Looking Back - Herald files

[hahaya2004]

It could be the U-33, Robert. It's the only one shown near Ardrossan. Click on the green blob for more information.

https://uboat.net/maps/irish_sea.htm

Some more info

https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?10221

Irene

[Robert Cook]

Thanks for that Hahaya.
At 81 I'm still learning about my home town!

Robert

[Hughie]

From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on November 10, 2010

150 YEARS AGO on November, 1860
Another steading has been taken off in the vacant piece of ground opposite the UP Church, Ardrossan. The house to be built there is similar to those already erected.

Mr John Emslie of Jackson & Emslie, after the usual examination in Edinburgh, was swom in before Lord Neaves and admitted a Notary Public.

Frost has arrived in the district and several keen Ardrossan curlers had fine sport on the asphalt pond

Some Saltcoats and Stevenston people formed a Curling Club at a meeting held in the White Hart Inn, Stevenston. The office-bearers appointed were: AW Cunningham Esq, patron; Mr W Lockhart, Mayfield, president, Mr J Anderson, vice-president; Mr Chas Smith, secretary,

100 YEARS AGO on November 11, 1910
Mr James Borland, who was last Friday chosen for the second time as Provost of the Royal and Ancient Burgh of Irvine is a native of the district, having been born at Knowhead Farm in Irvine Parish 48 years ago.

On Monday evening, Mr John Wylie, who has been tenant at Knockewart Fam for the last 12 years, was entertained by a number of friends in the Eglinton Hotel, Ardrossan, to mark the occasion of his leaving for South Carolina where he is taking up the managership of a dairy farm

The 15th annual concert held under the suspices of Dalry Unionist Association took place on Friday evening last in the Public Hall when a musical programme was sustained by Miss B Smith, Miss K McLeod, Mr M Bockett, Mr R Allan, Mr JW Silcox, Miss B Fraser and Miss P McLeod

50 YEARS AGO on November 11, 1960
In order to alleviate flooding in Hyslop Road resulting from improved drainage off adjoining agricultural land a 100 foot trench, 1ft 6ins by 3ft 6ins is to be excavated and a rubble drain formed in the existing manhole at an estimated cost of £46.0
When the Housing Sub-Committee reported that single unit houses were now becoming available at the prefab site, where 12 are being provided, and their applicants on the current provisional house allotment list would not be suitable for tenancies, it was resolved that the houses should be excluded from the list, that they should be offered in turn to single unit applicants at present on the housing applications list, and that, if necessary, further applications should be accepted from duly qualified persons not at present listed.

The Coastguard Station, Kilondonum, was on constant bad weather watch last week, and on the Wednesday life saving crews from Lochranza and Kildonan were called to Pirnmill after the puffer Kaffir was reported to be in distress. She was later stated to be safe.

A programme of repair work for 1960-61 affecting Moorpark Road (West), Donaldson Avenue, Oakland Drive, Misk Knowes and Trelawney Terrace, under agreement with the Limmer and Trinidad Asphalt Company Ltd at a total cost of more than £3000 has been approved by Stevenston Town Council, who also have accepted an offer the lowest of three received by the same company to repair and re-surface 1,500 square yards of Middlepart Road within the burgh boundary for £312 10s.

A private car and a bus were in collision at the junction of High Road, Saltcoats, with Parkhouse Road, and Sorbie Road, Ardrossan, at 11.15am on Sunday. Both vehicles were damaged and but no one was injured.

Repeated complaints by workers to and from Ardeer factory about being held up at the station level-crossing gates- for eight minutes in one instance were mentioned by Councillor J Lewis at Monday's meeting of Stevenston Town Council Bailie J Lumsden suggested that the institution of some type of warning light system on either approach to the crossing might help, and Bailie J Clements thought the solution lay in the construction of a new access road to the factory, as envisaged in the County Development Plan.

25 YEARS AGO on November 15, 1985
An angry war veteran this week launched an attack on the disgracefial tumout of local townsfolk at Armistice Day parades. Seventy-year-old William McKay of Boydholm Road, Androssan was captured by German troops during his time as a member of the Royal Engineers in World War Two. And he saw action on D-Day at Normandy Beaches and in Belgium. But forty years after the end of the war, he is bitter at the lack of feeling in the Three Towns for remembrance parades
"People in Britain were not hit all that badly during the war. Alright they had rationing but it was nothing like it was in Belgium or France. They forget what it was all for
"If only there could be more people to take an active interest in what went on when we were at war. No one cares nowadays," he said.
Mr McKay was captured by Germans in 1945 after being seriously injured by bullets, which hit him in the face, leg and neck
But the plucky corporal managed to talk his captors out of holding him.
In fact he managed to get them to give themselves up so the British Forces and for his bravery he was promoted to Sergeant.
Mr McKay joined the Army in 1939 when the war began and was involved with it until 1946. He said after a while he became hardened to the sight of young men being killed right beside him.
But he never felt bittemess towards the German peuple.
"We were all at war I even managed to socialise with a German girl.
"After the war was over I returned to Germany where I married my wife Margaret and we lived there for over two years."
Mr McKay was presented with the France and Germany Medal, Battle of Britain Medal, Defence Medal and the Belgian Croix de Guerre.

As cook in the pot, Georgina Hastings sure is a big hit with the kids.
For Georgina, school cook at James Reid School, Saltcoats, came second in a national competition. The kids at James Reid School nominated her for the prize because they know what makes a good recipe for success.

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original

[Penny Tray]

From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on November 10, 2010

25 YEARS AGO on November 15, 1985
An angry war veteran this week launched an attack on the disgracefial tumout of local townsfolk at Armistice Day parades. Seventy-year-old William McKay of Boydholm Road, Androssan was captured by German troops during his time as a member of the Royal Engineers in World War Two. And he saw action on D-Day at Normandy Beaches and in Belgium. But forty years after the end of the war, he is bitter at the lack of feeling in the Three Towns for remembrance parades
"People in Britain were not hit all that badly during the war. Alright they had rationing but it was nothing like it was in Belgium or France. They forget what it was all for
"If only there could be more people to take an active interest in what went on when we were at war. No one cares nowadays," he said.
Mr McKay was captured by Germans in 1945 after being seriously injured by bullets, which hit him in the face, leg and neck
But the plucky corporal managed to talk his captors out of holding him.
In fact he managed to get them to give themselves up so the British Forces and for his bravery he was promoted to Sergeant.
Mr McKay joined the Army in 1939 when the war began and was involved with it until 1946. He said after a while he became hardened to the sight of young men being killed right beside him.
But he never felt bittemess towards the German peuple.
"We were all at war I even managed to socialise with a German girl.
"After the war was over I returned to Germany where I married my wife Margaret and we lived there for over two years."
Mr McKay was presented with the France and Germany Medal, Battle of Britain Medal, Defence Medal and the Belgian Croix de Guerre.

Mr and Mrs McKay lived in Boydston Road, Ardrossan, and were lovely people. I knew them through their late son, Douglas.

[Hughie]

From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on November 17, 2010

150 YEARS AGO on November, 1860
Mr Russell, shipbuilder, launched a ship the "James" of Campbeltown. She was 63 feet in length and could carry up to 100 tons. The carpenters met in Mrs Jamieson's Railway Hotel, Ardrossan, to celebrate the occasion.

The election of a registrar for West Kilbride took place and the candidates for the office were Mr Peter McConchie, parish teacher, and Mr Robert Dunn, postmaster. When the chairman of the Parochial Board was informed that they had each received 11 votes, he gave his casting vote in favour of Mr Dunn, who was duly elected.

Saltcoats Young Mutual Improvement Society held a discussion on "Ought Ministers to be Total Abstainers."

100 YEARS AGO on November 18, 1910
The Whiting Bay Literary and Improvement Trust has acquired, on terms favourable to both parties, the build- ing formerly occupied as a temporary church by the local United Free congregation, and has converted it into a public hall for the district.

At the annual meeting of Auchenharvie Curling Club held in Saltcoats on Friday evening the following office bearers were appointed: vice-presidents, Mr James Campbell and Mr John Duncan; secretary and treasurer, Mr Hugh A Hamilton; representative for Eglinton Trophy, Mr Hugh Thomson; ice marshal, Mr Harry Archibald.

Captain Duncan Frederic Campbell, DSO was yesterday formally adopted as the Unionist candidate for North Ayrshire.

50 YEARS AGO on November 18, 1960
When Provost Robert Lambie tonight officially opens the Pavilion Bowl, Saltcoats - Scotland's first civilian ten-Pin bowling centre - he will be putting the finishing touches to a project which has taken just over two and a half months to complete.
In that time, all the work of turning the Beach Pavilion into a six-lane bowling alley has been accomplished under the direction of the lesee, 31-year-old Mr Norman McClain.
After the Provost declares the centre open, the game of ten-Pin will formally be inaugurated by Scottish international footballer, Eric Caldow, of Rangers, who will bowl a golden ball. Because accommodation is not sufficient to allow members of the public to attend the opening ceremony in addition to the large representative gathering invited, the Pavilion Bowl will not be open for normal use until tomorrow (Saturday) at 10am.
Mr McClain has hopes of extending the bowling centre in order to provide a further six lanes. His project in Saltcoats has attracted much attention and favourable comment locally.

During the period of the present foot and mouth emergency the Scottish Association of Young Farmers' Clubs has decided to cancel all proficiency tests and also national and area activities involving in any way the use of livestock. The Association also expects county associations and clubs similarly to abstain from engaging in activities directly using livestock.

Congratulations to Sub-Officer Brennan and Firemen Gordon, Duffield and Martin of the local Fire Brigade in Kilbirnie who have completed 20 years' service and are now eligible for long service and good conduct medals.

The following articles have been found and handed in at Saltcoats Police Station: - A silver locket, in the shape of RAF wings, containing photographs and a carton containing packets of margarine. Two purses containing...

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original

[Hughie]

From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on November 24, 2010

150 YEARS AGO on November, 1860
THE quantity of pig iron shipped from Ardrossan during the last week in November amounted to 4459 tons.

The Earl of Eglinton has purchased a residence in Upper Belgrave Street which was formerly the home of Lady Charles Wellesley.

Newspapers received into Ardrossan Reading Room during the past 12 months and afterwards sold realised £5 or about a third of their original cost.

100 YEARS AGO on November 25, 1910
At Kilwinning Higher Grade Public School last Monday, the staff and pupils met in a social capacity and presented Mr Robert Conn MA with a mahogany bookcase bureau and inlaid mahogany chime-clock on the occasion of his leaving to take up the headmastership of West Kilbride Public School.

Mrs Pearson presided at the annual meeting of the Ardrossan District of the Ayrshire Women's Unionist Association held at the Assembly Hall, Ardrossan on Tuesday evening when there was a short political address followed by an enjoyable concert programme.

How times have changed! Forty or fifty years ago Italian women who, with their menfolk, came to this country, went around the streets playing barrel organs. for money. If one gave them a copper they took from the cage" a lovebird which picked out of an open drawer a small piece of paper with one's fortune printed on it. The women wrote coloured headscarves which were a source of merriment to Scottish women. But now the headscarf is all the fashion. So are the berets which used to cause amusement when they were worn by Spanish seamen; also the jeans. which when once worn by coolies were regarded as horrible.
Foreigners have certainly given us a lend in many dress styles.

50 YEARS AGO on November 25, 1960
Last week Stevenston Police were called to a scheme house to free an imprisoned cat. Workmen had removed some of the brickwork in order to effect a repair In doing it they did not notice that a cat had found its way under the floorboards. Police had one of the boards lifted and released the cat, which was none the worse for its experience.

Last Sunday two Saltcoats boys William Dickson (H), 2 St Lawrence Place and Jim Sinclair (15) 38 Old Raise Road, in the mood for an adventure, went to the quarry at Stevenston where they started to make a raft. Gathering some wood they lashed it together and set sail. For as long as their poles could reach the bottom of the quarry they made good progress, but with the water becoming deeper they were son drifting helplessly. As darkness fell the youngsters were spotted by a local man who informed the police. Using a collapsible dinghy, a Saltcoats man rescued one of the boys, whose companion had, by this time, also been brought safely ashore. Parents should warn their children to keep well clear of this quarry, which is deep extremely dangerous.

A delivery of poor quality coal could force am Ardrossan school to send its pupils home.
Stanley Primary School headmaster Francis Welsh has warned parents that classes will be scrapped if the temperature falls too far
He fears the coal will not be enough to heat the school on particularly windy day's. The school is not well-insulated and is fitted with metal windows which are notorious for being a poor fit," said Mir Welsh. We have experience in the past that cold weather can cause the temperature in the school to drop by up to 10 degrees.

25 YEARS AGO on November 29, 1985
A major row was this work averted over plans to award golf star Sam Tomance the district's top civic honour, Councillors interrupted a public meeting to find out if Sam, a native of Largs, was on an anti-apartheid blacklist. They left members of the press and public in the council chambers as they established that the golfer's name was not on a United Nations list off sportsmen who have played in South Africa. And when they resumed their meeting they agreed to make Mr Torrance an Honorary Freeman of Cunninghame at a civic reception on December 17. After the meeting councillors were tight-lipped at the reason for the interruption, called at short notice by convener Teresa Beattie,
But the Herald has learned the recess was called to allow officials to check the UN blacklist. It's not sure what would have happened to Sam had his name been on it. One councillor said it would have certainly sparked a division within the controlling Labour group.

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original

[Hughie]

From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on December 1, 2010

150 YEARS AGO on December, 1860
From 1st December the freight charge from Ardrossan Harbour is advanced to Ss 3d per ton to Liverpool Rancom, Fleetwood and Morecambe. To the Bristol Channel it remains at 7s.

Mr Begg, a converted Hindoo, preached in the UP Church, West Kilbride, last Sunday forenoon and again in the afternoon

A new steam crane is being erected at Androssan Harbour opposite the Pilot House. The crane will greatly facilitate the loading and discharging of vessels,

According to Bells Life, Mr Merry, MP for the Falkirk District of the Burghs, is the most successful winner on the turf this season. The sum won by him amounted to £20,921. Lord Glasgow won £5585

100 YEARS AGO on December 2, 1910
At a meeting of the North Ayrshire Central Liberal Association held in Kilmarnock Inst Saturday afternoon, Mr AM Anderson, KC, was formally adopted as Liberal candidate for North Ayrshire at the coming General Election

Lodge St Molios, No 774 met on Friday evening, 18th November, in the Parish Hall, Lamlash when the following office-bearers were installed: RWM; Bro AD Hamilton, SM, Bro James McMillan, SW; Bro IS Currie, JW Bro J McMillan, secretary, Bro G McGowan, treas, Bro W McFarlane; SD Bro James Carrie, JD Bro A McMillan IG Bro J McConnell; OG Bro Jas Crawford.

The annual social gathering of the congregation at St Andrew's Episcopal Church, Ardrossan, took place on Wednesday evening, when the Rev Alex Copland presided, and songs were rendered by Miss Copland, Mrs Wim Dodds, Miss Meadows, the Rev Robert Hay Boyd and Hugh Gillespie.

50 YEARS AGO on December 2, 1960
Mr. Joseph Brodie, 6 Carrick Place, Ardrossan, Collector of Dues for Ardrossan Harbour Company retired on Wednesday after fifty years" service with the Company. To mark the occasion ten of the colleagues called at his home and, on behalf of the staff, Mr Shields, the secretary of the Company, presented Mr Brodie with a portable radio. Mr Brodie, who is a well-known figure in shipping circles, was a keen amateur footballer in his younger days and up to the time of his illness was a keen golfer. He is a most sincere man and has a likeable nature. Joe and I have been friends since boyhood days and as young men we played for the same amateur football team.

A smash and grab mid took place in Main Street, Stevenstion, on Tuesday night when the window of a wireless shop was broken and two portable radios were stolen. The incident happened about 11pm and the police are making investigations.

The number of crimes and offences committed in Ayrshire during the third quarter of a1960 was 2342, an increase of 151 compared with the same period last year. The number of persons apprehended or cited was up by 197 to 1705 (1598 males and 107 females). The incidence of juvenile crime was also higher.

When a heavy vehicle was turning into Howgate from Dalry Road in Kilwinning on Monday it knocked the globe off the Belisha beacon.

An area of ground extending to ?.15 acre, surplus to housing requirements, at Lylestone, Kilwinning, is to be sold by Ayr County Council to Irvine District Council who want it for a playing field,

Only seven months after Saltcoats Burgh Licensing Board had granted an application by Messrs James R Smith and George Smith Jr to provide new licensed premises on a site in Raise Street, the finishing touches were being put to the completed building. That's quick work by anyone's standards and no mean feat when one realises that the premises. The Elms are among the most attractive in the West of Scotland.

25 YEARS AGO on December 8, 1985
Mentally handicapped schoolchildren in Saltcoats have had their traditional festive fun spoiled by mindless thieves. The severely handicapped children at Craigbank School in Montgomerie Crescent were devastated to find on Wednesday morning that thieves had smashed their way into the school and made off with over £100 in cash. The money was to be used to take the children to the pantomime and give them all Christmas presents. The mean thieves also stole a microwave which the children had won a few months ago in a competition to invent a computer programme. A colour television and several radio cassettes were also taken in the inconsiderate raid. And now the school is faced with the financial headache of going ahead with the planned yuletide festivities and leaving nothing in the school fund. But it's a problem headmistress at Craighan, Amelia McLennan, will have to deal with. She is resolute that the Christmas fun will go on "Christmas cannot be scrapped because of these thieves. There is now way that I can disappoint the chil dren, We will just have to take more money from our funds and pay for the pantomime and presents.

Twenty Saltcoats shops were plunged into darkness on Friday when a low voltage cable fault in the new pedestrian precinct cut off their electricity. An electricity board spokesman said this week: "The fault was discovered on Friday and affected about 20 consumers, Whilst it was being traced there were a number of failures. "The fault was eventually traced on Sunday and is now repaired."

Work has begun to give Princes Street a new facelift and save it from the bulldozers. The Three Towns Housing Association received £450,000 from the govemment to enable them to modernise and improve the area but as this money has to be spent by the end of March it has been spread throughout the three towns area.

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original

[exile]

50 YEARS AGO on December 2, 1960
A smash and grab mid took place in Main Street, Stevenstion, on Tuesday night when the window of a wireless shop was broken and two portable radios were stolen. The incident happened about 11pm and the police are making investigations.
___________________________________________________________________________________________

What shop would this have been?
Napier's maybe ??

[Hughie]

From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on December 8, 2010

150 YEARS AGO on December, 1860
Last Sabbath evening no services were held in any of the Ardrossan churches.

On Friday, December 21, at Mill Farm Loch, Ardrossan, members of the Castle Curling Club played for the Provost Barr medal. After a good day's sport the nink skipped by Mr Boyd won for the second year in succession.

The second of a course of 12 popular lectures in connection with the Glengarnock Young Men's Association was delivered in the schoolroom.
About three hundred young men were present under the chairmanship of Mr William Keddie.

100 YEARS AGO on December 16, 1910
Mr AM Anderson, the Liberal candidate, was elected MP for North Ayrshire at the general election with a majority of 354 over the Unionist candidate, Captain WF Campbell.

The staff sergeants and sergeants of the Ardrossan Territorials this week held their annual supper in the drill hall.

The members of West Kilbride Amateur Dramatic Association this week presented a Mock Trial in the Public Hall. Those taking part were Messrs James Oliphant, Hugh Miller, Andrew Oliphant, James S Marshall, James Todd, Miss M Cameron and Miss Clelland.

50 YEARS AGO on December 16, 1960
Ardrossan Police Station was at one time located behind the old Town Hall. That was more than 100 years ago. Since the present building was erected many changes have taken place and improvements have been made - several of them in recent years. The present layout is a big improvement. The inquiry desk is to the left as you enter the building and the charge room is also straight ahead.
This room is also used for taking statements and if the person or persons being interviewed are elderly there are east chairs for their comfort. The sergeant's room is well-laid out. In this room he receives inspectors, superintendents or other higher-ups in the Force, if the charge room is busy there is another room upstairs which can be used for this purpose. The policemen's quarters are upstairs. Here they can cook their meals and, if they wish, have a hot bath before going off-duty.

Sixty temporary postmen are being engaged to cope with the expected Christmas rush in Saltcoats and Ardrossan, Extra sorting offices will be opened in a portion of the Beach Pavilion.

25 YEARS AGO on December 13, 1985
Teachers industrial action has hit a Higher Geography class at Saltcoats St Andrew's Academy. On Wednesday pupils should have been sitting the third part of their Higher 'prelim -but a teacher refused to supervise the pupils in the absence of a colleague, in line with EIS union policy.

A major Ayrshire soft drinks company has opened a new depot in Ardrossan. Carrie's, whose headquarters are in Auchinleck, opened the depot at Dalry Road last week. But it will not create any new jobs, at least for the present

Saltcoats man Sammy McGivern, who plays for Kilmarnock Football Club, currently at the top of the First Division, received an unexpected boost last week. The 21-year-old was runner-up in the Fine fare Scottish Footballer Of the Month awards, bringing honour to both himself and the club. It is believed this is the first time a First Division player has come so close to picking up the award.

Rates in Cunninghame look set to rise steeply due to the Government slashing the district's rates support grant.

District Councillors are poised to spend millions of pounds on advertising a meeting to oppose apartheid.

A hundred and one council homes may need £25,000 each spent on them, unless an experiment works. CDC's housing committee has agreed to an experiment from a Glasgow paint manufacturer in a bid to solve dampness and paint-peeling problems in Stevenston homes. A few houses in the Muir Drive area of the town will be selected as "guinea pigs".

Traffic could once more be flowing along Saltcoats' newly-pedestrianised Dockhead Street -but only for a few weeks. The Three Towns Housing Associatoin is rehabilitating property at the comer of Bradshaw Street. Some of the work will have to be done underground, blocking off Countess Street to traffic.

Bearded centre-forward lan McHarg blasted his way into the record books on Saturday with a five- star display which include an incredible EIGHT goals in Beith Juniors 10-1 win over Burghhead in the second round of the Scottish Cup. Everything the former Cumnock and Irvine Meadow player did turned to gold against the team from the north and his amazing scoring feat included seven goals in the first half.

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original

[Hughie]

From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on December 15, 2010

150 YEARS AGO on December, 1860
MESSRS Baird and Banks have made a second distribution of the legacy left to the poor of Saltcoats by the late Mr Crawford.

Last week we dropped a word for the deserving Letter- Carriers, and this week we bespeak for the Bell-Ringer of Saltcoats, the Liberality of the inhabitants. Week out and week in he plies his daily task, entirely dependent on the sum that may be voluntarily raised for him at the New Year, and when it is considered that during the working week the bell rings at half past five in the moming to call workmen to their daily task, his claim for a handsome reward should not be overlooked. Let it be in money, not in bread and cheese, buns and whisky. He has given his labour, let him now receive his hire.

Mrs C Neillie and the Misses Neillie, Ardeer House, have I sent to Mr Barclay, Session Clark, Dairy, a liberal supply of flannels and warm winter clothing for the deserving poor of the Parish in which they long resided.

100 YEARS AGO on December 23, 1910
Mr Alfred McNaughton, Saltcoats was on Monday night re-elected President of Paisley Liberal Club. Mr. McNaughton is also President of Saltcoats Liberal Club.

Mr Robert Smith, JP, has been elected to the responsible and dignified position of Chairman of Kilwinning Parish Council. He is a valued member of the Town Council and an ex-Baillie. He is also a member of the School Board and a senior member of the Parish Council

Mr John Dymock, contractor, West Kilbride was on Tuesday installed into the chair of No 314 Royal Arch.

Mr A Hugh Douglas, late factor of Arran, left his position last Monday to take up his new one in Yorkshire. Mr George Ladler has succeeded him in the Arran Factorship

50 YEARS AGO on December 23, 1960
The arrival of the Ocean Tanker "Blyth Adventurer at Ardrossan Harbour last Sunday was an event of special importance to a well-known Ardrossan family. On board the vessel were Saltcoats cafe proprietor Mr Owen Kelly, his mother and his aunt, Mrs Sarah Cairnic from Ayr. Mr Kelly's brother Frank is captain of the ship and this is the first time in his career that any vessel in which he is serving has called in at Ardrossan. In fact, at 18,234 tons deadweight she is the third-heaviest vessel ever to call at Ardrossan. The crew is Chinese and all the officers are British

A Saltcoats reader informs us that when standing at a grave near the reservoir side of Ardrossan Cemetery on Thursday of last week he was startled by gunfire. "I went to the gate and saw a young fellow with a dog," he said. "He had a gun under his arm and when he saw me he laughed. On the water were two wild birds which he had shot. What I want to know is, was this his job of work?"

25 YEARS AGO on December 20, 1985
A song and dance about a military two-step ended up with a school's Christmas Party being disrupted and some pupils "banned from the proceedings. Like many other schools this year Ardeer Primary is not having school Christmas parties because of the teachers' dispute, but last week the school's Parent Teacher's Association held a discotheque for the children.
But when they decided to interrupt the disco music and get the children to do a military two-step some of the older pupils objected and refused to take part. The parents who were running the party decided the only option open to them was to take action and ban the rebel pupils from the rest of the event. Head teacher Linda Convery said this week the problem was caused by several things, one being a lack of sufficient supervision. The dispute is predicted to be over by next June, when parties will be held for the youngsters who missed out at Christmas.

A Saltcoats man has been jailed for 60 days - for telling chip shop staff he wanted more than was on the menu. Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard how the incident started when the man, an unemployed labourer, approached a member of staff outside the premises and made an insulting remark of a sexual nature about one of their female colleagues. He was asked to leave but refused and began shouting and swearing. The police were called and the accused-who admitted the offence in court- continued the bad language and demanded to be allowed into the shop. He was subsequently arrested. His lawyer said his client had been out drinking in Kilwinning that day and his recollection of the incident was "unclear".

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original

[Hughie]

From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on December 22, 2010

150 YEARS AGO on December, 1860

A FINE miling cast by Messrs Goodwin & Coy Ardrossan was placed in position at the front and side of the New Free Church, Ardross

Messrs Boys and Stewart, Boatbuilders, Saltcoats, built and launched a skiff for an Irvine owner

Messrs Fyfe and Son, Fairlie, launched from their yard a fine smack of 102 tons named Foam. She was built for a Dublin owner.

A concert took place in the Temperance Hall, Saltcoats conducted by members of the Saltcoats Cilee? Club Mr D Kerr acted as leader.

Ardrossan Town Council held their quarterly meeting on January 2. In the absence of Provost Barr, Bailie Shearer presided.

100 YEARS AGO on December 31, 1909
The Annual General Meeting of the Arran Horticultural Society was held in Lamlash.

On Thursday evening a public meeting was held in the town hall, Ardrossan to make a presentation to Mr A R Muir, Ardrossan of the awards by the Carnegie Hero Fund and the Royal Humane Society for saving the lives of seven persons. Provost Christie made a presentation to Mr Muir of a cheque for £10 and a testimonial.

On Tuesday evening the stirring nautical and domestic drama The Unknown was staged in the Assembly Hall, Ardrossan by the Ardrossan Amateur Dramatic Club in the presence of a large audience.

50 YEARS AGO on December 31, 1960
On Christmas Eve a fruiterer's lorry being pulled by a horse was in collision with a woman who was passing the animal. The woman required medical attention.

Last Saturday a private car was in collision with and knocked down 18 yards of railing at Saltcoats railway station

Several towns in the district have large Christmas trees erected in their public places. More and more householders have small trees on display in their front windows.

Some shopkeepers in the district state that more money was spent this year than has been the case for a few years and as evidence of this children have been seen in the streets with expensive gifts. Changed days from the time when parents considered a spinning top to be an expensive enough gift.

It is fifty-five years this Hogmanay since Ardrossan Pipe Band made their fine public appearance. Arriving at the Cross, they piped out the old year and in the new

About fifty years ago on New Year's Day all young persons were dressed in their Sunday "best".
They gathered outside their favourite wee shop where they bought fireworks, Boston cream drinks and other things popular at that time.

The members of the Boilermakers Society, who were among 500 men paid off at the new atomic plant at Hunterston because of recurring unofficial strikes, met at Greenock last Saturday. They heard that the union are now more hopeful of a settlement than they have been before.

The annual dinner and dance of the Metallic Manufacturing Company Lad, Ardrossan, was held in the Eglinton Arms Hotel, Ardrossan on Friday, December 11 when a gathering of more than 100 was presided over by Mr T Mair Wilson, a director of the company, who introduced the guests and gave them a hearty welcome.

25 YEARS AGO on December 27, 1985
A major jobs boom is likely at Hunterston next year for contraction company UIE is planning to set up a base at the ore terminal to repair oil rig platforms.
A Herald source said this work that were likely to be 1000 jobs created immediately with the possibility of another thousand in the long term. But Joe Craig managing director of UIE in Clydebank said at this point in time it would be impossible to predict just how many jobs could be created. The company do not know whether they would have contractual work or repair jobs. The company, which is Scottish-based with French shareholders, runs a shipyard in Clydebank and would start production next year.
It has earmarked the Hunterston ore terminal site as in number one choice because of its proximity to the Clydebank shipyard.

A Cunninghame MP came under fire this week Councillor Tom Dewar described John Corrie Cunninghame North's vanishing MP "John Come is quickly becoming unrecognisable," he told members of CDC's economic development committee last week Very seldom do we see him taking part in anything The committee was discussing in request that MPs support the campaign for the reopening of the Polkmunet Colliery in West Lothian.

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original

[Hughie]

From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on January 5, 2011

150 YEARS AGO on January, 1861
LIEUTENANT Emslie, in the name of Mrs Stevens, presented Ardrossan Artillery Corps with a handsome bugle. Captain Moffat, in the name of the Corps, accepted the gift.

West Kilbride Curling Club played a friendly game for four bowls of meal to be given to the poor.

At a meeting of Saltcoats Young Men's Mutual Improvement Society, Mr Robert Orr read an essay on "The History Of The Church of Scotland and the Disruption.

The Earl of Glasgow has, within the last month, sent to the Minister of Kilbirnie Parish upwards of £30 to be distributed in coal amongst the poor.

In one work 4.206 tons of pig iron was shipped from Ardrossan Harbour. During the same period there were 33 arrivals and 55 sailings.

50 YEARS AGO on January 13, 1961
On Monday, January 2, forty adults and forty children of the Lambie family met in the Labour Hall, Saltcoats, where they had an enjoyable reunion from three to six p.m. There are three sons and eight daughters in the Lambie family, four of whom are J.Ps. Mr Robert Lambie is Provost of Saltcoats and his wife is a former Provost of the Burgh the first time a man and wife have held this position in Saltcoats. The District Nurse at Troon is a Miss Lambie, JP, who often sits on the Juvenile Court bench. Mr David Lambie was a councillor in Kilwinning and Mr Tom Lambie, JP, was a District councillor in Stevenston. Provost Lambie and Police Judge Mrs Lambie have a son, David, who is a BSc and a schoolteacher in Glasgow. He stood as a Labour candidate at the General Election for Bute & North Ayrshire but was unsuccessful.

Last Saturday forenoon a cat lay dead at the Gas Board building in Princes Street, Ardrossan, until the Police arrived and had it removed.

On Wednesday of last week a car travelling towards Kilbirnie, crashed into a fence on the Lochwinoch - Kilbirnie road at Lochridge Farm.

Battle Hymn, showing at the George Cinema in Kilbirnie this weekend, demonstrates how a Minister and wartime Colonel (Rock Hudson) salves his conscience after accidentally bombing a German orphanage. On Monday and Tuesday the main film is Sink The Bismarck, an excellent account of the sinking of the famous German battleship in 1941. Another of the well- known comedy series, Carry On Constable, is showing at mid-week

The chemist's shop of Messrs Cockburn and Company Ltd, in Princes Street, Ardrossan, was broken into between 9pm and 10.40pm last Saturday and a small sum of money was stolen from the till. Entry was gained by breaking a glass panel in the door of the shop. The police are investigating the incident.

An attempt may be made within the next few days to refloat an American cargo ship, the Harry R Jones, which went aground at the Inches, Ardrossan, early on Thursday.

25 YEARS AGO on January 10, 1986
A potential major employer has been issued with shock ultimatum by the Transport & General Workers' Union use registered dockworkers or you don't come in. UIE, a heavy fabrication company, has earmarked part of the Hunterston ore terminal site as a possible base for repairing oil rigs. This site is thought to be the most favourable, but the company has also looked at other locations. Spokesman for the T&GWU Mark McCallum said: "The company mast realise this is a registered port and only registered dockworkers can handle cargo. If they try to bring it in without us they will not come in."

Local travel agents have been experiencing a record boom in early bookings for summer holidays abroad this year. One firm said they had taken four or five times as many bookings for holidays in the past month compared with bookings at this time last year.

More than 1,000 pupils in Ardrossan were given an extra holiday this week when a boiler burst in the old Ardrossan Academy building. Depute rector at the Academy James Reid said that first, second and third years were sent home after the morning interval on Wednesday

"We are hoping to get gas heaters in so that we can get the pupils back in," he said
The burst boiler caused a large amount of flooding, but this was cleared by a local contractor and no real damage was caused. Fourth, fifth and sixth-year pupils were not sent home because of the nearness of exams.

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original