March 8th 2002

MEMORABLE NIGHT AT IBROX

 March 1st 2002

50 years ago - `The people of Maybole who stand at street corners and criticise the town's affairs yet refuse to support associations which will give them an opportunity to air those views in public were the subject of remarks made by Mr Arthur McColm, chairman of Maybole Citizens' Association, at a meeting in the Town Hall.' - part of a verbatim report. more

March 8th 2002

MAYBOLE firefighters handed over almost £3,000 at their charity dance in the Town Hall on Saturday night. A magnificent cheque for £2,387.50p went to Cancer Research UK, thanks mainly to a bike ride round Arran. There was also £200 for Maybole OAPs - to help with a summer bus trip. A cheque for £250 was handed over for the National Fire Service Benevolent Fund, and £100 has already gone to New York Fire Department. A team of 16 - firefighters from Maybole and Glasgow Airport, along with friends - combined for the cycle ride round Arran. The 56-mile trip was achieved in six hours on a summer's day. And tee-shirts worn by the team attracted donations on the island, to boost the cash raised by sponsorship. Two locals unable to take part also boosted the total by taking part in a sponsored horse-ride at Straiton. Saturday's dance proved a great success, and firefighters thanked South Ayrshire Council Leader Councillor Andy Hill for drawing the raffle. Maybole currently has nine firefighters, all with jobs and families. But there should be 10, and anyone interested in joining them should contact Strathclyde Fire Brigade Divisional HQ at Ardrossan (01294) 607000.

CARRICK Academy pupils have attended half-day training sessions entitled `The Learning Game'. The presentation showed pupils how to ease the strain, to cope better with exam preparation. A highlight was the relaxation time - when pupils were encouraged to think of crossing a river, and imagine a house on the other side! Pupil feedback from the sessions was very positive, with most appreciating its objectives. Although held on the last day of February, a Valentine's disco proved an enjoyable occasion, if not quite as busy as those of previous years. Most pupils in S2 had the chance to visit the Magnum in Irvine for an exhibition entitled `Make it in Scotland'. S2 pupil Sam Barker has won a solar-powered radio in a prize draw run by the South Ayrshire Energy Agency.

KEN Crawford fixed it for a group of eight young members of 1st Maybole Boys' Brigade to visit Ibrox Stadium. The former Maybole man is Rangers Football Club's stadium manager, and was delighted to arrange the dream outing for the youngsters after being approached by local minister Rev David Whiteman, the company chaplain. Also on the trip were BB members from Bo'ness, who were in Maybole for a summer camp last year, when friendships were formed. The Maybole BB lads at Ibrox on Friday were: Mark Barr (10), Stephen Paton (8), Michael Paton (10), Ross Fergusson (10), William Jess (9), Aden Milligan (9), Thomas McGill (10) and Karl McClure (10). Leaders William Boyce, Jim Shields and Martin McCormick accompanied the boys, along with Mr Whiteman and Maybole Community Council chairman David Kiltie. The visitors were met by Mr Crawford, who first took them through the players' tunnel to the edge of the pitch. Then they got a special treat not given to all visitors - a look inside the `home' dressing room. Next, they climbed the famous marble staircase, past the hall of fame, and into the legendary Blue Room. It was remarkable that the youngsters recognised many of the players and managers from previous generations. The Trophy Room was probably of even greater interest, with some amazing gifts among the club's honours. Among them is a bicycle from French club St Etienne, and a carved knight on a horse from the `Battle of Britain' games against Leeds United. There is also a replica of the European Cup Winners' Cup won by Rangers in 1972, and a Golden Boot awarded to Ally McCoist when he was top scorer in Europe. Rangers legend Bob McPhail's medals - said to be worth £250,000 - are there, as is John Brown's Testimonial Trophy. Other memorabilia includes crystal decanter sets, a trophy carved out of a lump of coal, and a gift from Sir Winston Churchill. Mr Crawford's estimate of the total value of mementos in the Trophy Room is £80 million! The visitors went on to the Willie Waddell suite, one of 58 hospitality suites at Ibrox, then out on to the main stand, next to the directors' box. Then they went along a photo-lined corridor of executive offices to the Thornton Suite. Here the boys were presented with match programmes, plus photos and autographs of the players. Mark Barr presented a copy of the Maybole 2000 book of photos to Mr Crawford, who was thanked for organising the super tour.

YOUNGSTERS from Carrick Academy were given an insight into the world of manufacturing, thanks to the efforts of a Maybole firm. Staff from SAS International took time out of their busy schedules to take part in the Making it in Scotland programme aimed at introducing school pupils to industry. The Second Year youngsters were given hands-on experience of the engineering and manufacturing processes that take place at the plant in Murray Gardens. Details of how the sophisticated technology used by the company were explained with the help of computer presentations and intricate models and puzzles. Sheet metal ceil­ing manufacturer SAS is a major employer in Maybole, and staff were delighted to encourage pupils to learn more about how their business operates. Businesses and schools from across Ayrshire took part in the three day event at Irvine's Magnum Leisure Centre last week.

MAYBOLE'S musical talent will feature in shows being staged at the Town Hall on Friday, May 31, and Saturday, June 1. A meeting has confirmed significant interest, and all four schools will take part. So, too, will uniformed organisations, dancers, singers and bands. And there will be a different pro­gramme each night. The idea was sparked by a wish to mark Maybole Community Council's 25th anniversary, and it has been expanded into a celebration of the Queen's Golden Jubilee. Next planning meeting is on Tuesday, March 19, (7.30pm) when it is hoped that the show programmes can be finalised. All groups that have indicated they will take part are asked to confirm this at the meeting.

TINY Tots Playgroup in Maybole was thrilled to welcome special visitor Penguin Pete, accompanied by community officer PC Ian Thornton. Pete and PC Thornton had lots of good advice on keeping safe, and gave the youngsters stickers as reminders. Tiny Tots playleaders thanked the visitors for their sensible advice and friendly chat.

LOOKING BACK: 25 years ago - Agnes Bennett is Maybole's Citizen of the Year for 1977. Mrs Bennett was a town councillor for nine years, until local government was reformed in 1975. But since then she has been involved in many community organisations - among them the community association, the accident prevention committee and the old people's welfare committee.

 March 1st 2002

MAYBOLE'S historic High Street could be enhanced to a much greater extent, the town's business association heard.
Possible improvements were aired at the association's first open meeting of the year, held in Maybole Castle. Iain Wylie, of surveyors/architects Wren & Rutherford, showed impressive illustrations of how the High Street could look. Ronnie Anderson, of Poole Dick Associates, advised on various options, depending on funds available. And the Association will now meet with a South Ayrshire Council official to see how these ideas can be taken forward. In addition, it has been proposed that flower tubs and hanging baskets should have a colour theme, and the suggested colours are blue, gold and red. The charity shop has been booked by the association for a fundraising week, starting Monday, March 11. New members will be warmly welcomed to the Maybole and District Business Association AGM on Maybole Castle on Wednesday, March 6 at 7.30pm. The association plans a business directory, which will include all members and their type of business. This will be delivered to every address in Maybole and district. Enquiries to association secretary Fiona Reid of Fringe Benefits.

GUIDES and Brownies in Maybole paid tribute to Senga Fergusson, who has been a leader for 20 years. But her links with the movement go back even further, as she was herself a Brownie and Guide. Miss Fergusson is Brown Owl of the 1st Maybole Brownie Pack, but girls from the 2nd Maybole Pack also joined in the congratulations. And flowers were presented to Miss Fergusson on behalf of all the Guides and Brownies in Maybole. The presentation took place at the Thinking Day Service, held this year in St Cuthbert's Church. Colours were taken to the service, conducted by Father Jim Hayes, and there were prayers for Guides and Brownies all over the world.

PRESIDENT Ian Sloan welcomed a full company to Mochrum Fishing Club's annual dinner at the Crosshill Arms Hotel. Ian McGregor proposed a toast to the club, and David Bell, of Daiwa Sports, presented the following trophies and prizes: Club champion - John Crane; Kelco Cup - John Crane; Gamesport Shield for heav­iest fish of the season - Jim Lelland and Ian McVittie (tied with rainbows weighing 5lbs 6 ozs). Awayday Trophy - Jim McCreadie; Sloan Brown Trout Trophy - Ian McVittie (brown trout 4 lbs 8 ozs); Boat Awayday Trophy - Jim McCreadie; Junior Open Trophy - Steven O'Connor. Mochrum won the annual inter-club competition against Garpin Angling Club, and Daiwa Sports generously sponsored prizes for these participants: Ian Sloan, Jim McCreadie, Tommy Thom­son, Jim Stevens, John Crane, William McGill, Robert Stewart, Brian Thomson, Steven Johnston and Andy Kean. Alan Murray, the North Carrick and Maybole West councillor, then presented these prizes: Heaviest fish caught in Kelco Cup - John Crane; Club championships - Garry McVittie (June), John Crane (July), Jim Lowe (August), Sandy McVittie (September). John Fairbairn presented the Fairbairn Pairs Trophy to Ian Sloan and Ian Sloan jun. John Kirkpatrick, representing P & R Torbet Outdoor Leisure, Troon and Kilmarnock, handed the Torbet Shield to William McGill, the non-member winner of the awayday competition. Presentations were made to Jim McCreadie and Ronnie Shannon in appreciation of their respective contributions as treasurer 1993-2002 and ticket seller 1993-2001. Day and evening tickets for the coming season will be available at the Ranch Caravan Park, Maybole. The Mochrum Raffle lived up to its billing, well supported by donations from members, friends and guests. The dinner also featured displays from national and local angling enterprises, and president Mr Sloan thanked all who contributed to the evening's success.

BROTHER Brian Speirs is the new man leading one of Ayrshire's oldest Masonic Lodges: Royal Arch Maybole No. 198. Brian was installed as Right Worshipful Master at the Masonic Temple in Maybole's Whitehall. His Installing Masters were Bro Thomas Clewlow PM 198, Bro William Dykes PM 1334, and Bro James Conn PM 1334. Office-bearers for 2002 are: RWM: Brian Speirs; Immediate Past Master: Donald Thomson; Depute Master: Thomas Clewlow Snr PM; Substitute Master: Joseph Hodge; Worshipful Senior Warden: George Gray; Worshipful Junior Warden: James Dowie. Secretary: Michael Brown PM; Treasurer: James McL Muir PM; Director of Ceremonies: Alex McGarvie PM; Senior Deacon: John Graham; Junior Deacon: John Hodge; Inner Guard: Jack Harris; Tyler: Peter Ogg PM; Auditors: John Hay PM 1334, HM 198; Daniel McPherson. Toast list at installation ceremony: Chairman, Grace: Thomas McLanaghan PM 198; The Queen and Craft: Brian Speirs RWM; Grand Lodge of Scotland and Prov­incial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire: James Dowie WJW 198, reply: John Struthers PM 334, Provincial Grand Sword Bearer. Installing masters: Brian Speirs, replies: installing masters; Visiting Brethren: George Gray WSW 198, reply: D. Queen RWM 1334; Lodge Royal Arch 198: John Borland PM 125, reply: James McL Muir PM 198; Ladies, artistes, stewards: John Graham SD 198.

LOOKING BACK: 25 years ago - Former Moderator, the Very Rev Andrew Herron, takes the service at a special service to celebrate the bicentenary of Kirkoswald Church. Lady Ailsa, whose ancestors built the church, is in the congregation, and afterwards youngest Sunday School pupil Kenneth Shannon blows out 200 candles on a birthday cake. 50 years ago - `The people of Maybole who stand at street corners and criticise the town's affairs yet refuse to support associations which will give them an opportunity to air those views in public were the subject of remarks made by Mr Arthur McColm, chairman of Maybole Citizens' Association, at a meeting in the Town Hall.' - part of a verbatim report.

CAIRN Primary pupils proved they had `guid Scots tongues in their heids' in poetry competitions, held as part of Burns' season. The P1 class were all winners, with an entertaining version of Wee Willie Winkie. Other class winners were: P2 (Wee Rid Motor) - Ross Keenan, Louise Martin, Brodie Wallace. P3 (Twa Leggit Mice) - Daniel Wallace, Shannon Brown, Emma Eaglesham. P4 - Kirsty Ireland (Twa Leggit Mice), Megan Money (Voodoo for Mrs Maverick), Emma Alexander (Twa Leggit Mice). P5 (The Ballad of Janitor McKay) - Kevin Foster, Siobhan Wilson, Lyndsey Scott. P6 (Willie Wastle) - Megan Hood, Gemma McFadzean, Aleisha McNeish. P7 (The Evacuee) - Chelsea Henderson, Caro­line Kennedy, Dean Hood.

NEW charity Cancer Research UK is off to a great start in Maybole - collecting a cheque for £550.
The charity was formed by the merger of the Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund.
Local fundraisers raised the cash in a successful week in Maybole's charity shop. May Hay accepted the cheque, and paid tribute to the ladies who worked so hard to raise the cash - Marianne McCreadie, Minnie Gallagher, Pearl Barton, Stella McEwan and Nessie Connolly.

MORE than 100 senior citizens sat down to their annual dinner in Maybole Town Hall on Saturday night. But there was no gas to cook the meal! A gas leak meant the supply was cut, but hall caretaker Derek Walker alerted Transco, and the problem was speedily fixed. "We decided to start the raffle while we were waiting!" said Pearl Barton, chairman of Maybole OAP Association. "And with over 100 prizes, there were plenty left for later," she added. Entertainment was provided by 36 young musicians of the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra, led by Wallace Galbraith. Mrs Barton also thanked Tyson Caterers for an excellent meal, despite the initial emergency, and the local Safeway store for a donation of chocolate biscuits. And she expressed gratitude to all who gave raffle prizes, as well as her own hard-working committee