Maybole Castle Community Trust held its first AGM last week in the castle. In his chairman’s report, Peter Mason told those attending” Maybole is unique in having this castle situated on its main street. “So when the trustees of Cassillis Estate offered it for community use on a very long term lease at a nominal amount this committee was formed. The remit for the Trust was basically to examine the practicalities of this offer and to consider possible future use of the building as a community asset to Maybole and the surrounding area. more

A cheque for a massive £2,420 was handed over to 10 year old Vanessa Riddle in Maybole last Saturday by local postman Alex Gemmell. Earlier this year, Alex walked about 180 miles for charity to raise funds for research into neuroblastoma, a rare cancer that mostly affects children. The money will be going to Joining Against Cancer in Kids (JACK), a charity which provides advice and support for children and families who would like to undertake innovative or experimental treatments for neuroblastoma. They also fund research designed to discover the causes of and cure for neuroblastoma. Vanessa has this type of cancer and Alex got to hear about the problem through her dad Chris who is a colleague in the Territorial Army. more

Fr Stephen McGrattan returned to Maybole last week for a very special presentation. For several years Fr Stephen was padre to the Maybole Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland. Earlier this year he was transferred to Cumnock and had to give up the post. Branch members wanted to recognise his work with them and invited him back to receive a framed map of Scotland showing military groups in the late 19th century. Fr Stephen thanked them for their generosity and congratulated the branch on the work it does locally. Photo shows Fr Stephen, left and George Tevendale, branch vice chairman Fr Philip Kitchen, who has taken on the role of padre, is also pictured.

The congregation of Kirkmichael Parish Church held a social evening in the McCosh Hall recently to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of their minister Rev Gerald Jones. Entertainment was provided by Elizabeth Veitch, from Girvan, and Liz Kelly, from Ayr, who took along some talented school pupils. The Rev Jones was presented with a cheque and a barometer by Alistair Andrew, senior elder at Kirkmichael, on behalf of the congregation.

Last year, Maybole man Sammy Dalziel made a special donation to Rainbow Services Day Care Centre after his wife Mary died. He had sent a donation of £250 and he and his daughter Christine Dolan were invited to the Centre to be thanked by owners Sandy and Alice Abbot. Sammy told them, “Mary enjoyed going to Day Care; Mondays and Wednesdays were her brightest days as she patiently waited on getting picked up. Thanks for taking such good care of her.” Sadly, Sammy himself died recently and Christine has donated the £580 collection taken at his funeral to the same cause. Last week she and her son Lewis took along a cheque to a coffee morning being run to raise funds for the Centre and Christine echoed her father in hoping that the donation will be of good use to what he had called, “such a wonderful place”. more

Milly Galloway with family and friends celebrating her 80th birthday. She was born in the Weaver’s Vennel, now Ladywell Road, and grew up there. After leaving school Milly then to work in the family shop (Mrs Renfrew’s), then became housekeeper to Rev Alexander Williamson minister of the West Parish Church. She has been a resident of Fairknowe House for 2 years.

They’re coming home again. The Macdonald Bros will be back on stage in Maybole Town Hall on Tuesday 30th November to celebrate St Andrew’s Night. Last year’s finale to the Year of Homecoming was a St Andrew’s Night in the Town hall and it was a phenomenal success. Top of the bill were The MacDonald Bros who had come home to the town where they were born and Craig and Brian really raised the roof with their set. With over 100 artistes taking part including the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra and Maybole Pipe Band, the hall was filled to capacity. more

After consulting local people, Maybole Community Association has decided the date of next year's gala. The majority of residents preferred the gala to be on a Saturday rather than a Sunday so it will be held on Saturday, June 11 and the theme will be the 1950s. As next year will be the sixtieth anniversary of Maybole Gala the committee would like as many as possible of the kings and queens from previous years to get in touch. They can do this by either phoning the secretary Margaret Landsburgh on 01655 882318 or writing to her at Mrs M Landsburgh, 20 Whitehall Court, Maybole KA19 7DU.

Town twinners from Troon, Prestwick, Ayr and Girvan travelled to Maybole last Friday evening for an inter-town quiz. Fourteen teams took part and after 90 minutes of a keen contest, the Maybole “A” team emerged as the winners. Prestwick had won the last years in a row and David West graciously handed over the Provost’s Shield to Ian Hewitt, winning captain and treasurer of Maybole Town Twinning Association. Photo shows David West, Alex Davidson, Ian Hewitt, Alistair Hastings and Jim Millar.

Not every wee town has a world champion but Maybole has one now in the shape of pool player Martin Fisher. Martin won the World Blackball Championship title in the Over 40s section earlier this month when he played six matches over six days in Limoges, France. He plays for the Corner Pocket in Maybole and would like to thank owner Paul Zive for all his help. Martin would also like to thank Kirsty McConnachie of the Cassillis for her assistance too. He added, “And my thanks to my wife Roberta for letting me go to Limoges for a week!”

Maybole Bowling Club held their annual Presentation Dance on last Friday October 29. more

Maybole Golf Club. Gents Section. Prize Winners 2010. more

From Alison Purdie, Chair of Cairn Parent Council. Having looked at the consultation document that is to be presented to the Leadership panel we are more determined than ever to oppose this idea. The option they favour is the worst one possible from our point of view - closing Cairn, merging the schools and sending the P7s to Carrick.  If this were truly for the educational benefit of the P7s then South Ayrshire Council would be rolling the idea out for all P7s, not just those in Maybole. It is interesting that this option also provides the Council with the largest saving, according to their figures. more

Mums from Both Cairn and Gardenrose Primaries met together last week to discuss the proposal to close Cairn which will have a serious impact on Gardenrose as well. Their meeting was also attended by David Kiltie, chairman of Maybole Community Council. The parents are keen that the proposal is seen to be a town-wide issue and is not restricted to primary school parents and children. A spokesman for the joint committee said afterwards, “We have agreed that we should do as much work prior to the consultation to show our passion against this proposal. There are two main actions that we feel can be carried out before 23rd November when the proposal will be discussed by councillors. more

Another well-loved face retired from Cairn Primary School’s kitchen last week. Betty Farrell had worked in the school as a dinner lady for an amazing 35 years and celebrated both her 65th birthday and retirement last week. She will be sadly missed by her colleagues for her great sense of humour and of course by the children for her cheery smile. Everyone at Cairn wishes Betty a long and happy retirement.

Children in Need - “Cairn Primary School pupils had a great day fundraising for Children In Need this week. Pupils and staff came to school wearing something spotty and had lots of fun activities throughout the day including making Spotty biscuits, a Spot hunt around the playground and all the children played games of “Sport that Spot” in the Gym Hall. Mrs McDermott made a fabu-licious Pudsey cake to mark the occasion. A great time was had by all. £164 was raised for Children in Need by Cairn.

Pupils from Cairn Primary School took part in a Fun 4s Football Festival at Girvan Academy. Photo to the left shows he boys had a great afternoon and showed great sportsmanship. Well done boys!”

Caption: Anne Mc Millan showing Dr Lorna Cole, from SAC , her Gold Crest Award. Behind them is the poster which Anne produced from her research. Carrick Academy pupil Anne McMillan beat off competition to be awarded a Nuffield Foundation Science Bursary which allowed her to spend the summer on a unique work placement with the Scottish Agricultural College at Auchincruive. In this International Year of Biodiversity, Anne joined a group of French students to work with The Land Economy and Environment Research Group studying wildlife around field margins and uncultivated land near burns and ponds which help protect against pollution. more

Health and wellbeing became the focus of learning as pupils participated in a wide variety of activities during Saint Cuthbert’s Primary School Health week. Many outside agencies in our local and wider community supported the planned activities which allowed the pupils the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of sports , such as Karate, football, jogging and zumba. Pupils also developed their knowledge and understanding of disability awareness and how to improve their health, keep themselves safe and respond to a range of emergency situations. The finale of the week was a visit from Jog Scotland. Their mascot Scotty came along to the Glebe park and awarded Certificates to all pupils who in the course of the four days managed to run 3 ½ Marathons. No mean feat!

Gardenrose Primary pupils will be ‘Taking Centrestage’ shortly to showcase the Music Theatre and performance skills they have been developing with Centrestage Music Theatre from Kilmarnock. The school has enjoyed four workshops with Centrestage under the leadership of Director Fiona McKenzie and her team – Suzanne Robb, Steven Hewitson and Jonny Griffen. The countdown to ShowTime has begun with classes busy rehearsing their special sets ranging from ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ to an ABBA medley from ‘Mamma Mia!’ Carrick Academy students are in on the act too taking on the role as Stage Managers on the big day as Nursery children through to Primary 7 take to the stage.

Gardenrose Primary School Halloween photos

St Cuthbert's School Halloween photos

Cairn Primary Halloween photos