Stevenston's Burgh Status 1973 - PDF file

[Hughie]

This PDF file is a copy of a booklet printed in 1973 covering Stevenston's 21st anniversary of becoming a burgh. It was forwarded by Gerard Convery and passed on to him by Bill Tulloch.
Click image to view.

[Hughie]

This and a few other articles have been available to members for some time. Now we're making this one available to the general public - enjoy.

At this date prior to going public it has been downloaded 47 times.

[bennett50]

I have the original booklet

[down south]

Here are some advertisements from local firms congratulating Stevenston on its 21st anniversary of becoming a burgh, in 1973, when the celebrations detailed in the booklet took place. More to follow.

Susan

[sally40bags]

Brings back memories. My first job after leaving school in 1963 was working for old Mr MacDonald at his chemist shop at Stevenston Cross. He was a lovely man.

[down south]

Here are a few more advertisements; for Douglas Motors, the Douglas pub-restaurant, and Ardeer Golf Club, who were putting on a tournament as part of the Civic Week celebrations. My Dad always loyally made sure he bought his petrol at that ICI -brand selling garage.

Susan

[down south]

The final set of advertisements now;first, two local contractors:

And last but not least, congratulations from the A&S Herald itself; gives some idea of what titles they published in those days:

Susan

[down south]

As you can see in the download of the booklet, in 1973 Stevenston held a Civic Week to celebrate the 21st anniversary of their gaining Burgh Status, and here are a few ( though only a very few ) pictures from the various events.

I've already shown one of them, the presentation of the trophy for the homing pigeon contest, and it can be seen ( complete now with names of the participants ) here.

This second one shows Provost Sam Gooding at the presentation of a trophy at the swimming gala to the young winner from Kilbirnie:

And this one shows a group of youngsters at a Road Safety Exhibition put on by the police. Don't know if the sergeant in charge might be a local policeman whom someone might recognise?

PS Turns out that the policeman is unlikely to have been local, but there's a tentative identification here.

Susan

[down south]

I've also come across some articles describing the events, which I shall append here. Here's the first one :

GOOD RESPONSE TO ' STEVENSTON 21' ACTIVITIES

Stevenston Civic Week closes tomorrow ( Saturday ) with the finals of many activities which have taken place throughout the week.

The week began last Saturday with a casting ( angling ) contest on the foreshore, the results of which were : 1, Samuel Thomson ( Stevenston ); 2, William Currie ( Saltcoats ) .

One highlight of the week came on Sunday at Ardeer Golf Club when a crowd of thousands watched three players tie for first prize in the professional-amateur event.

The second of three events on Sunday was an interdenominational " Songs of Praise " on the shore. Almost 300 people attended the service which was conducted by Bailie A Lambie, who was assisted by the Rev A Knox of Ardeer Parish Church and the Rev I Roy of Livingstone Church.

The final event on Sunday was an open sea-angling competition which attracted a very large entry from the area. The winners were : Heaviest catch - 1 , I Goss ( Stevenston ); 2, J Agnew ( Saltcoats ) . Heaviest fish - 1, I Goss ( Stevenston ) ; 2, J Agnew ( Saltcoats ) . Special fish - 1, J Agnew ( Saltcoats ) . Special fish ( junior ) - 1, K Frew ( Independent ).

The heats of the primary schools five-a-side football tournament were held on Monday at Glencairn School Field. Ardeer, Hayocks, Glencairn and St John's took part in the competition with St John's and Hayocks going through to the final the following night. The match, also played at Glencairn Sports Field, was won by St John's 5-2.

Half of the senior citizens of the town were treated to a dinner in Ardeer Recreation Club on Tuesday evening and the other half received their meal at the Recreation Club the following evening.

Also on Tuesday evening over 200 people were at Ardeer Community Centre to see fashions modelled by local girls in a mannequin parade.

A " come and try " sports day at Auchenharvie Playingfields on Wednesday attracted over 600 - about three hundred at each of the afternoon and evening sessions. There were plenty of sports to choose from, including table tennis, volleyball, basketball, golf, keep-fit, rowing machines, athletics, trampolines and netball. Expert tuition was also on hand.

The first two heats of the talent competition were held at Ardchoille Hotel and at the Douglas Restaurant on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. At the Ardchoille Hotel, there were nine entrants with a high standard throughout. The three who won their way through to the final on Saturday at the Douglas Restaurant were William Duffy, Carol Dunlop and John Millar. At the Douglas Restaurant heats the entrants also provided a variety of music of a high standard. Winners of the heat were Les Copland, Joe Burns and Jim Stevenson. Two more heats were held yesterday at Ardeer Tavern and the Thistle Club.

The darts competition held on Wednesday in the Douglas Restaurant was won by the home team who defeated Ardeer Golf Club 4-2 in the final. The two losing semi-finalists were Ardeer Recreation Club and the Grant Arms. The winners received a pint tankard, a bottle of whisky and £4 in cash.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 13th July 1973

Susan

[down south]

And here is the second article, describing the later events of Stevenston Civic Week.

STEVENSTON CELEBRATES HAPPY TWENTY-FIRST BIRTHDAY

The climax to a successful ' Stevenston 21 ' civic week of celebrations was reached on Saturday with a ball at Ardeer Community Centre ( formerly Ardeer Halls which was the scene of much activity in creating the burgh ).

A company of almost 200 people, including about 30 past and present town councillors of Stevenston, attended the function, at which Provost Samuel Gooding expressed his delight at the manner in which the celebrations had been enjoyed.

He said it was an historic week for the town and as provost he was a proud man to have takem part in it. He also spoke of the work carried out on behalf of the townspeople by everyone who had served on the town council since 1952.

Treasurer James Clements addressed the company, providing a brief history of Stevenston and the efforts which had gone into the making of the burgh.

Throughout the week talent contest heats were held, ending on Saturday evening at the Douglas Bar with the finals. The winners were the young Kilwinning group, The New Faces, who collected a prize of £10. Second was Joe Burns who received £6 and third was Hugh Smith who received £4.

Over 30 entries were received for the contest, the heats of which were at the Ardchoille Hotel, the Douglas Bar, the Ardeer Tavern and the Thistle Club.

Another competition which attracted a large number of entrants was the bowling tournament; 240 people competed and the winners were : Ladies' pairs - Mrs Macadam and Mrs Macleod; men's senior pairs - Mr D Wilson and Mr W Fairley; men's pairs - Mr W McLellan and Mr J Clasper; mixed triples - Mrs Hill, Mr S Thomson and A Hutchison ( skip ).

The majority of the activity during the week was seen at Ardeer Community Centre. On Tuesday evening a Mannequin Parade was held, while on Thursday evening 150 of the town's younger generation were at the centre for a pop ball. The music was supplied by Irvine group, Transit.

On Wednesday afternoon the townspeople were invited to visit Auchenharvie Academy to try many of the sports available at the school. Over 600 took up the invitation.

Many people's favourite, a putting competition, was held on Friday evening on the shore green. The winners were : seniors - 1, W Murray; 2, J McCann; juniors - 1, B McBlane; 2, D Hyslop.

The fancy dress parade on Saturday afternoon came as a fine climax to the week's activities despite the inclement weather. About 120 children in fancy dress were accompanied to Auchenharvie sports field by Dalmellington Silver Band.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 20th July 1973

Susan