV and local roads will have a £0.5million overhaul as part of massive council windfall. Traffic calming around schools will also go ahead along with the clean-up of graffiti and anti-litter campaigns. The news was revealed by South Ayrshire Council following a £2million cash injection from the Scottish Executive. Council Leader Andy Hill revealed details of how the cash will be spent and insisted that improving quality of life is top of the council’s list of priorities. He said: “The package of proposals, which total more than £2million, really does make tremendous news for the residents of South Ayrshire.”

ROADS AND PATHS
Councillor Hill explained that £500,000 will be spent resurfacing roads and footpaths across the county; £100,000 removing graffiti and tackling vandalism; £141,000 on anti-litter campaigns; and £250,000 on curbing traffic problems around schools. A total of £150,000 has been set aside for CCTV and external lighting in the two towns. And a further £20,000 will go towards the extension of a programme to combat damage to cemetery headstones. Councillor Hill went on: “We were given clear guidelines to follow in preparing our proposals, explaining how we intend to use the funds made available from the Scottish Executive. “Our main aim is to ensure that we give extra support to children and young people and that we endeavour to improve the local environment. “There was a need for our outline response to be submitted by July 24, and so speed has been of the utmost in putting our proposals together.” The spending plans were agreed by the ruling Labour group at a meeting on Monday night, and were expected to be approved by the council’s conveners and vice-conveners sub-committee on Wednesday. Councillor Hill went on: “The Ministers made it clear that they wanted the extra resources to be spent on helping support quality of life initiatives that will have a visible impact and will tackle local community concerns.”

WE HAVE TO UNTIE ELLIE EVERY DAY

Maybole parents tell of their anguish — and despair over NHS lack of cash Report by EDWIN LAWRENCE

A BABY girl wakes up every morning to face the pain of having her legs stretched straight. And it can be an hour-long ordeal for little Ellie Robinson as her parents battle to prevent her suffering further disabilities. Two-year-old Ellie has cerebral palsy, as well as being blind and epileptic. She has never crawled or walked, and is fed through a tube in her nose. Ellie sleeps on her back, and wakes up with her legs crossed — almost knotted. But this is putting pressure on her hip joints, and parents Rob and JulieAnne have to stretch the tot’s legs straight. Rob told the Post: “Ellie has a beautiful smile, and I’m glad to say she smiles a lot. But the only time she cries is in the morning when we have to untie her.” Pressure could be taken off the family through ‘sleep system’ equipment on the market for babies like Ellie. But the Robinsons have been told that funding is not available through the National Health Service in Ayrshire. The system, made of perspex, is aimed at keeping limbs straight in a variety of sleeping positions. It costs around £800, but the Robinsons would find it impossible to raise that kind of spare cash at the moment. Rob works for the Quarrier’s Home Life project in Ayr and JulieAnne is with the South Ayrshire Befriending Project. Rob pointed out: “We’re both in the caring profession, and by a cruel irony our baby is disabled. “Realistically, the length of her life is not going to be long. But we’re very proud of Ellie.

PACKET

“And it’s difficult to understand why equipment that could help her avoid further disfigurement isn’t available to her locally on the NHS. “It seems that everything for people with special needs costs a packet.” The Robinsons, who live in Maybole, worked in London before former Cumnock girl JulieAnne came home to Ayrshire to have her baby. And even though they are not able to obtain the sleep system for Ellie, the couple say they are perfectly happy with treatments and therapies available to their daughter in Ayrshire and Glasgow. So much so, that they decided to stay here in Ayrshire rather than go back down south and live in the capital again. But they believe they must highlight what they see as an unfortunate shortcoming in local healthcare services. Ellie was this week admitted to Ayr Hospital with a respiratory problem. And when she recovers, she faces an operation to have a tube inserted into her stomach as an alternative to being fed through her nose. Liz Moore, Director of Nursing with the Ayrshire and Arran Primary Care NHS Trust, was asked to comment on the family’s situation. She said:“We cannot discuss individual patients or their needs. “But it can be referred to the Patient Relations and Complaint Office at the Primary Care Trust, where the case will be fully investigated.” Little Ellie Robinson at home in Maybole with mum JulieAnne and dad Rob just before she went into Ayr Hospital this week

Don’t worry, new Carrick pupils are told

PRIMARY pupils who will move on to Carrick Academy after the summer had a special day at Maybole Town Hall. And the aim was to focus on any worries or concerns they might have about this major change in their lives. Morning sessions featured workshops designed to look at the problems like bullying, peer pressure, raising self esteem and making friends. The afternoon began with a talk by Inspector Stewart Gaudin, the police officer in charge of the Carrick area. And this was followed by a PACE theatre production looking at anti-vandalism issues. The day was organised by Carrick Academy depute head Isobel Johnstone, with help from Carrick Cluster school nurse Sina Currie. Also there were Community Mental Health Team members Lorraine Dodds, Irene Neil and Andrew Craig, school nurses June Milne and Mary Jeans, and South Ayrshire Community Education workers.

CASHING IN FOR CHARITY

MAYBOLE Amateur Swimming Club enjoyed a successful week in the town’s charity shop, raising around £1,300 for club funds. And volunteers who looked after the shop were delighted to welcome a VIP customer — Scottish Executive minister and local MSP Cathy Jamieson. Ms Jamieson was in town to open a new family history centre within the nearby Maybole Community Development Group office. And she took the opportunity to pop into the charity shop (right), to see a facility which raises thousands of pounds for a variety of clubs, groups and causes in the local area. Swimmers fund-raise at a stroke

They got up and gave

YOUNG people training for jobs with May-Tag in Maybole raised £100 for GMTV’s ‘Get Up and Give’ campaign. The trainees, along with staff member Catrina Geddes, compiled a quiz sheet of Maybole-related questions, which they then sold for 50p each. The cash raised is to be split between five nominated charities. They are: Weston Spirit, Thrive, Bliss, Winston’s Wish and MS Trust. Maybole Community Development Group gifted a bottle of whisky, and the local Safeway gave a bottle of wine for a prize draw held for those who correctly completed the quiz sheets. The whisky was won by Ellen Mackie and the wine by Josie Jackson, while a box of sweets went to David Cooper, the trainee who raised most funds. May-Tag trainees (from left) Steven Black, Craig McConnell, David Cooper and Jason Waddell with job trainer John Moore (behind) and wine winner Josie Jackson.

A new office has opened in Maybole High Street and it is staffed by two "weel kent" local faces.
In charge is Christine Kennedy whose last job was training co-ordinator with May-Tag – a post she has given up to become Project Manager at MAP. MAP stands for MAYBOLE ACCESS POINT which is a government-funded project and Christine is hoping it is a success. Cathie Barr will be responsible for the administration side of the project which is based in the former shop owned by David Crozier. Christine said last week as the doors opened, "We are here because it was identified that there was a gap in giving help people to do quite a number of things." "We will help with filling in complicated forms; making an appointment with someone in an office; dealing with what you might think of as unapproachable people on the other end of a phone, which can also be upsetting." She continued, ""For instance we could go with people to that office appointment or guide them through the phone call or form filling, until they have gained enough confidence to do it on their own, however long it takes." Also available will be access to information on other agencies within the district. "The list could be endless," She added, "but if we have not mentioned anything that could be troubling anyone then they should just call in we will be happy to see them."

July 19th 2002

MAYBOLE’S HI-TECH HISTORY
MAYBOLE has a rich history. And more of it is now accessible, with the opening of Maybole Historical Society’s Local and Family History Centre. Equipment was bought thanks to a National Lottery grant of £2,320. And Maybole Community Development Group has kindly allowed part of its High Street premises to be used for the centre. Cathy Jamieson officially opened the centre by cutting a ribbon, and the MSP’s name is first in the visitors’ book. Ms Jamieson and more than 30 invited guests were welcomed by society chairman Helen McAdam. And the busy MSP, who is also a Scottish Executive minister, congratulated all concerned with setting up the facility. She said: “This is a wonderful example of what can be achieved by people working together. “And I am delighted that the facilities will be available for all locals and visitors to enjoy.” Facilities include: a microfiche/microfilm reader, with microfiche of International Genealogical Index; an index to the 1861 census for Ayrshire; early Ordnance Survey maps of Ayrshire; microfilms of the 1851 census of Maybole; Maybole Old Parish registers; a lap-top computer with family history software; the 1881 census of Great Britain on CD Rom; a gazetteer of Scotland; and much more.

Guests (right) included Eleanor Jamieson, Gordon Killicoat, Jan Connelly, Willie Connelly, Margaret Davidson and Davie Hunter.

Above left: Cathy Jamieson MSP cuts a ribbon, held by Helen McAdam, to open the new history centre.

Above right: A trio of ladies from Maybole Community Council check out the centre. From left to right: Helen Whitefield, Frances Campbell, Marianne McCreadie.

Left: Guests viewing the new centre included these three ladies: From left: Patty Kewney, Elizabeth Eaglesham and Margaret Dick.

Right: Cathy chats with Maybole Historical Society’s honorary president Murray Cook and vice chairman David Killicoat (standing).

Below: Pictured at the opening (left to right) are Jack Boyd, Jim McDermott, Ellen Hawkes, David Kiltie and Peter Walker.

Maybole Historical Society pictures by DAVID KILTIE

DUNURE DRAMA AS BOYS SAVE WOMAN

IT was all in a day’s swim for three lads brought up on the Ayrshire coast.
Report by EDWIN LAWRENCE r

But their speedy response almost certainly saved the life of an American tourist who fell into Dunure harbour. The 13-year-old pals were about to head home for tea when they were caught up in a real-life drama at the scenic village haven. A group of American tourists was taking a look at the historic harbour, when one of them — a woman reckoned to be in her late 50s — tripped and fell in. Derek Hay, who had been swimming in his T-shirt and shorts, reacted instinctively, and jumped in to help the woman. He had heard a shout of ‘Oh, mum!’ from another of the tourists, as he took to the water. The shocked woman in the harbour made no reply when Derek asked her if she was OK, and he knew she must be in shock. Derek’s pals, Calum McCutcheon and Graeme Macmillan, quickly joined him in the water, and they had a lifebelt with them. Derek said: “I got the impression the woman couldn’t swim, as she was glad to hold on to the lifebelt. “And she was asking us to pull her.” The boys pulled the woman to ladders on the harbour wall, and helped her back on to the pier.

Family and friends of the woman helped dry her off, and as she regained her composure she realised her bag and camera were missing. No problem to the pals, who went BACK into the harbour with a snorkel mask, and located both items. One of the tourists gave the boys a £20 note before the party drove away from the scene of the unforeseen incident. That left the three Carrick Academy pupils scratching their heads as to how they were going to split it! But the lads won praise as word of their plucky act spread round the village. John Eaglesham, who runs Dunure Youth Club with his wife Mhairi said: “I’m extremely proud of the way the boys reacted in an emergency situation. “They are a credit to themselves and a credit to Dunure.” The drama unfolded late on Thursday afternoon of last week.

People will decide future of a shelter

SHOULD it stay or should it go? That’s what Councillor Alan Murray wants to know from Maybole residents affected by a new bus shelter in Minnoch Crescent. Councillor Murray last month admitted Gardenrose Tenants’ Association would have preferred the shelter to be in Glenalla Road. But it has emerged that Glenalla Road is not on a registered bus route, and that is why the shelter was erected in Minnoch Crescent.

FAVOUR

However, it seems that residents of nearby Queen’s Terrace like where the shelter has gone up, and find it handy.

Councillor Murray told the Post this week: “I want to hear people’s views on this, to find the location that wins most favour with people. “It’s been suggested that it could be moved to a wide part of the road at the end of Minnoch Crescent or to outside the flats, next to the parking bays.” Well what do you think? Let Councillor Murray know at his office in Ayr (01292) 612272 or on his answer machine on Maybole 884446.

It’s certainly exotic, the life of Brian!

BRIAN Cooper hasn’t spent all his time monkeying around since he left Carrick Academy five years ago.

For he has travelled the world with the Army, and the 21-year-old is currently on a course that will see him gain the rank of Corporal. But as Lance Corporal Cooper he has just completed a four months spell in tropical Belize, in Central America.

Royal Engineer Brian was on a project to rebuild a local school destroyed by a hurricane which swept in. It wasn’t all work, as you can see from the photo, and Brian had time for days out and to pursue sports like diving, windsurfing and rock-climbing.

Brian’s pals in the Royal Engineers had a special surprise lined up for his 21st birthday, taking him to Cancun in Mexico.

It turned out to be a double celebration, as his family in Maybole threw another party when he came home on leave.

Brian is currently in Hull on a course, and he’s off to Poland in September.

July 12th 2002

HUMAN DUNG CAUSES STINK
Piles of sewage get right up people’s noses RESIDENTS at a Carrick beauty spot are kicking up a stink over mounds of foul-smelling HUMAN fertiliser. The stench emanating from tones of pasteurised sewage sludge has dominated the area around Balchriston Farm on the road to Maybole shore, prompting an outcry from locals. The company responsible for the fertiliser have been ordered by environmental chiefs to take immediate action to mask the smell. And they could be forced to shift it if neighbours continue to complain.

AWFUL
Angry residents insist they’ve had to put up with the eye-watering pong since Jim Lyburn took delivery of the two huge mountains of sludge weeks ago. One woman blasted: “We can’t even open our windows. The smell has been awful for weeks now and we’ve been told it won’t be spread until late August or early September — so we’ll have to put up with it until then. “The smell comes and goes, but when it’s bad the stench is sickening.” Residents living in the picturesque area between Maybole and Culzean explained how the sludge has prompted constant complaints to the farmer and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) since it was delivered by a Glasgow company around a month ago. Another neighbour pointed out: “I know things are tough for farmers just now but this is beyond a joke. “They’re bringing this stuff in from Glasgow and we have to put up with the consequences. We have to spend the entire summer with our windows closed because of this. “The smell gets into everything. It’s disgusting.”

Maybole Community Council chairman David Kiltie was also taken aback by the foul stench during a trip to the popular local beach last week, and claimed it could be enough to stop visitors and locals from enjoying the area. Mr Kiltie said: “I must admit it is pretty bad. “This has been a popular area for families to enjoy for generations. It would certainly put me off from spending a day at the beach. “When you live in the country you get used to the country smells, but that’s only for a few days a year and it’s nowhere near as bad as this smell.”

A spokesman for SEPA revealed that farmers are being encouraged to use the recycled sludge by the Scottish Executive and are PAID to take it off their hands. But he explained how similar complaints from neighbours near a farm in the Symington area have already resulted in it being moved on. He said: “This is the same stuff that was previously dumped in the Firth of Clyde and didn’t do the water any good. “One of the Scottish Executive’s policies is to promote its use in agriculture, and I’m told that if its ploughed in properly it is very good for the soil. “Part of the trouble though is that it’s very smelly and farmers can’t plough it in until they’re ready. SEPA are responsible for ensuring that there is no pollution or it does not cause a nuisance.

NOTICE
“We have certainly not taken lightly any of the complaints. In fact, we have agreed with all of them. “It is not the farmer who is responsible for this but a Glasgow company and we have already served an enforcement notice on them. “If they do not take action to manage this by the end of today (Tuesday) or this action is not appropriate, we will probably force them to move it.” Farmer Lyburn insists that neighbours are exaggerating the extent of the problem, but promised to speak to his supplier about covering up the mounds. He added: “The smell was bad in the beginning, but it is a lot better now. It’s not me who is responsible for covering it, and there is nothing I can do about it until it’s time to plough it in, but I will phone the company that deals with it and see what can be sorted out.” He went on: “It is not dangerous. I was told there was no risk with this before I even agreed to accept it. “I also took advice from Scottish Quality Grain who said it was OK, and I’ve been told they’ve been using it in the Home Counties for 20 years.”

WE’LL CUT RED TAPE

They aim to attract funding to provide more training courses for people in Maybole. MAYBOLE’S Over the Rainbow group is helping more people than ever to solve problems and cut through red tape, the AGM heard. At the helm of the group are chairman John Barr, secretary Lynsay Jess, and treasurer Diane Shearer. Diane pointed out: “The committee has been very active in promoting the project during the past year. And a high level of success has been achieved through hard work and co-operation.” John commented: “We have completely refurbished our premises, giving a more professional appearance and increasing comfort for our clients.” He added: “We are now open five days a week, with an extensive range of information on a wider selection of issues. “And we are working with MAP (Maybole Access Point), a new centre with similar aims to ourselves, to increase provision.” Over the Rainbow is attracting younger clients, with 70 aged 16 or under in the first six months of this year, compared to just 24 in the same period last year. And the group encourages training of volunteers, with several courses throughout the year. Lynsay said: “Courses included fire safety, dismantling domestic abuse, committee skills and word processing. “We were awarded an internet-ready computer from BT, and this has proved a boon, enabling clients, volunteers and outreach workers an opportunity to access valuable information.” Future funding bids will include National Lottery, and possible partnerships with other groups. They’re at the forefront of Over the Rainbow’s drive to help local people . . . office-bearers (from left): secretary Lynsay Jess, chairman John Barr, and treasurer Diane Shearer.They aim to attract funding to provide more training courses for people in Maybole.

History group on the move

MAYBOLE Historical Society has arranged two summer outings — the first to Dalquharran Castle at Dailly on Saturday, July 27. Local historian David Hunter will give a guided tour of the castle, which overlooks the River Girvan. The second outing is further afield — to Stirling Castle on Saturday, August 24, with a free afternoon to explore the rest of Stirling. Anyone interested in going on these trips should contact Helen McAdam on (01655) 884255. The society’s calendar for monthly talks (Monday evenings, Maybole Town Hall) during the rest of the year is:

September 2 — Audrey Deakin, Preservation of Stone

October 7 — Arnold Breingan, Culzean and Numismatics

November 4 — Bob McSporran, Dunaskin Heritage Centre

December 2 — Christmas get-together.

Talks in the Spring of 2003 will cover Ayrshire Poor Relief, Scottish Mining Museum, Researching Army History, and Covenanters. Details of dates and speakers will be announced later this year.

It’s good for you, honestly!

A MEN’S health club has been launched in Maybole, following an open health day in the town earlier this year. Keep fit sessions feature at the club, in Maybole Town Hall on Thursday evenings, and newcomers are welcome between 7 and 8.30pm. The free club was launched by Maybole Community Development Group, and more information is available from the group’s High Street office. The organisers say a range of health issues facing men will be tackled if the club takes off.

Mystery as Maybole hotel doors stay shut

MYSTERY surrounds the dramatic closure of the Cassillis Hotel in Maybole town centre. For a sign was posted on the door saying it would be closed only a couple of days. But it has failed to re-open, and no-one was answering the phone at the hotel as the Post went to press this week. There is speculation in the town that a deal to sell the hotel as a going concern may have fallen through. But another rumour doing the rounds claims the premises will be re-developed as housing. The Post was unable to contact hotel boss Matthew ‘Maxie’ Miller, who came to Maybole from Northern Ireland four years ago, for a comment on the hotel’s future. Mr Miller lost his late licence earlier this year, then had it restored thanks to a letter of support from South Ayrshire Council leader Councillor Andy Hill. Another hotel owned by the Miller family — the King’s Arms in Dailly — was gutted by fire more than a year ago, and has not re-opened.

July 5th 2002

A sponsored bounce at a school garden party raised £155 for children's charity Childline. St Cuthbert's Primary Parents' Association organised the party for a double reason - to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee and the completion of a new-look school garden. And a bouncy castle was brought in as a special attraction. Pupils lined up to pay for the privilege of having a bounce, with profits going to Childline. Linzi Davidson from the charity went along to the school to collect the donation, and thank everyone at St Cuthbert's for their generosity. Our picture shows Linzi accepting the cheque from pupils who managed to stay still long enough to hand it over - unlike the day the cash was raised when they were bouncing around like rubber balls!

Enterprising pupils of St Cuthbert's Primary in Maybole raised £400 for school sports equipment and treats. The P7 pupils launched "The Tuck Shop Trolley" with a £40 loan from the Bank of Scotland, and in four months generated a profit of almost £400. The cash was used to buy sports and equioment and also provide trats - a party for infants and a Fun Day at Maybole Swimming Baths for older pupils. Hard working youngsters on the project were: chairman - Claire Strang; vice-chairman - Melissa Paton; secretary - Stephanie McGoughan; treasurer - David McDermott; assistant treasurer - Euan Bryson. Our picture shows the enterprising P7 pupils who ran The Tuck Shop Trolley. They clearly have good heads for business.