Stevenston - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
5 MARCH 1909

BURNING ACCIDENT

At Stevenston Parish Council meeting a sad burning accident was reported.

It appears that a young man named JOHN PATON, who was presented with the Royal Humane Society’s parchment for saving a lad from drowning two months ago, had been out of work, and one night fell asleep on the top of a boiler at a local foundry. When the steam was blown off he was burned on the head. He was able to walk for assistance, and after his injuries were dressed he was removed to hospital.

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GLASGOW HERALD
5 MARCH 1906

STEVENSTON TRAMWAY SCHEME

At a meeting of the inhabitants of Stevenston held in Woodside Hall on Friday evening, presided over by Mr. Alexander McGregor, chairman of the Parish Council, to consider the proposed tramway scheme for the district, resolutions in favour of the scheme and condemning the action of the Ayrshire County Council in remitting the question to the Roads Committee, instead of the Northern District Committee, were carried almost unanimously.

Mr. Matthew Orr proposed a direct amendment to the resolutions. He thought the streets were too narrow in some parts for tramways, as they would be running within eighteen inches from the kerb, thus constituting a public danger.

There was no seconder to the amendment.

It was also agreed to forward a copy of the resolution, along with a petition signed by the inhabitants, to the promoters.

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GLASGOW HERALD
6 MARCH 1906

DEATH

GEMMELL: At Kenilworth, Stevenston, on the 3rd instant, William Gemmell, aged 71 years, formerly of Vine Nurseries, Kilmarnock.

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GLASGOW HERALD
6 MARCH 1907

ARDROSSAN UNITED FREE PRESBYTERY

At a meeting of the Ardrossan United Free Presbytery held yesterday – Rev. J. Murray Ross, Dalry, presiding – Rev. A. Morris Moodie, Stevenston, in a report on life and work, stated that if there was any change in respect of Sabbath observance it was for the worse. The condition in several districts under the supervision of the Presbytery were well-nigh as bad as they could be, Sabbath labour especially being increasingly prevalent.

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GLASGOW HERALD
7 MARCH 1901

MARRIAGE

WALLACE – GILMOUR: At the Cockburn Hotel, Bath Street, Glasgow, on the 6th instant, by the Rev. William Gray, M.A., Trinity U.F. Church, Cambuslang, William A. Wallace, Ardeer, to Mina Baird, third surviving daughter of Matthew Gilmour, Esquire, J.P., Fernbank, Cambuslang.

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GLASGOW HERALD
7 MARCH 1902

DEATH

MUIR: At Hayocks Farm, Stevenston, Ayrshire, on the 5th instant, Janet McAllister Muir, in her 86th year, widow of Samuel Muir, farmer, late of Hillhead.

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GLASGOW HERALD
10 MARCH 1881

STEVENSTON SCHOOL BOARD

The monthly meeting was held on Monday night – Rev. John Grahame in the chair.

The clerk produced a list of parties summoned before the Board on account of the irregular attendance of their children with a return of attendance, and it was resolved to prosecute five of the defaulters, the clerk to take charge of the prosecution.

Mr. Gemmell then proposed that the Board, acting with other school boards in the district, take into consideration the getting of a general system of free education. He was of the opinion that Government should take education into their own hands, paying for it out of the revenues of the country.

After discussion, the motion was withdrawn, Mr. Gemmell stating that he would bring it up again in an amended form.

It was resolved to petition against Doctor Cameron’s bill for free education.

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GLASGOW HERALD
11 MARCH 1884

BIRTH

KERR: At Woodburn Cottages, Stevenston, the wife of Andrew G. Kerr, ironfounder; a son.

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GLASGOW HERALD
12 MARCH 1902

NOBEL’S EXPLOSIVES COMPANY LIMITED – (ARDEER WORKS WATER SUPPLY) BILL

Intimation has been made to the authorities of the House of Lords by the promoters of this private bill that they do not intend to proceed further with it.

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GLASGOW HERALD
12 MARCH 1909

DEATH

COWIE: At Shore Road, Stevenston, on Thursday, 11th instant, Richard Cowie, ironmonger.

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GLASGOW HERALD
12 MARCH 1954

ARDEER FACTORY EXPLOSION

Three men were killed and four others injured yesterday in an explosion at the I.C.I. factory at Ardeer, Stevenston.

None of those killed was an I.C.I. employee.

The three – SAMUEL PATTISON, Gateside, Barrhead; CHARLES DURNAN, 13 Millglen Road, Ardrossan; and ROBERT MILLDOON, 16 Raise Street, Saltcoats – were employed by the firm’s outside contractors at present working in the factory. All were married.

The injured – ANDREW McDOWALL, Barrhead; GEORGE ANDERSON LENNON, East Lodge, Kerelaw, Stevenston; RICHARD BALL, 25 Reid Terrace, Saltcoats; and JOHN McARTHUR BLAKE, 9 Hill Place, Ardrossan – were taken to Kilmarnock Infirmary and later given blood transfusions.

Three of the injured are Ardeer workers.

The explosion occurred shortly after 8 a.m. during a denitration operation. Its force was felt over a wide area and houses in neighbouring towns were shaken.

An official statement issued by the Nobel Division of I.C.I. Limited said that the cause of the explosion was not known but a full investigation was being carried out.

[meekan]

I remember that Mr Durnan stayed over the back garden from me