Ardrossan - On This Day In History

[George Ardrossan]

27 NOVEMBER

27 November 1885
WINTER PASTIMES
We would remind fishermen and others who have time on hand to pay a visit to the Good Templars’ Hall, Glasgow Street where they may pass and hour very pleasantly on the cold winter evenings. A variety of pastimes can be engaged in amid the most comfortable surroundings.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 27 November 1885

27 November 1901
IN MEMORIAM - JAMES TYRE, DRAPER, ARDROSSAN
The late Mr James Tyre, a well-known figure has been taken from our midst this week and Ardrossan people at home and abroad will note with regret the passing away another of those worthy men who were identified with the development of the town during the last half century. Mr James Tyre, draper, died on Wednesday evening (27 November 1901) aged eighty-seven years and eight months. A native of West Kilbride, he went to Glasgow in early life and served his apprenticeship to the drapery trade in Simpson’s well-known establishment at the corner of Jamaica Street. About the year 1844, he came to Ardrossan and started business in premises where the Glasgow and South-Western Railway Station now stands. About fifty years ago, he removed to the part of Princes Street in which his business is presently being conducted and built up a first-class trade. He was a member of the Established Church, a member who for long took an earnest and active interest in its work. Public matters received also from him a share of his time and energy and for several terms, he occupied a seat at the Council table. He was highly respected by all. The funeral will be a public one and takes place tomorrow afternoon (30 November 1901) at 3 pm. Mr Tyre came from a family noted for longevity. Of eight members of that family, two of whom are still living, two of whom are still living, the total ages amount to 664 years - truly a remarkable figure.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 29 November 1901

27 November 1901
ARDROSSAN COOPERATORS’ SUPPER AND DANCE
The directors and employees of the Ardrossan Cooperative Society Limited had an enjoyable supper and dance in the Town Hall, Ardrossan on Wednesday night (27 November 1901). Mr Robert Alexander, president, occupied the chair and there were about eighty present. The hall had been specially decorated for the occasion and looked exceedingly bright as the company sat down to a first-class supper which was served in first-class style by the Society’s purveying department under Mr Ewing. In his opening remarks, the chairman alluded to the fact that the Society was now thirty-one years of age. Recalling the occasion of its birth, he spoke of the efforts of Mr Thomas Miller who was still a member and who had striven so loyally at the time to convince the community of the advantages of cooperation by borrowing a rule book from a neighbouring Society and calling a meeting in which was then known as Gemmell’s School, Princes Lane.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 29 November 1901
This is the opening paragraph of a longer report.

27 November 1901
ARDROSSAN CASTLE CURLING CLUB LEGACY
At a meeting of Ardrossan Castle Curling Club on Wednesday week (27 November 1901), the Club expressed and decided to record its sympathy with Mrs Boyd and family on the bereavement they have sustained in the death of Mr John Boyd, one of the oldest members of the Club and who, prior to his death, was its honorary president.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 6 December 1901

George

[George Ardrossan]

28 NOVEMBER

28 November 1902
FALL FROM A TRAIN
Last Friday evening (28 November 1902), shortly after the 7.15 train from Saint Enoch’s had left South Beach Station, the railway officials observed a man lying on the ground, apparently injured. He was removed to the waiting room and it was observed that he had received serious injuries to his face. The police having been communicated with, they had him removed to the police station where he was medically attended to. Subsequentally, he game the name of Alexander Smith, a clerk, residing in Glasgow.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 5 December 1902

George

[Penny Tray]

THE ST. JOHN, NEWFOUNDLAND, 'EVENING TELEGRAPH
28 NOVEMBER 1899

THE 'LUCERNE' ARRIVES

The S.S. LUCERNE, Captain W G Cross, arrived this morning at 10.15 o'clock. She left Ardrossan on Saturday, the 18th inst., and experienced fair weather for most of the passage. Strong north-west winds prevailed for a day or two. Yesterday a large iceberg was seen about 100 miles from here. The ship has a slight list to starboard.

She brought 1,980 tons of coal for the Coastal Company.

[down south]

28TH NOVEMBER 1924

Changed days:

The Merchants' Association of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston at their annual meeting voted on whether they should close on Christmas Day instead of having a holiday in November or January, but agreed not to observe Christmas Day as a holiday.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 28th November 1924

Susan

[George Ardrossan]

29 NOVEMBER

29 November 1898
ARDROSSAN MEN CONVICTED OF HEN STEALING
At Kilmarnock Sheriff Court yesterday (1 December 1898), a general dealer of Princes Lane, a labourer of Winton Street and a labourer of Auld Shipyard, all in Ardrossan, were charged between 29 and 30 November broken into a hen loft on the farm of Whitlees, Ardrossan, occupied by William Hogarth and taken therefrom ten hens and a cock. It appeared that the accused had, on the night mentioned, gained access to the hen loft by climbing on to the roof of a potato shed, along the roof of a stable where they forced open a skylight window and passed through into the loft. The fowls were valued at 27s 6d. The general dealer and the first labourer, having been previously convicted of theft, were each sentenced to sixty days imprisonment. The other labourer was sentenced to twenty one days.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 2 December 1898

29 November 1901
ARDROSSAN SOLICITOR BECOMES MEMBER OF INCORPORATED SOCIETY OF LAW AGENTS OF SCOTLAND COUNCIL
Mr Thomas Kirkhope, solicitor, Ardrossan has been selected a member of Council of the Incorporated Society of Law Agents of Scotland.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 29 November 1901

29 November 1901
SABBATH SCHOOL PRESENTATION
On the occasion of his marriage, Mr James Glendinning was made the recipient of a teacher’s bible and hymnary by the Sabbath School teachers of Saint John’s, Ardrossan.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 29 November 1901

George

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
29 NOVEMBER 1937

SEQUEL TO ARDROSSAN CYCLIST'S DEATH
POLICE SEARCH FOR DRIVER OF STOLEN CAR

The police are engaged in an extensive search for the driver of a car which was stolen from Dockhead Street, Saltcoats on Friday afternoon, and was discovered damaged and abandoned on the Ardrossan/West Kilbride Road, about half a mile distant from the place where at 5.10 p.m. on that day a cyclist was found lying injured and unconscious beside his wrecked cycle.

The cyclist, THOMAS BOWER, (17), 11 Young Street, Ardrossan died on Saturday morning without have regained consciousness.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
22 NOVEMBER 1852

ARDROSSAN - FATAL ACCIDENT AT DOCKS

In summer, operations were commenced to enlarge the dry dock here, so as to admit large vessels for repair.

The operatives, masons, and labourers, still continue their labours; and on Wednesday, while one of the latter, James Scoullar, was clearing away some rubbish from a part that had been undermined, the mass above gave way, and fell upon him and another worker.

They were both quickly extricated, and put into a cab to be conveyed to their residences in Saltcoats.

Scoullar, we regret to add, died ere reaching home. His remains were delivered to a young wife, to whom he was only married last summer.

The other man is expected to recover.

[George Ardrossan]

30 NOVEMBER

30 November 1883 - 130 years ago today
CONSECRATION OF SAINT ANDREW’S CHURCH, ARDROSSAN

On Friday 30 November - Saint Andrew’s Day - the Church of Saint Andrew, Ardrossan (shown above in 2007) was consecrated by the Right Reverend, the Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway. The Bishop and Clergy entered the church at twelve o’clock noon by the vestry door and took up their places on the chancel steps after which Dr R Beedie Robertson, one of the original trustees and vestrymen of the church, presented to the Bishop, on behalf of his co-trustees and vestrymen, a petition praying that the church might duly be consecrated to the service of God. After the petition had been read by the Reverend M B Hutchison of Saint Ninian’s Glasgow, one of the Bishop’s chaplains, his Lordship intimated his pleasure in acceding to the prayer of the petition. The Bishop and clergy walked slowly down the centre of the church to the west door then slowly retraced their steps, repeating as they went, in alternative verses with the congregation, the twenty-fourth psalm. On entering the chancel the Bishop seated himself in his chair when Dr R Beedie Robertson, on behalf of the Earl of Eglinton, one of the original trustees and founders of the church and the donor of the land, who was prevented from being present by the death of his brother, the honourable Seton Montgomerie, presented the Bishop the titles of the church property which the Bishop laid upon the holy table and, turning to the congregation, began the consecration service. At a particular part of the service, the Dean of the diocese read the sentence of consecration and placed it upon the holy table where it was signed by the Bishop in presence of the people. After this the Bishop, kneeling down, said “O thou, the High and Lofty one who inhabitest eternity, who are exalted far above all heavens and yet has declared that thou dwellest with the contrite and humble spirits on earth, grant, we beseech thee, that this house which we have now presumed to dedicate to thee by our office and ministry may also be hallowed as thy temple of old was hallowed by the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost and so forever continue through thy mercy, O blessed Lord God who dost live and govern all things, world without end, Amen. Then followed the order for morning prayer, read by the incumbent, the Reverend Robert Mordue, the first special lesson from the Old Testament being read by the Reverend W L Low, Largs, the second from the New Testament by the Reverend W L Gallacher, Girvan, the litany being read by the Reverend M B Hutchison. The Very Reverend, the Dean of Glasgow and Galloway, then entered the pulpit and preached from the sixth verse of the one hundred and twenty-second psalm - “O pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper and love thee.”. After pointing out what a noble object of interest Jerusalem with its temple was to God’s people of old as a channel of grace and blessing to them and showing that all the tokens of his presence there vouchsaved by God to his people were but times and shadows of those good things which we Christians enjoy. The preacher then said “First, let me refer, for a few moments to the service in which we have engaged this day and which, I am sure, will tend to add solemnity to your feelings when you enter these now hallowed walls. One Saint Andrew’s Day saw the foundation of this building laid. Another saw the building opened under the Bishop’s licence for public worship but even then, on account of the encumbrances on the building, circumstances might have arisen in which it might have been diverted from the sacred purpose for which it was erected but now, through the blessing of God on your exertions, these encumbrances have been removed, the surroundings have been completed to fence it from desecration and all put into such a state that you are enabled to ask your Bishop on this Saint Andrew’s Day to consecrate it to the honour of God’s great name separating it henceforth from all unhallowed, ordinary and common uses and dedicating it to his service only. This must be at once a source of gratification and thankfulness to those who have interested themselves in this work and it will secure its being preserved always for the sacred purposes for which it is dedicated as a house of God. May it be to all who enter here truly a house of God and the gate of heaven. May you daily avail yourselves of the opportunities and means which shall, in God’s name, be offered here to worship God and obtain his grace and may the fruits of all be seen abundantly in your daily life and conversation. May those among whom you live, when they take knowledge of you, own a truth that you have been with Jesus and all to the glory of God.”. The very reverend gentleman then pointed out that this psalm teaches the way in which we may most effectually manifest the depth and sincerity of our love to the Church of God and help on the gracious work which God instituted his church to accomplish in the world, namely the sanctifications and the final salvation of mankind. “David’s feelings”, he said “manifested themselves in prayer for the cultivation of peace and unity, not that peace that is popularly understood, but that peace which leads to Christ to agree in the truth of God’s holy word and live in unity and godly love.”. In speaking of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the preacher said “The church may seem a small body in this land. Once it was otherwise. It was the church of the nation but for political reasons at the period of the revolution, the government of the day saw it fit to deprive it of its temporalities. It was disestablished and disendowed. Government could not, however, deprive it from its original powers which came from God and though the state may confer on the church temporal benefits and, if it pleases, may take them away it cannot deprive it of the divine mission or spiritual authority. Resting on their divine mission, our bishops and clergy of the day took quietly the spoiling of their goods and continued to minister in holy things to those who, in this land, adhere to Evangelic truth and Apostolic order. We, their successors, continue to do the same. Owing to the severity of the penal laws enacted against the church in the last century, the members adhering to it became, in the course of time, greatly diminished and our bishops and clergy few and greatly depressed. Better days have begun to dawn on the church. Many have been awakened to a sense of truth and have been gathered in and the number of its members increases so I trust they will do and, maybe hope that in God’s good providence, the time may come when our sad divisions be healed and all may be united into one body in Christ then would the glory of God be prompted by the hearty cooperation of all against evil and unbelief. God’s cause and God’s truth would be more fully advanced and sin and sorrow and suffering more effectually restrained and lessened.”. There was a celebration of the holy communion which as well as the consecration service was well attended. The offertory for incidental expenses and some recent repairs on the church was liberal. Thus has been completed the work begun by the Episcopal Church in West Kilbride Chapel in the year 1851, carried on with varying success till 1872, finally organised then and removed to Ardrossan on Whitsunday,1 June 1873. In addition to the splendid communion vessels belonging to Saint Andrew’s, a miniature set which is used in the licensed chapel in West Kilbride appeared in the chancel and the only special adornment which of the church for the day was a beautiful floral cross of white camellias and chrysanthemums on a ground of maiden hairfern which was suspended from the centre of the wall behind the holy table. After the service, the Trustees and Vestry entertained the clergy and such members of the congregation and friends of Saint Andrew’s Church as were able to be present at lunchtime in the Eglinton Arms Hotel.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 7 December 1883

30 November 1888
ARDROSSAN BAND OF HOPE
This band has been holding its meetings weekly in the Ardrossan Free Church. There is always a big attendance, the children themselves contributing largely in reading and singing to the work. We are informed there will be tonight (30 November 1888) a special limelight entertainment of an interesting character in the same church at seven o’clock. Parents and friends will be made welcome and we hope will turn out well to encourage the children and the work.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 30 November 1888

30 November 1891
ARDROSSAN BOYS FINED FOR THROWING MUD
At the Burgh Court on Monday (30 November 1891), before Provost Hogarth and Bailie Young, four boys were charged with throwing mud in Glasgow Street, Ardrossan to the danger and annoyance of passengers. They were convicted and three who were old offenders were fined five shillings and the fourth two shillings and sixpence.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 4 December 1891

30 November 1893
SALE AT CALEDONIAN HOTEL, ARDROSSAN
Last Thursday (30 November 1893), the furniture and furnishings of the Caledonian Hotel (shown below as Kilmahew House in 1978) were exposed for sale. Mr Bennett acted as auctioneer and carried through the sale in a most successful manner. The prices realised were good.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 8 December 1893

30 November 1900
ARDROSSAN DONATION TO IMBECILE CHILDREN
The sum of £12 10s has this week been forwarded from Ardrossan to the Scottish National Institution for the Education of Imbecile Children at Larbert. The treasurer of the Institution, in acknowledging the contribution, warmly thanks the contributors, lady collectors and local honorary treasurer for their generosity and services. This institution is doing a noble work and well deserves the sympathy and support of the public.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 30 November 1900

30 November 1900
A ROYAL DIVORCE IN ARDROSSAN
On Saturday evening last (30 November 1900), the above historical drama was presented in the Assembly Hall, Ardrossan. There was a crowed house. As the Empress Josephine, Miss Mary Hardacre was a powerful leading character while as the Little Artillery Man who makes his appearance in the place on an Emperor desiring to divorce his Empress ‘for the good of France’, Mr Alfred Wellesley was decidedly successful and he enjoys peculiar advantages in the representation of the part of Napoleon. There are five acts, the last being the scene of Napoleon’s departure from Plymouth for his lonely prison on the Helena. Throughout the entire play, the close attention of the audience was held and the several parts were ably sustained.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 7 December 1900

George

[down south]

30TH NOVEMBER 1874

It won't be a coincidence that the foundation stone of St Andrew's Church was also first laid on St Andrew's Day:

The foundation stone of St Andrew's Episcopal Church, Ardrossan, was laid on Monday ( 30th November ) , Lady Eglinton performing the ceremony in the presence of a large gathering.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 5th December 1874

I should think construction must have been delayed at some point thereafter, for it to be only ready for consecration nine years later.

Susan

[George Ardrossan]

1 DECEMBER

1 December 1893
GOOD PRICES AT MILL FARM, ARDROSSAN
Good prices were got at the Mill Farm (shown below in 2002) sale in Ardrossan Parish last week. Implements, cattle, corn stacks and everything exposed commanded what may be reckoned as really good prices. The corn and wheat stacks were at prices £2 to £4 above the estimates made by farmers on the spot before the sale, the corn stacks realising £14 to £16 and the wheat stacks £17 to £20.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 1 December 1893

1 December 1897
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - REUNION OF NATIVES OF SALTCOATS AND ARDROSSAN NOW LIVING IN GLASGOW
Sir
Will you kindly allow me a small space in your valuable paper to bring before your readers in Glasgow a subject that I’m surprised was not been spoken of before - a reunion of the natives of Saltcoats and Ardrossan? It is well-known that our happiest days are spent in our youth but for those who have had to leave home and come to town, they have only the recollection of earlier years. Should auld acquaintance be forgot? I certainly say no and it is for this reason that I now write to you proposing the above whereby we could meet occasionally and so keep up the friendships of earlier years. I notice that with much regret that the people from Saltcoats and Ardrossan seem to drift apart from one another when coming to town whereas it ought to be quite the reverse. After the famous men both Saltcoats and Ardrossan have produced, it surely cannot be said that it is from want of enterprise or energy that a reunion has not been formed before now. Trusting to hear through the medium of your columns the views of others on this subject.
I am
George Tait
Glasgow, 1 December 1897
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 10 December 1897

1 December 1898
ARDROSSAN MEN CONVICTED OF HEN STEALING
At Kilmarnock Sheriff Court yesterday (1 December 1898), a general dealer of Princes Lane, a labourer of Winton Street and a labourer of Auld Shipyard, all in Ardrossan, were charged between 29 and 30 November broken into a hen loft on the farm of Whitlees, Ardrossan, occupied by William Hogarth and taken therefrom ten hens and a cock. It appeared that the accused had, on the night mentioned, gained access to the hen loft by climbing on to the roof of a potato shed, along the roof of a stable where they forced open a skylight window and passed through into the loft. The fowls were valued at 27s 6d. The general dealer and the first labourer, having been previously convicted of theft, were each sentenced to sixty days imprisonment. The other labourer was sentenced to twenty one days.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 2 December 1898

1 December 1899
ARDROSSAN LODGE OF FREE GARDENERS SOCIAL
The annual social of the Ardrossan Lodge of Free Gardeners take place tonight (1 December 1899).
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 1 December 1899

1 December 1899
ARDROSSAN CAT GOES FISHING
Mr Holland, market gardener, Ardrossan has a cat of distinctly original tastes. Instead of being content with hunting the domestic mouse, this feline goes a-fishing in the Stanley Burn (shown below in 2002). Trout and eel are alike acceptable to the piscatorial puss.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 1 December 1899

1 December 1902
ARDROSSAN CAPTAIN’S ROUGH PASSAGE
Captain John Nichol junior, Ardrossan, skipper of the barque Duns Law arrived at Hull on Monday (1 December 1902) from Vancouver with a cargo of wheat after a somewhat eventful voyage. When the Duns Law left British Columbia in May last, it had to encounter adverse winds which prolonged its passage considerably. The weather was at its worst when the barque was off Cape Horn and the lands as far as the eye could see was covered with snow while the cold was intense. The Duns Law called at Queenstown for orders and when approaching that port, Captain Nichol had to exercise great caution on account of a strong gale which was blowing. The Cork Examiner, in referring to the Duns Law’s arrival at Queenstown, remarks that its commander had a trying experience on this his first voyage as captain but that he safely steered his barque through all its difficulties. Captain John Nichol is a son of Captain Nichol, Ardrossan.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 5 December 1902

George

[down south]

1ST DECEMBER 1973

On this day, Ardrossan Town Council created its first ( and presumably only ? )Honorary Burgess; former Provost William Currie. You can read more about this event here.

2ND DECEMBER 1948

Gale damage at Ardrossan:

On Thursday afternoon ( 2nd December ) last week at the height of the gale, the tremendous seas caused a 50ft breach in the sea wall at Ardrossan Harbour near the lighthouse.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 10th December 1948

Susan

[George Ardrossan]

2 DECEMBER

2 December 1894
DEDICATION OF MEMORIAL WINDOW
In Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Ardrossan, on Sabbath last (2 December 1894), the new memorial window recently erected in this church and referred to in our last issue, was dedicated by the Bishop of Glasgow. There was a very good attendance. The dedication was simple but impressive. After the dedication, the Bishop, reading from Romans XIII, 13-14, made appropriate and profitable references to the leading characteristics of Saint Andrew to whom the church is dedicated. The music was good and the entire service beautifully harmonious.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 7 December 1894

2 December 1898
NEW ARDROSSAN TO STEVENSTON RAILWAY?
Emissaries for a light railway undertaken between Ardrossan and Stevenston have been interviewing local officials.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 2 December 1898

2 December 1898
ARDROSSAN SNOWFLAKE AMATEUR MINSTRELS IN THE SANATORIUM
The Ardrossan Snowflake Amateur Minstrels are booked to spend hogmany at the Sanatorium, Seamill. They are to be entertainers, not patients.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 2 December 1898

2 December 1901
ARDROSSAN YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
A social meeting under the auspices of the Ardrossan Young Men’s Christian Association was held on Monday evening (2 December 1901). It was enjoyable and very profitable.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 6 December 1901

2 December 1902
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - ARDROSSAN’S NEW INDUSTRY
Trevalyan Hotel
Leeds
2 December 1902
Dear Sir
As an Ardrossan man who has been out of it for a few years, it is very gratifying to find you have a new industry in the place. In a large shop in Boar Lane here, I notice a special line of ladies’ jackets all bearing the label ‘Real Ardrossan Tweed’. It made me quite proud of my native place and I look forward to seeing a similar label in the windows of some of our Scottish City shops on my return.
Yours truly
Ardrossanian
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 5 December 1902

George